Talent Sourcing Specialist (Contract)

Talent Sourcing SpecialistWe're seeking a driven Talent Sourcing Specialist to join our Handshake AI team partnering closely with the Growth team to own top-of-funnel recruiting. This is a high-volume, high-velocity role focused on sourcing and screening candidates for the Handshake AI Fellowship.Based in our San Francisco office, you'll identify and engage top talent across diverse domains, taking full ownership of your pipeline in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.Responsibilities include:Own top-of-funnel sourcing for the Growth team, partnering closely on role requirements, intake, and pipeline priorities.Source and engage passive talent through creative outreach, boolean search, research, and market mapping — with a focus on technical and STEM-background candidates.Provide market insights and strategic guidance, leveraging your close partnership with the team to advise on what's working, what isn't, and broader market trends.Conduct initial candidate screens and manage handoffs to the project teams.Track and report recruiting metrics, ensuring data integrity in Ashby and other tools, and leverage insights to refine sourcing strategies and improve outcomes.Desired capabilities include:Experience: ~2–4 years of recruiting or sourcing experience. We welcome both agency and in-house backgrounds, particularly candidates interested in transitioning into a high-growth tech environment.Sourcing Expertise: Proven ability to find and engage niche talent pools.Technical / Industry Knowledge: Experience sourcing candidates from specialized fields, including STEM, data, or technical backgrounds.Drive & Urgency: You thrive in fast-moving environments with shifting priorities and big goals.Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to quickly build trust with both candidates and hiring managers.Metrics-Minded: You care about your numbers and use data to improve. Familiarity with tracking source, conversion, and grow metrics is a plus.Tools: Proficiency with ATS platforms (Ashby a plus), LinkedIn Recruiter, and other sourcing tools, with a strong ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies.Work Hours: Must be ok working PST hours.Comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to help shape processes, not just follow them.Extra credit includes:Prior agency or executive search experience, especially in high-volume or hard-to-fill markets.Experience recruiting for go-to-market, sales, or growth-focused teams.If you are local to San Francisco, bonus points for willingness to come into the office.Explore our mission and values at joinhandshake.com/careers.