Director, Talent Acquisition

Our Company

We believe Running Changes Everything . If you believe that, too, we want to talk. With more than 280 stores and a robust e-commerce site, Fleet Feet is the largest running retailer in the country. Catering to more than runners, we pride ourselves on having an inclusive environment! We believe it's a privilege to serve and to deliver unmatched service and support when outfitting every customer. We run together to solve problems, reach goals, encourage others and champion our brand.

Overview

The Director, Talent Acquisition will lead how Fleet Feet attracts, hires, and grows great people across our stores, distribution center, and corporate teams. This role is about more than filling positions - it's about building the teams that power our people-first culture and support the next phase of Fleet Feet’s growth.

We're looking for a strategic, hands‑on leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and knows how to balance big‑picture thinking with day‑to‑day execution. This person will partner closely with leaders across the business to understand talent needs, strengthen our employer brand, and create hiring strategies that help us find exceptional people who connect with our purpose and values.

The Director will lead and develop the Talent Acquisition team while creating an inclusive, high‑quality candidate experience that reflects who we are as a company. They'll use data insights, workforce trends, and relationship‑building to proactively develop pipelines and scalable hiring practices that support Fleet Feet today and as we continue to grow.

This is a hybrid position based in Carrboro, NC, with an expectation of working in the office three days per week. Candidates must currently live within commuting distance or be willing to relocate to the area.

Responsibilities

Strategic Workforce Planning & Partnership

• Partner with VP, Human Resources, HR leadership, and business leaders to develop forward-looking workforce plans aligned to business growth and market trends
• Partner with HR and business leaders to strengthen internal mobility and career pathway strategies
• Anticipate talent needs by analyzing labor market data, industry trends, and internal workforce insights
• Advise leadership on talent availability and hiring strategies to enable business goals
• Translate business strategy into scalable, proactive recruiting plans across retail and corporate functions
• Communicate effectively by understanding the business and audiences and proactively sharing clear, timely information to build alignment and trust across teams

Talent Acquisition Strategy & Employer Brand

• Define and execute a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy that strengthens Fleet Feet’s position as an employer of choice
• Lead employer branding initiatives to attract high-quality, diverse talent across multiple channels
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships (community, university, industry) to develop talent pipelines
• Oversee innovative sourcing strategies that are proactive, data-driven, and aligned with future workforce needs

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, develop, and inspire the Talent Acquisition team, setting clear vision, goals, and performance expectations
• Lead team with their continued capability in strategic sourcing, consultative partnership, and inclusive hiring practices
• Coach hiring managers and leaders across the organization to elevate interviewing and selection effectiveness
• Foster a culture of accountability and ownership, continuous improvement, and exceptional service delivery.

Recruiting Operations & Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end recruiting operations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and scalability across all hiring
• Establish and monitor key performance metrics (e.g., time-to-fill, quality of hire, candidate experience, source effectiveness)
• Drive continuous improvement of recruiting processes, systems, and technologies (ATS, onboarding platforms, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, policies, and best practices

Inclusive Hiring & Belonging

• Lead strategies that embed belonging and inclusion throughout the talent acquisition lifecycle
• Expand outreach efforts and partnerships to attract a broad and diverse candidate pool
• Ensure equitable and consistent hiring practices across all levels of the organization
• Champion initiatives (e.g., internship programs, community engagement) that increase access to opportunities

Hiring, Onboarding & Experience

• Ensure a seamless, high-quality candidate and hiring manager experience from sourcing through onboarding
• Oversee offer processes, ensuring alignment with compensation strategy and internal equity
• Partner cross‑functionally to deliver effective onboarding experiences that drive early engagement and retention

Data, Insights & Innovation

• Leverage data to inform decision‑making and continuously improve hiring outcomes
• Provide regular insights and reporting to leadership on talent trends, risks, and opportunities
• Stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to evolve the TA function
• Evaluate and implement emerging recruiting technologies, AI-enabled sourcing tools, and automation strategies that improve efficiency
• Identify and implement innovative tools and strategies to enhance recruiting effectiveness and scalability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive talent acquisition experience, including team leadership
• Proven experience developing and executing talent strategies in a high‑