First Search Inc. · 2 hours ago
Workforce Development Specialist
Little Rock, AR
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expFirst Search Inc. is focused on optimizing talent acquisition and workforce development. The Workforce Development Specialist will design and improve systems for hiring, developing, and managing talent to support business outcomes.
Staffing & Recruiting
Hiring Manager
Sarah Katz
Responsibilities
Own the effectiveness and quality of the hiring system—not just requisitions
Partner with leaders to define role requirements, success profiles, and hiring priorities
Improve quality of hire through structured interviewing, assessments, and selection tools
Optimize recruiting workflows, including:
Workforce planning inputs
Time-to-fill and candidate experience
Hiring manager capability and consistency
Establish metrics for hiring effectiveness (e.g., early turnover, ramp time, performance at 6–12 months)
Ensure recruiting decisions align with long-term capability and performance needs—not short-term headcount only
Ensure employees have the skills, knowledge, and leadership capacity needed to perform and grow
Design and manage workforce development frameworks, including:
Core skill models
Leadership competencies
Career pathways and progression guides
Lead or support:
Onboarding effectiveness and ramp-up programs
Individual Development Plans (IDPs)
Leadership and supervisor development initiatives
Identify skill gaps and future capability needs using performance data and workforce trends
Partner with leaders to build internal bench strength and reduce critical role risk
Ensure performance systems drive accountability, clarity, and improvement
Own the design and continuous improvement of:
Performance review cycles
Goal-setting frameworks
Feedback and coaching expectations
Ensure performance processes are:
Clear and usable by leaders
Consistent across teams
Aligned to business priorities
Analyze performance trends to identify:
High performers
Development needs
Systemic issues affecting productivity or engagement
Support leaders in managing performance issues early and effectively
Turn people data into actionable insights
Track and analyze key talent metrics, such as:
Quality of hire
Turnover and retention patterns
Internal mobility
Performance distribution
Development participation and outcomes
Create dashboards and summaries that help leaders make informed decisions
Use data to evaluate what’s working—and what needs adjustment—across hiring, development, and performance systems
Act as a trusted partner to leaders at multiple levels
Equip leaders with:
Clear tools and guidance
Practical frameworks for hiring, developing, and managing people
Coach managers on:
Interviewing and selection
Goal setting and feedback
Performance conversations
Ensure talent processes are understood, adopted, and applied consistently
Ensure talent systems work together—not in silos
Align recruiting, development, and performance processes into a single talent lifecycle
Identify friction points, duplication, or inefficiencies
Pilot improvements, gather feedback, and scale what works
Ensure programs remain practical, relevant, and aligned to evolving business needs
Qualification
Required
Experience in talent acquisition optimization and workforce development
Ability to design and manage workforce development frameworks
Strong understanding of performance management systems
Proficiency in talent analytics and insights
Experience in leader enablement and partnership
Ability to ensure continuous improvement and system integration
Strong analytical skills to track and analyze key talent metrics
Experience in coaching leaders on interviewing, goal setting, and performance conversations
Ability to identify skill gaps and future capability needs using performance data
Experience in creating dashboards and summaries for informed decision-making
Company
First Search Inc.
For over 40 years, First Search has transformed how companies hire (and how candidates get selected) with results that outpace the industry norms for companies like Motorola, T-Mobile, Pulte Homes, Fluor Corporation, and Salesforce partners.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Allen Katz
Chief Employment Officer (CEO)
Company data provided by crunchbase