Talent Acquisition Specialist

Position Summary:

Are you a dynamic and motivated professional, experienced in managing the full talent acquisition lifecycle? If so, Democracy Forward Foundation (“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. 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 Talent Acquisition Manager and work among and with all staff and departments in the organization.  

Key Responsibilities

• Leverage our applicant tracking system (Greenhouse) to streamline and manage the full recruitment lifecycle, ensuring a seamless experience for candidates and hiring teams.
• Review a high volume of applications and screen candidates to identify top talent that aligns with organizational needs and values.
• Partner with the Talent Acquisition Manager to develop, facilitate, and implement all phases of the recruitment process.
• Collaborate with the Talent Acquisition Manager to identify and implement effective recruiting strategies that are tailored to the organization's needs and promote equity and diversity within our talent pool and workforce.
• Develop and maintain relationships with hiring managers and guide them through the recruitment process.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as organizational policies, ensuring all recruitment and hiring practices are equitable and consistent.
• Regularly collect and analyze data on our talent acquisition efforts in order to ensure continuous improvement.
• Work in conjunction with the People and Culture team to ensure smooth handoff of new hires during the onboarding process.

Qualifications:

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet 100% of the qualifications listed. If you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our team, we encourage you to apply.

• 5+ years of work experience in the talent acquisition field.
• Proven success managing high-volume recruiting across multiple departments.
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s mission and values of advancing democratic values and achieving social progress.
• Experience contributing to an organizational culture of equity, belonging, and inclusion. 
• Exceptional attention to detail, demonstrated trustworthiness, and ability to take initiative.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, and ability to prioritize.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and analytical abilities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google products.
• Work experience in a mission-based organization and/or working with mission-based projects is preferred.
• Experience in human resource functions is a plus.
• Experience with Greenhouse ATS and Notion is preferred but not required.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• This role may require occasional travel for team retreats, conferences, or organizational meetings.
• This role may involve sitting for extended periods and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed.

The salary range for this position is $80,000-$95,000 plus excellent benefits. Compensation is commensurate with experience. 

Democracy Forward Foundation 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; LGBTQIA+ 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.