Talent Acquisition and Training Manager

Are you a dynamic and motivated professional, experienced in managing the full talent acquisition lifecycle and staff training and development?  If so, Democracy Forward needs you.  We are in need of a talented self-starter with strong interpersonal and relationship building skills to work closely with our hiring managers in the sourcing, selecting, and onboarding of talent and  the development of ongoing training and development programs to meet the needs of a dynamic, diverse, and growing team. We are in search of a candidate who can perform all duties while demonstrating behaviors and attitudes that are consistent with the mission, vision and values of the organization.

This position is full-time. Democracy Forward’s office is located in Washington, DC. While this position offers flexibility to work remotely, it requires regular in-office presence eight (8) times per month (averaging about 2-3 times per week) to effectively support the nature of the role.

This position will report to the organization’s Deputy Director for People, Culture and Operations  and work among and with all staff and departments in the organization.   

Recruiting Responsibilities: 

• Partner with senior management to assess current and future hiring needs, providing insights and forecasts to support workforce planning and organizational growth.
• Leverage the applicant tracking system (ATS) to streamline and oversee the full recruitment lifecycle, ensuring a seamless experience for candidates and hiring teams.
• Partner with the Deputy Director for People, Culture, and Operations to develop, facilitate, and implement all phases of the recruitment process.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director for People, Culture, and Operations to identify and implement efficient and effective recruiting methods and strategies tailored to the organization's needs.
• Ensure we have rigorous recruiting and hiring methods and strategies that promote equity and diversity within our talent pool and workforce
• Review applications and screen candidates to identify top talent that aligns with organizational needs and values.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as organizational policies, ensuring all recruitment and hiring practices are equitable and consistent.

Training Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Deputy Director for People, Culture, and Operations to ensure compliance with state-required training mandates, including anti-harassment, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and workplace safety.
• Support legal staff in the development and tracking of continuing legal education accreditation (CLE) requirements while aligning with broader organizational training initiatives.
• Conduct training needs assessments to identify organizational gaps and collaborate with leadership to prioritize and address those needs.
• Partner with organizational leaders and subject matter experts to design, recommend, and implement training programs tailored to departmental and organizational goals.
• Stay informed of methods, techniques, and compliance training requirements applicable to various professions, ensuring the organization remains in compliance with legal and industry standards.
• Monitor and evaluate training milestones and goals, ensuring progress is aligned with organizational priorities.

Onboarding Responsibilities:

• Work in conjunction with the Operations Manager to ensure smooth setup of operational needs, including IT, workspace, and access credentials.
• Serve as a point of contact for new hires during the onboarding process to address questions and provide guidance.
• Continuously evaluate and improve the onboarding process to enhance the new hire experience and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Typical Minimum Work Experience and Education (Qualifications) 

• 5-8 years of work experience in talent acquisition and professional training and/or adult learning.  Individuals with a greater number of years of experience are also encouraged to apply
• Work experience in a mission-based organization and/or working with mission-based projects 
• Experience contributing to an organizational culture of equity, justice, and inclusion 
• Experience working with organizational leadership

Typical Functional Experience (Qualifications)

• Must have exceptional attention to detail, demonstrated trustworthiness, and leadership skills 
• Strong organizational and time management skills, and ability to prioritize
• Must be a self-starter and driven
• Must demonstrate a commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion within the workplace 
• Must demonstrate a commitment to the organization’s mission and values of advancing democratic values and achieving social progress 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong problem-solving skills and analytical abilities
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and Google products
• Experience in human resource functions is a plus
• Organization and the ability to multitask to complete a wide variety of tasks and flexibility to help them adjust to new tasks should company or office needs change
• Experience with Greenhouse ATS preferred but not required

 The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $100,000 commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. 

Democracy Forward is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage people of color; lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities; and veterans to apply. Please note that all lawyer positions require a law degree and active membership in the bar of a state or the District of Columbia. 

Not sure you meet all of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement.  If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to mission-based legal and policy work, returning to work after a gap in employment, or simply looking to transition or take the next step in your career path, we welcome the opportunity to have you on our radar.  Please include in your cover letter the nature of your interest in legal and policy work promoting democracy and progress and what you hope to bring to our team and the role for which you are applying.