Director, Talent Acquistion in United State

About the Company

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

About the Role

The Director of Talent Acquisition leads the strategy, operations, and execution of all talent acquisition initiatives across the Institute. The Director is responsible for building a diverse and high-performing workforce by designing and implementing innovative, inclusive, and data-driven recruiting practices. The Director partners with leadership across academic and administrative units to attract top talent while enhancing the institution’s employer brand and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. In addition to leading the recruitment function, the Director oversees the institution’s employment-based immigration processes, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and supporting international faculty and staff throughout the visa and sponsorship lifecycle.

Requirements include a bachelor's degree in human resources, higher education administration, business, or related field, along with seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in talent acquisition or a related HR function, including three (3) or more years in a leadership role. Candidate must have experience managing employment-based immigration matters within higher education, healthcare, or other regulated environments is required. Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered. Familiarity with faculty recruitment and academic hiring practices strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, operations, and execution of all talent acquisition initiatives.
• Oversee the institution’s employment-based immigration processes.
• Support international faculty and staff throughout the visa and sponsorship lifecycle.
• Build a diverse and high-performing workforce.
• Design and implement innovative, inclusive, and data-driven recruiting practices.
• Partner with leadership across academic and administrative units to attract top talent.
• Enhance the institution’s employer brand.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Higher Education Administration, Business, or related field.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in talent acquisition or a related HR function.
• Three (3) or more years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing employment-based immigration matters within higher education, healthcare, or other regulated environments.
• Relevant combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• Familiarity with faculty recruitment and academic hiring practices strongly preferred.

Required Skills

• Expertise in employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant case management and employment sponsorship processes.
• Strong knowledge of federal employment and immigration regulations (e.g., Department of State, USCIS, DOL).
• Ability to work with external service and software vendors, such as immigration counsel, applicant tracking companies.
• Deep understanding of best practices and compliance matters in hiring (e.g., background checks, form I9, pre-employment physicals and the various laws and regulations surrounding them).
• Proven ability to lead inclusive hiring initiatives and manage complex recruitment processes.
• Experience with ATS and HRIS platforms (e.g., PageUp, Ellucian/Banner) and integrations among platforms.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire direct reports.

Pay range and compensation package

Expected hiring range: $135,000 - $160,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Benefits and more: Rensselaer’s Total Reward Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Equal Opportunity Statement

Rensselaer is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all, values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities. RPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.