What You'll Do As Head of Talent Acquisition, you will lead and evolve project44's global recruiting function at an important stage of growth and transformation. We are looking for a hands-on talent acquisition leader with startup experience who can build, lead, and evolve talent acquisition in a fast-moving, high-growth environment.
This leader will bring strong executive presence, sound judgment, and a high bar for performance. You will partner closely with senior stakeholders, lead critical searches, build scalable recruiting programs, use data to improve delivery, and help ensure project44 attracts the talent needed to achieve its ambitions. This role requires equal parts strategy and execution: someone who can think ahead, operate with urgency, and deliver through ambiguity and change.
In addition, this role will own and evolve the TA technology stack, including AI features within the ATS, intelligent sourcing and screening tools, and workflow automation, to drive measurable gains in recruiter capacity, hiring speed, and candidate quality. Be the person who knows which tools are worth adopting and how to build team habits that stick.
Key Responsibilities - Lead the global talent acquisition strategy and operating model in support of project44's business priorities, growth plans, and organizational needs.
- Build, mentor, and elevate a high-performing recruiting team across executive, technical, commercial, and corporate hiring.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executives and hiring leaders, bringing credibility, candor, and strong stakeholder management in complex or high-pressure situations.
- Personally lead critical executive and leadership searches, while effectively managing and partnering with external search firms when appropriate.
- Build and scale recruiting programs, processes, and mechanisms that improve hiring quality, speed, consistency, and candidate experience.
- Create a more data-driven recruiting organization by defining success metrics, reporting cadences, forecasting practices, and operational rigor across the function.
- Partner cross-functionally with People, HRBPs, Finance, and business leaders to align on hiring plans, headcount priorities, and workforce needs.
- Raise the bar on talent assessment, interview quality, and selection discipline across the company.
- Identify gaps, solve problems quickly, and implement practical solutions that improve performance and execution.
- Strengthen project44's employer brand by ensuring the story we tell in market reflects the experience we create for candidates and employees.
What You'll Need - At least 10 years of talent acquisition experience, including at least 3 years of experience leading recruiting teams in high-growth, fast-changing environments.
- At least 3 years of experience leading tech, GTM or G&A recruiting at a company at either the build out stage or during a significant transformation event
- Hands-on experience using AI within a talent acquisition workflow, including AI capabilities in an ATS (Greenhouse experience a plus), AI-powered sourcing or screening tools, and the judgment to evaluate, configure, and govern these tools responsibly across a team.
- Demonstrated success building, scaling, or transforming talent acquisition teams through periods of growth, ambiguity, or change.
- Strong executive recruiting credibility, with the ability to lead senior searches directly and influence executive stakeholders with confidence.
- Experience partnering with external search firms while maintaining strong internal ownership and execution.
- Strong command of talent analytics, recruiting operations, and the use of data to drive accountability and improve outcomes.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build robust executive relationships in challenging circumstances.
- A hands-on leadership style and willingness to dive into searches, coach teams, and improve broken processes directly.
- Strong communication skills, sound judgment, resilience, and a relentless focus on quality and execution.
- Experience supporting teams across North America, India, and Europe.
What Will Make You Stand Out - Experience in B2B SaaS, enterprise software, logistics, supply chain, or other complex global operating environments.
- Strong functional depth across executive hiring, talent acquisition operations, workforce planning, and talent market intelligence.
- A practical, high-accountability leadership style grounded in urgency, clarity, and follow-through.
- A track record of operationalizing AI within a recruiting function: configuring AI features in an ATS, evaluating and deploying sourcing or screening AI, and building clear team norms around high-judgment, responsible AI use in hiring.
In-office Commitment Our office is where ideas spark, connections thrive, and innovation comes alive. We are looking for a leader who is enthusiastic and committed to joining our team on-site in Chicago four days a week. This role benefits from in-person partnership, faster decision-making, and close collaboration with business and functional leaders. Together, we're building something extraordinary-learn, grow, and thrive in a fast-paced, transformative environment.
