Senior Recruiter

Description

Position at MTA Headquarters

This position is eligible for teleworking , which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.   

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

Take ownership of the end-to-end recruitment process for key positions across the organization, driving talent acquisition strategies, assisting with building high-performing teams, and filling hard-to-fill and critical positions. You will work closely with senior leadership and hiring managers to understand business needs and identify exceptional talent. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in recruitment, a deep understanding of talent acquisition trends, and strong leadership skills. Additionally, the incumbent will partner with various stakeholders in the People Department and business units to source and fill managerial, administrative, operational, and/or skilled craft positions, which are both represented and non-represented positions.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle including sourcing, prescreening, interviewing, and hiring for a range of positions, inclusive of executive-level roles, to attract and secure top-tier talent across the organization.
• Partner with agency leadership and hiring managers to define staffing needs, job requirements, and candidate profiles.
• Develop and implement innovative recruitment strategies to attract top-tier talent, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Source candidates using a variety of advanced techniques, including social media, networking, headhunting, industry-specific job boards, and Boolean searches.
• Manage candidates and maintain accurate records in the Applicant Tracking System in accordance with departmental guidelines and SLAs. Track talent pipeline and shortlist candidates for future organizational needs.
• Conduct in-depth interviews, assess candidates, and provide expert recommendations to hiring managers.
• Facilitate and manage high-level interviews, including negotiating offers and ensuring a positive candidate experience.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior talent acquisition team members, support team training directives, and promote best practices and continuous improvement for the recruitment process.
• Analyze recruitment data and market trends to adjust strategies and improve overall hiring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with all organization policies, legal requirements, and industry standards throughout the hiring process.
• Maintain accurate candidate records in the applicant tracking system (ATS) and provide regular reporting on recruitment metrics and progress.
• Continuously assess and enhance the recruitment process to ensure a seamless and positive candidate experience.
• Attend at least two recruitment events per quarter (e.g., university fairs, networking events, or community partner initiatives) to promote the MTA, engage prospective candidates, build a talent pipeline, and strengthen the organization’s position as an employer of choice.
• Adhere to departmental Standard Operating Procedures and Policies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Coach and mentor junior-level staff, guiding daily recruitment activities and priorities.
• Lead the design, management, and execution of strategic talent acquisition initiatives and cross-functional projects to enhance recruitment effectiveness, elevate the candidate experience, and support overall talent strategy.
• Evaluate current recruitment processes and systems to identify gaps and opportunities for optimization, standardization, and innovation.
• Oversee end-to-end planning, timelines, stakeholder alignment, and execution of special projects within Talent Acquisition, ensuring timely delivery and measurable impact.
• Use data-driven insights to inform decisions, track project outcomes, and ensure alignment with broader workforce and organizational goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience in recruiting for senior-level, hard-to-fill, and niche roles across multiple departments/agencies.
• Expertise in sourcing, interviewing, and selecting candidates, with a deep understanding of talent acquisition best practices.
• Demonstrates emerging leadership skills with a willingness to learn how to support, guide, and collaborate with team members
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and build strong relationships.
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS), HR software, and recruitment tools.
• Ability to analyze recruitment data, identify trends, and apply insights to enhance recruitment strategies
• High level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of open requisitions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to create or generate ad-hoc recruitment reports upon request

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in  Human Resources or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from an accredited college may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 5 years related talent acquisition experience.

Other Information

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial

Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.