Talent Sourcer, AI

Microsoft is hiring aTalent Sourcer AI to identify and engage the rare high-impact talent shaping the future of artificial intelligence. From research scientists to applied ML engineers this role partners directly with technical leaders to source individuals capable of driving breakthroughs in foundation models advanced reasoning systems and core AI infrastructure.

This is not traditional sourcing. We operate with urgency and autonomybalancing startup energy with Microsoft-scale resources. Our sourcing team executes in focused missions to solve hard hiring problems unlock high-bar pipelines and proactively identify talent beyond inbound channels or referrals. This is precision sourcing: research-led multi-channel and built for complexity.

If you thrive in technical ambiguity enjoy deep collaboration with AI scientists and engineers and bring energy to every searchthis role offers the opportunity to work at the leading edge of talent strategy in artificial intelligence.

This role is ideal for sourcers who see talent strategy as product strategythose who move fast go deep and are energized by solving complex technical searches at scale.

Microsofts mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect integrity and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a consultative partner to technical and research leaders across Microsoft influencing profile definition funnel design and prioritization.

• Present market insights search progress and candidate recommendations with clarity and confidence particularly in ambiguous or evolving searches.

• Drive rigor in calibration: challenge assumptions align early and advocate for sourcing approaches that optimize for long-term outcomes.

• Guide hiring teams toward inclusive and differentiated sourcing strategies.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Planning

• Conduct deep landscape analysis across global AI talent marketsmapping top labs research groups startups and open-source contributors.

• Build long-range pipelines around critical profiles using technical taxonomies publication review and trend-based forecasting.

• Collaborate cross-functionally on campaigns and outreach tied to Microsofts highest-priority AI initiatives.

• Identify gaps opportunities and competitive dynamics to continuously inform hiring strategy.

Outreach and Engagement

• Craft high-context personalized messaging that resonates with deeply technical audiencesanchored in the work not generic EVP.

• Engage talent through diverse channels: AMiner GitHub Arxiv academic networks niche communities and technical events.

• Represent Microsoft at key industry forums and conferences where applicable.

• Own early-funnel candidate experienceestablishing trust managing expectations and minimizing friction.

Talent Sourcing Expertise

• Design and execute research-forward sourcing strategies to surface rare highly specialized AI/ML talent.

• Contribute to sourcing missions that span 68 weeks with clear goals: mapped markets validated pipelines and calibrated submissions.

• Navigate multiple concurrent searches across evolving profiles with urgency and precision.

• Contribute to team learning and global connectivity through knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Use data to prioritize efforts monitor pipeline health and guide sourcing strategy.

• Track mid-funnel performance metrics (e.g. resume pass-through tech screen rates offer conversion) to refine approach.

• Leverage Microsofts sourcing tech stackCRM analytics and AI-enabled systemswhile identifying opportunities for optimization.

• Translate sourcing signals into clear actionable insights for planning and execution.

Other

• Embody our cultureand values

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree AND 4 years talent acquisition experience (e.g. recruiting sourcing) HR experience or industry experience related to role
  • OR equivalent experience.

Additional or preferred qualifications

• Bachelors Degree AND 8 years talent acquisition experience (e.g. recruiting sourcing) HR experience or industry experience related to role
  • OR Masters Degree AND 6 years talent acquisition experience (e.g. recruiting sourcing) HR experience or industry experience related to role
  • OR equivalent experience.

• 4 years of end-to-end talent sourcing experience

  4 years of experience analyzing talent market trends to consult hiring managers on recruiting strategies

  4 years of technical talent sourcing experience

  2 years of experience sourcing Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent

• Experience sourcing for frontier AI labs early-stage startups or technical teams building large-scale ML systems

• Deep familiarity with open-source and research ecosystems: GitHub Arxiv Hugging Face Stack Overflow and academic conferences (e.g. NeurIPS ICML CVPR)

• Proven success using Boolean/X-ray logic publication-based sourcing and outreach beyond traditional channels

• Comfort working in fast-paced dynamic environments where velocity experimentation and ownership are key

Talent Acquisition IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $86100 - $169800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $113300 - $187400 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
position will be open for a minimum of 5 days with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age ancestry citizenship color family or medical care leave gender identity or expression genetic information immigration status marital status medical condition national origin physical or mental disability political affiliation protected veteran or military status race ethnicity religion sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process read more about requesting accommodations.

Required Experience:

IC