Director of Talent Solutions & Operations - UC San Diego

At a glance

🚀 Help shape the future of talent at one of the nation's leading public research universities. Another Source is proud to be partnering with UC San Diego on a search for a Director of Talent Solutions & Operations- a newly created leadership opportunity designed to transform how the university attracts, recruits, and hires top talent. This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys building as much as leading. You'll partner with executive leadership to modernize recruiting operations, implement a new applicant tracking system, redesign talent acquisition processes, build and develop a high-performing team, and lead executive searches for critical campus leadership positions. If you're energized by change, enjoy solving complex challenges, and want to leave a lasting impact, this role offers the chance to do just that. 📍 Hybrid | La Jolla, CA (minimum one day onsite/week)💰 $140,000–$180,000 + relocation assistance If you'd be interested in learning more- or know someone who would be a great fit- I'd love to connect! 

Description: What you'll be doing

Another Source's client, UC San Diego, is recruiting a Director of Talent Solutions & Operations to join their team in La Jolla, California. This is a hybrid opportunity with a minimum of one day onsite each week.  

Here's a little about UC San Diego Human Resources: 

UC San Diego is one of the nation's leading public research universities, recognized for its innovation, academic excellence, and commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging workplace. Human Resources advances a culture of inclusion and innovation by attracting top talent, building a high-performing workforce, developing skilled leaders, and fostering a vibrant and engaging climate for the people of UC San Diego. 

The Human Resources organization provides a full range of personnel services for campus employees and partners across the university to shape systemwide policy and decision-making. The division includes CHRO Administration, Business and Fiscal Operations, and five functional domains: Talent Solutions, People Programs and Rewards, HR Strategy and Policy, People Support, and Organization Effectiveness. 

About this role: 

The Director of Talent Solutions & Operations is a high-impact leadership role responsible for the strategic and operational overhaul of UC San Diego's recruitment ecosystem. Serving as both the architect of a modern talent acquisition strategy and a hands-on executive recruiter for the university's most critical roles, this leader will help redefine how talent is attracted, engaged, and hired across the institution. 

This role will lead the transition from a legacy processing model to a proactive, consultative recruiting function. Priorities include implementing a homegrown Applicant Tracking System (ATS), redesigning recruitment workflows, managing organizational change, coaching the Talent Solutions team through a new partnership-focused service model, and serving as a trusted talent advisor to campus leadership.  

How you will spend your time 

Strategic Operations & Transformation (35%) 

• Lead the transformation of UC San Diego's recruitment model from administrative transaction processing to a modern, proactive talent acquisition function.  

• Audit and redesign the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle to improve candidate quality, reduce time-to-hire, and enhance the candidate experience.  

• Establish and monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that define a new standard of excellence between Talent Solutions and campus departments.  

ATS Implementation & Product Ownership (20%) 

• Serve as the subject matter expert and strategic partner for the development and implementation of UC San Diego's homegrown Applicant Tracking System.  

• Create continuous feedback mechanisms between Talent Solutions, campus stakeholders, applicants, and IT to ensure ongoing system improvements.  

• Develop recruitment analytics and dashboards to measure recruitment health, equity metrics, source effectiveness, and operational performance.  

Executive & High-Level Recruitment (10%) 

• Provide white-glove recruiting support for executive and mission-critical leadership searches.  

• Utilize innovative sourcing strategies and executive recruiting techniques to identify passive talent.  

• Personally manage a portfolio of high-visibility executive recruitments.  

Change Management & Stakeholder Relations (20%) 

• Lead organizational change initiatives supporting the university's transition to a consultative hiring model.  

• Partner with HR Communications to develop communication strategies supporting ATS implementation and recruitment transformation.  

• Build trusted relationships with campus partners while helping departments adopt new recruitment processes and responsibilities.  

People Leadership & Development (13%) 

• Lead, coach, and develop the Talent Solutions team as they transition into strategic recruiting advisors.  

• Establish modern performance metrics that encourage proactive recruiting behaviors and continuous improvement.  

• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture centered on innovation, agility, and service excellence.  

Strategic Advisory Team Membership (2%) 

• Serve as a member of the Campus HR Strategy Advisory Team (SAT), contributing to operational excellence, process improvement, customer service standards, and strategic decision-making across Human Resources.  

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.  

• Experience supporting innovative recruitment and employment practices, workforce planning, strategic planning, program evaluation, and change management.  

• Knowledge of organizational human resources policies, programs, and budget/fiscal processes.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  

• Demonstrated ability to influence executive-level stakeholders within complex, decentralized organizations.  

• Proven success leading large-scale organizational change or digital transformation initiatives, particularly ATS or HRIS implementations.  

• Experience using data and analytics to improve recruitment performance and inform leadership decisions.  

• Ability to manage multiple complex, high-priority initiatives simultaneously.  

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering fairness, respect, and inclusion.  

• Significant Talent Acquisition experience, including leadership, operations, and executive-level recruiting.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Familiarity with the compliance and equity requirements of a public research institution or similar organization.  

• Lean Six Sigma or Agile training related to HR process improvement.  

• Leadership and people management experience.  

• Experience working within a search firm or executive search environment.  

• Knowledge of employment law, labor contracts, ADA, affirmative action, and equal employment opportunity practices.  

What's in it for you: 

Anticipated salary range: $140,000 – $180,000. Relocation assistance is available. 

UC San Diego offers one of the most competitive total compensation packages in the San Diego region, with non-salary benefits estimated to add $25,000 or more in annual value. 

Benefits include: 

• Healthcare — Full-family medical coverage beginning on day one, with multiple plan options. Dental and vision coverage is fully paid by the University for eligible employees and their dependents.  

• Retirement — A traditional defined benefit pension (UCRP) plus voluntary 403(b), 457(b), and Defined Contribution savings plans.  

• Paid Time Off — Three weeks of vacation accrual to start (increasing with years of service), 12 paid sick days annually with unlimited accrual, and 13 paid holidays each year.  

• Financial Wellness — Pre-tax savings programs, reduced tuition for eligible UC courses, basic life insurance, and short-term disability coverage.  

• Additional Benefits — Legal services, discounted insurance programs through Farmers GroupSelect, and University-paid business travel accident insurance.  

Use the UC Total Compensation Estimator to generate a personalized estimate of your total rewards package. 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. UC San Diego values equity, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

#AS1