Senior Talent Partner - Early Careers

Role Overview

This role is designed to support a fast-growing US defense technology innovator through an embedded Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) partnership. The Senior Talent Partner for Early Careers will act as an extension of the client's internal talent acquisition team, focusing exclusively on building, structuring, and growing internship, graduate, and campus recruitment strategies specifically targeted at emerging talent.

About the Client and Partnership

The client is a cutting-edge company working with advanced robotics, proprietary hardware, and AI-driven technology aimed at national security and defense modernization. The partnership operates uniquely as an RPO rather than a conventional recruitment agency, embedding Talent Partners directly within client organizations to integrate closely with hiring teams and leadership while receiving support from a wider talent management and creative team.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate as part of the embedded RPO team fully integrated with the client's internal talent function.
• Represent the client brand directly in the market as an in-house Talent Partner.
• Design and execute a formalized early careers program including internship and graduate recruitment strategies.
• Evaluate and expand the client’s university engagement by identifying additional institutions, research labs, academic programs, and student communities for talent sourcing.
• Build and nurture long-term relationships with university career services, faculty members, professors, research labs, and student organizations.
• Plan and participate in campus-related activities such as career fairs, technical presentations, student competitions, and other early talent initiatives.
• Manage the complete recruitment lifecycle for early talent, from sourcing candidates through interviews, offer negotiations, and onboarding.
• Utilize platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, and specialized university and technical networks to identify and engage emerging candidates.
• Collaborate with internal recruiters and hiring leaders across various functions including engineering, manufacturing, and corporate teams.
• Partner with the client’s marketing team to develop relevant content, events, and campaigns targeting campus talent attraction.
• Create repeatable processes, calendars, and reporting mechanisms to sustain and grow the early careers program annually.
• Work closely with the embedded RPO’s account management and creative teams to continually enhance recruitment delivery and candidate engagement.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

• Proven experience in campus recruiting, graduate hiring, internship programs, or early career talent acquisition.
• Demonstrated ability to design or improve structured early careers programs, beyond hiring for individual roles.
• Strong knowledge of university recruitment cycles, campus events, and platforms such as Handshake.
• Experience cultivating relationships with universities, faculty, laboratories, student organizations, and career services teams.
• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable managing hands-on sourcing and recruitment activities.
• Confident in engaging with senior stakeholders, hiring managers, recruitment teams, and marketing personnel.
• Recruitment experience in technical fields like engineering, robotics, manufacturing, or hardware is a major advantage.
• Willingness to travel for campus events and university engagements as necessary.

Preferred Location

Applicants based in Texas are preferred; however, the priority is to find a strong strategic early careers specialist regardless of location.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary package including bonus and benefits.
• Paid time off and holiday entitlement.
• A unique opportunity to build an early careers program from scratch.
• Experience working embedded within a rapidly expanding client’s internal talent team.
• Support from the broader RPO network including account management, technology, and creative resources.
• Exposure to senior leadership within a fast-growing technology company.
• Potential for long-term career advancement as the partnership expands.
• Fun and engaging workplace culture.