Manager, Talent Acquisition

The Mellon Foundation (“Foundation”) is a not-for-profit, grant making organization that believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and we believe that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The Foundation makes grants in four core program areas - Higher Learning, Arts and Culture, Public Knowledge, and Humanities in Place - and through its signature Presidential Initiatives. About the Human Resources Team The Human Resources team is in an exciting period of growth, transformation, and modernization as we reimagine how HR partners with and supports the Foundation. Under the leadership of a new Chief Human Resources Officer, the team is building a more strategic, scalable, and people-centered HR function while continuing to deliver strong operational support across the Foundation. This is a unique opportunity to join a team actively shaping the future of HR at the Foundation, including the implementation of a new HRIS and other systems and process enhancements designed to improve the employee experience and strengthen organizational effectiveness. The environment is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing strategy with execution, building new processes and capabilities, and making a visible, meaningful impact in a mission-driven organization. Position Summary The Manager, Talent Acquisition will lead the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of all recruiting and hiring processes across the Foundation. This role is responsible for designing and managing an inclusive, equitable, and high-quality talent acquisition function that supports hiring across grantmaking, investments, and operational/infrastructure teams. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands‑on, with deep experience managing full-cycle recruitment, including executive-level searches, while building scalable hiring practices that enhance candidate experience, hiring manager effectiveness, and organizational decision-making. This individual will also play a key role in implementing the Foundation's first Applicant Tracking System (ATS), helping design workflows, processes, and reporting capabilities that improve consistency, efficiency, compliance, and equity across hiring. This position requires strong change‑management skills, sound judgment, operational rigor, and the ability to quickly learn and recruit across diverse functional areas and industries. Key Responsibilities Talent Acquisition Strategy & Leadership Develop and execute the organization’s overall recruiting and talent acquisition strategy aligned with Foundation goals and workforce planning needs. Lead full-cycle recruitment efforts across all levels of the Foundation, including executive and senior leadership searches. Partner closely with hiring managers and leadership to understand talent needs, advise on hiring strategy, and ensure effective and timely recruitment processes. Build scalable recruiting practices, tools, and standards that improve hiring outcomes and organizational consistency. Establish metrics, reporting, and analytics to monitor recruiting effectiveness, pipeline health, time-to-fill, candidate experience, and equity outcomes. Recruitment Operations & Process Design Lead the implementation and optimization of the Foundation's first Applicant Tracking System (ATS), including workflow design, process development, user adoption, and continuous improvement. Create and document standardized hiring procedures, interview processes, and recruiting tools to support consistency and operational excellence. Design and implement competency-based interview frameworks and structured selection processes that support effective and equitable hiring decisions. Ensure recruiting processes are efficient, compliant, candidate-centered, and aligned with best practices. Partner with HR and legal/compliance stakeholders to maintain adherence to applicable employment laws and hiring regulations. Inclusive & Equitable Hiring Practices Champion inclusive recruiting strategies and equitable hiring practices throughout the talent acquisition lifecycle. Develop sourcing strategies that broaden and diversify candidate pipelines across functions and levels. Train and support hiring managers and interview teams on structured interviewing, bias mitigation, equitable evaluation practices, and effective candidate engagement. Continuously assess and improve hiring practices to promote fairness, transparency, and accessibility. Stakeholder & Candidate Experience Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring managers and leadership throughout the recruitment process. Ensure a thoughtful, high-quality candidate experience that reflects the Foundation's values and employer brand. Manage communication and expectations effectively across candidates, interviewers, and stakeholders. Support organizational change management efforts related to new hiring practices, tools, and process improvements. Qualifications 6+ years of progressive talent acquisition and recruiting experience, including experience leading executive recruitment efforts. Demonstrated success developing and implementing recruiting strategies and scalable hiring processes across multiple functions and levels. Experience implementing, optimizing, or significantly enhancing an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or recruiting technology platform. Strong knowledge of competency-based interviewing and structured selection methodologies. Experience advancing inclusive and equitable recruiting practices and diverse sourcing strategies. Familiarity with employment-related compliance requirements and hiring best practices. Strong change management, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to recruit across a wide range of disciplines and quickly build fluency in new industries and functional areas, including grantmaking, investments, and infrastructure/operations roles. Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and relationship management skills. Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution in a fast-paced environment. The Mellon Foundation is committed to building an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employment opportunities are based on individual qualifications, merit, and organizational need, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds. Mellon is committed to access and inclusion for our applicants. If you have accessibility requests to support your participation in the hiring process, please let us know at your earliest convenience. Mellon offers a generous total reward package that includes base salary and a comprehensive benefits program, as well as an excellent working environment. Mellon is committed to providing compensation that is competitive and equitable within the philanthropic sector. The estimated annual salary range for this role is $140,000 - $150,000. The amount of pay offered will be determined by several factors, including but not limited to qualifications, unique skills, credentials, or experience that is expected to impact the candidate’s contribution to the role. We will also consider market data as well as the Foundation’s internal pay equity framework. We plan to maintain a hybrid work schedule, with three days per week in person at the Foundation’s Manhattan offices. Candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter describing fit for the position and a resume by June 26, 2026. While we anticipate accepting applications through this date, the posting may close earlier based on application volume and business needs. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible for full consideration. The Foundation will consider each complete application carefully but only contact those individuals it believes are most qualified for the position. To apply, please visit our website. #J-18808-Ljbffr Funders for LGBTQ Issues