Early Career & Military Talent Acquisition Partner

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. 

Estimated annual base pay: $74,000 - $96,000

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity. 
• 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members  
• 12 paid holidays, including floating holidays. 
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave. 
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance  
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits. 
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life 
• Member referral bonus 
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending 
• Voluntary benefits, including:  
  • Home / Auto Insurance discounts 
  • Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave 

The Early Career Talent Acquisition Partner is responsible for building sustainable talent pipelines to support future workforce needs across manufacturing, technical, skilled trades, and professional career paths. This role develops and manages strategic relationships with high schools, technical and trade schools, community and junior colleges, workforce development organizations, military transition programs, and other community partners to create awareness of career opportunities and establish talent pathways into the organization. This position is focused on workforce development, Military hiring, and early-career talent pipeline creation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with:
  • High school and career pathway programs
  • Junior and community colleges
  • Technical and Trade Schools
  • Workforce development organizations
  • Economic development groups
  • Military transition programs and veteran organizations
• Create and manage talent pipelines that align with current and future workforce needs, particularly for manufacturing, skilled trades, and critical talent segments.
• Serve as the primary liaison between external talent development partners and hiring leaders to ensure workforce programs align with business demand.
• Lead military recruiting initiatives, including partnerships with transition assistance programs, SkillBridge programs, veteran service organizations, and military-affiliated talent networks.
• Identify and implement innovative workforce development programs, internships, apprenticeships, pre-employment training, and other talent pathway opportunities.
• Coordinate talent community engagement activities, hiring events, trade school visits, workforce development forums, and military outreach initiatives.
• Track pipeline health, partnership effectiveness, and talent conversion metrics to ensure a strong future candidate pipeline.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition Partners and business leaders to translate long-term workforce requirements into targeted pipeline-building strategies.
• Develop and execute recruiting strategies for veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses.
• Build targeted talent pipelines through military installations, transition assistance programs, veteran service organizations, military-focused events, and specialized sourcing networks.
• Support and optimize Woodward’s Department of Defense SkillBridge program and other military fellowship, internship, onboarding, and employment initiatives.
• Serve as a military recruiting subject matter resource, helping hiring teams understand military occupations, rank structures, transition timelines, and transferable skills.
• Establish and manage relationships with military and veteran organizations, including The Honor Foundation, Hiring Our Heroes, the USO, local Veteran Service Organizations, and other workforce partners.
• Partner with HR and compliance stakeholders to support veteran outreach documentation and applicable federal contractor requirements, including VEVRAA.
• Represent Woodward as a brand ambassador at recruiting events.
• Develop creative talent attraction campaigns that showcase meaningful technical work, hands-on career opportunities, member growth, and Woodward’s impact on aerospace and industrial markets.
• Maintain accurate candidate and activity records in the Applicant Tracking System and related recruiting platforms.
• Collaborate across Talent Acquisition and Human Resources to deliver a consistent Woodward message, process, and candidate experience.

Key Skills

• Experience in talent acquisition or in early career programs, military recruiting, workforce development, or related talent programs.
• Experience managing full-cycle recruiting for internships, early careers, technical, manufacturing, or military-connected talent.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence business leaders, hiring managers, HR partners, academic contacts, military organizations, and external partners.
• Experience planning and executing recruiting events, career fairs, candidate engagement programs, or talent attraction initiatives.
• Strong project management, organization, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience using an Applicant Tracking System, recruiting CRM, sourcing tools, and recruiting data to manage pipelines and report outcomes.
• Travel is required, primarily during peak military recruiting season and other early-career recruiting seasons.

**This position follows a hybrid schedule, with onsite work required on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and remote work on Tuesdays and Fridays. The role also requires 40-50% travel. **

Application window is anticipated to close 7 days from original posting date.

This information is provided in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and is the company’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation range and benefits offered for this position. The compensation offered to the successful applicant may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, location, and other job-related reasons.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).   All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.