Guardian Life Insurance

Executive Recruiter

Guardian Life Insurance$103K — $169K *
Staffing
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of recruiting experience in retained search, corporate search, or both.
  • Experience managing executive searches from intake to offer acceptance.
  • Proven track record of sourcing and engaging passive executive talent.
  • Ability to manage multiple searches while upholding quality and responsiveness.
  • Experience collaborating directly with senior leaders and HR partners throughout the search process.

Responsibilities

  • Identify and attract executive talent across the enterprise.
  • Partner with senior leaders and HR to drive executive hiring outcomes.
  • Cultivate executive talent pipelines for current and future needs.
  • Contribute to workforce planning, succession discussions, and leadership pipeline development.
  • Provide market intelligence and build relationships with stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Support for professional and personal goals through skill development.
  • Opportunities for leadership development and philanthropic engagement.
  • Flexible and inclusive work environment.
  • Diverse colleague community with high ethical standards.
Full Job Description
The Executive Recruiter serves as a strategic talent advisor responsible for identifying, attracting, assessing, and engaging executive talent across the enterprise. This individual will partner closely with senior business leaders, HR Business Partners, and Talent Acquisition leadership to drive executive hiring outcomes while helping build a world-class internal Executive Search function.

This role extends beyond search execution. The Executive Recruiter will develop deep expertise in supported business lines, cultivate executive talent pipelines, provide market intelligence, and build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. The successful candidate will be able to manage multiple executive searches simultaneously, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and deliver an exceptional experience for candidates and hiring leaders alike.

As the Executive Search function evolves, this role will help establish Talent Acquisition as a strategic business partner by contributing to workforce planning, succession discussions, leadership pipeline development, and talent market insights.

You have
  • The ability to combine the relationship building skills of a trusted consultant, the discipline of a project manager, the curiosity of a researcher, and the urgency of a recruiter. Most importantly, you believe executive search is not simply about filling positions. It is about helping organizations make better leadership decisions and building talent pipelines that create long-term business success.


Required Qualifications:

Professional Experience
  • 8+ years of recruiting experience within a retained search firm, corporate search function, or a combination of both.
  • Demonstrated experience managing executive and senior leadership searches from intake through offer acceptance.
  • Proven success in sourcing, engaging, and recruiting passive executive-level talent.
  • Experience managing multiple concurrent searches while maintaining quality, responsiveness, and stakeholder confidence.
  • Experience partnering directly with senior business leaders, HR Business Partners, and hiring executives throughout the search process.


Executive Search & Recruitment Expertise
  • Strong executive search methodology, including talent mapping, market research, candidate assessment, and executive outreach.
  • Ability to develop and execute search strategies for complex leadership roles across multiple business functions.
  • Experience building and maintaining executive talent pipelines for current and future hiring needs.
  • Ability to assess leadership talent against technical requirements, leadership competencies, organizational culture, and business objectives.


Stakeholder Management
  • Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
  • Strong consultative skills with the ability to advise leaders on talent availability, market conditions, and hiring strategies.
  • Experience facilitating intake meetings and translating business needs into actionable search plans.
  • Ability to provide clear updates, recommendations, and guidance throughout the search process.


Project & Pipeline Management
  • Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple complex searches simultaneously.
  • Strong project management capabilities with attention to detail and a sense of urgency.
  • Experience utilizing ATS, CRM, and recruiting technologies to manage candidate pipelines and search activity.
  • Ability to maintain accurate search documentation, reporting, and candidate engagement records.


Communication & Relationship Building
  • Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish credibility quickly with executives and candidates.
  • Commitment to delivering an exceptional candidate experience through transparency, responsiveness, and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications:

Executive Search & Talent Advisory Experience
  • Experience supporting organizational talent strategies beyond recruiting, including succession planning, leadership assessment, workforce planning, or talent management initiatives.
  • Experience serving as a strategic talent advisor to executive leadership teams.

Business & Organizational Consulting
  • Ability to quickly understand business models, organizational structures, and operating environments.
  • Experience consulting with leaders on organizational design, leadership effectiveness, or capability requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate business strategy into talent acquisition and talent development recommendations.

Talent Intelligence & Market Insights
  • Advanced experience conducting executive talent mapping, competitive intelligence, and labor market research.
  • Experience presenting market insights and talent landscape analyses to executive audiences.
  • Familiarity with executive compensation trends and leadership benchmarking practices.

Technology & Analytics
  • Experience utilizing LinkedIn Recruiter, executive search databases, talent intelligence platforms, and CRM technologies.
  • Experience working within Workday or other enterprise ATS environments.
  • Ability to leverage recruiting metrics, market data, and reporting tools to influence hiring decisions and improve outcomes.

Leadership & Influence
  • Experience mentoring recruiters, researchers, coordinators, or junior talent acquisition professionals.
  • Proven ability to influence without direct authority in highly matrixed organizations.
  • Demonstrated success leading search initiatives with senior executives and C-suite stakeholders.


Location

Hybrid role - 3 days in office in the Hudson Yards, NYC or Stamford, CT office; 2 days WFH. In-person collaboration is essential to building trusted relationships and driving strategic alignment across the organization.

Salary Range:

$103,450.00 - $169,960.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you'll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian's Purpose - to inspire well-being - we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.

About Guardian Life Insurance

Guardian Life Insurance Careers

Join the Guardian Life Insurance team today and be part of a company that values growth, leadership, and innovation. As a leading provider in the insurance industry, Guardian Life Insurance offers a wealth of job opportunities that empower you to shape your future and strengthen your professional skills. Work You’ll Do At Guardian Life Insurance, you’ll collaborate with a diverse team of experts dedicated to providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to our clients. Our culture thrives on inclusivity and the shared ambition of our team members to drive positive change in the insurance sector. Explore a variety of career paths in areas ranging from customer service to financial advisement, each offering the potential to engage with transformative projects that impact lives. Our commitment to professional growth is evident in our robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, designed to enhance your skills and advance your career. Innovative Work Guardian Life Insurance is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology and personalized service. Join us and contribute to initiatives that redefine industry standards and lead to more predictive and personalized customer experiences. Be Part of a Great Team Our team at Guardian Life Insurance is our strongest asset. We foster an environment where creativity and effectiveness are encouraged, making it a perfect place for those who seek to innovate and excel in their careers. With a focus on nurturing talent, we offer comprehensive benefits, competitive salaries, and a supportive atmosphere that advocates work-life balance. Future-Proof Your Career With Guardian Life Insurance, your career is future-proof. Dive into a range of employment opportunities that not only align with your current skills but also challenge you to grow and expand your capabilities. Whether you’re looking for a full-time position, an internship, or even leadership roles, Guardian Life Insurance is committed to helping you find the right path. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities waiting for you at Guardian Life Insurance. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are passionate, driven, and ready to contribute to our mission. Search open positions that match your skills and interests, and take the first step towards a rewarding career with us. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and company news—all from the professionals who make Guardian Life Insurance a leader in the insurance industry. Our careers blog provides valuable information to help you prepare for your next interview, polish your resume, and enhance your networking abilities. Job Alert Emails Customize your experience by subscribing to job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Guardian Life Insurance, and see how you can contribute to our legacy of excellence and innovation. Join Guardian Life Insurance today and be part of a company that’s dedicated to your career growth and professional development.
Learn more about Guardian Life Insurance
Size
9,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1860

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