George Mason University · 1 month ago
Executive Recruiter, Talent Acquisition
Fairfax, VA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
7+ years expGeorge Mason University, Virginia’s largest R1 public research institution, invites experienced executive recruitment professionals to join our expanding Talent Acquisition team in a pivotal new role. The Executive Recruiter will play a foundational role in building and advancing this new initiative, working closely with senior leadership to design, implement, and grow a strategic search service.
Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
Lead strategic discovery with executives and committees to clarify priorities, success profiles, and inclusive selection criteria; and
Advise on position descriptions, evaluation rubrics, interview design, and reference/credentialing approaches
Build and maintain talent maps across higher education, public sector, and relevant industries; and
Proactively source passive talent through research, networking, associations, referrals, and appropriate tools (e.g., LinkedIn Recruiter, CRM/ATS pipelines)
Assess candidates against role outcomes and leadership competencies; deliver curated shortlists (recommended candidate groups) with clear strengths and risks; and
Conduct structured references and due diligence in partnership with HR and hiring authorities
Guide committees on equitable, compliant selection practices and interview discipline; coordinate briefings, debriefs, and consensus-building; and
Collaborate with Faculty Affairs/Provost on academic leadership searches to align governance and timelines
Manage the complete search lifecycle: kickoff, sourcing, evaluation, interviews, finalist management, offer negotiation support, and onboarding transition; and
Track key metrics such as time-to-shortlist, time-to-offer, candidate experience outcomes, and recommended pool diversity
Design and refine George Mason University’s in-house executive search playbook, templates, and training (intake guides, structured interview kits, committee education); and
Coach HR and TA colleagues and HR liaisons to ensure consistency, speed, and quality
Represent George Mason University authentically and credibly within the executive talent market; and
Cultivate ongoing pipelines and communities for future leadership needs while protecting confidentiality
Recommend enhancements to reduce cycle time, strengthen assessment quality, and improve candidate and stakeholder experience; and
Maintain meticulous records in the ATS and ensure compliance
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience
Significant professional recruiting experience (typically seven or more years), with considerable experience (typically three or more years) focused on director-level and above (or academic leadership equivalents)
Demonstrated success delivering complex, confidential searches with multiple stakeholders and committees
Strong consulting skills: facilitating intake, aligning diverse viewpoints, and influencing decisions with data and judgment
Expertise in advanced sourcing (market mapping, passive outreach, research) and building/finalizing candidate shortlists
Proficiency with modern ATS/CRM systems (PageUp experience a plus) and recruiting research tools
Knowledge of federal/state EEO requirements and inclusive selection practices
Exceptional writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills; impeccable discretion
Preferred
Professional certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, AESC-related training) welcomed
Executive search firm background or higher-education executive recruiting experience; large public sector or complex, matrixed organization experience strongly valued
Experience building or scaling an in-house executive recruiting function
Experience partnering with compensation on senior-level offers and employment agreements
Familiarity with academic leadership structures, shared governance, and faculty affairs processes
Benefits
Comprehensive healthcare options
State retirement programs
Tuition benefits
Company
George Mason University
George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$0.68MKey Investors
National Safety CouncilNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyVirginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
2025-06-25Grant· $0.05M
2024-04-03Grant· $0.2M
2023-08-03Grant· $0.07M
Leadership Team
Bassam Haddad
Director, Middle East and Islamic Studies Program
Ellen Laipson
Director, International Security Program
Recent News
2025-11-15
American Institutes for Research
2025-11-05
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