Talent Acquisition Manager

Job Summary

We are seeking Talent Acquisition Specialist with a strong IT product and AI hiring mindset. The role goes beyond traditional sourcing and execution. The successful candidate will operate as a Talent Advisor who uses market intelligence to influence hiring decisions, engages senior AI and engineering talent, and partners credibly with business and HR leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Recruitment Ownership

• Manage full-cycle recruitment for niche and senior-level roles.
• Drive hiring from job-description intake through joining, balancing speed, quality, compliance, and candidate experience.

2. Quality-Driven Talent Sourcing

• Identify and engage high-quality talent across AI Architecture, AI Research, AI Engineering, Machine Learning, Product Management, and Ecosystem Partnerships.
• Use LinkedIn Recruiter, job portals, professional networks, and employee referrals effectively.
• Explore non-traditional channels including GitHub, Stack Overflow, advanced Google X-Ray searches, and LLM/AI-based candidate search tools.
• Continuously test new sourcing approaches to strengthen talent quality and pipeline health.

3. Talent Market Insights and Advisory

• Conduct talent intelligence research covering skill availability, talent geography, compensation benchmarks, and competitor hiring patterns.
• Use market evidence to influence Hiring Managers and Leaders and recommend practical JD refinements.
• Build credibility as a Talent Advisor rather than operating only as an execution partner.

4. Senior Talent Engagement and Influence

• Engage confidently with senior and niche technical talent.
• Present HCL’s AI vision, growth opportunities, and business impact in a compelling manner.
• Build long-term relationships with passive candidates.

5. Offer Management and Negotiation

• Lead candidate offer discussions and negotiations.
• Partner with HR and Hiring Leaders to justify salary proposals using market data, compensation benchmarks, and candidate value.
• Secure timely approvals while protecting talent quality and creating balanced outcomes for HCL and candidates.

6. Candidate Engagement and Joiner Conversion

• Own the post-offer engagement strategy, including structured touchpoints and alignment throughout the notice period.
• Ensure Hiring Leaders connect with offered candidates at relevant stages.
• Deliver a 80%+ offer-to-join conversion ratio.

7. ATS and Compliance Excellence

• Use the Applicant Tracking System extensively and maintain accurate recruitment records.
• Ensure 100% recruitment process compliance through the ATS.

Skill Requirements

• Strong full-cycle recruitment capability for niche, senior, and technology roles.
• Proven sourcing expertise across mainstream and non-traditional talent channels.
• Working understanding of AI, Machine Learning, engineering, product, and related niche technology talent markets.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, consulting, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to interpret talent-market data and translate it into actionable hiring recommendations.

Other Requirements

Location - India

Experience - 10+ years of IT full-cycle recruitment experience

Preferred Background - Experience in product, AI, or niche technology hiring

Performance Expectations 80%+ offer-to-join conversion and 100% recruitment process compliance

Work Style - Individual contributor with a hands-on, high-ownership, quality-focused approach