Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist

Company Overview
Our client is a growing provider of school-based related services, partnering with public school districts across multiple states. The organization specializes in placing qualified Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, School Psychologists, and behavioral professionals who support student success. As the company continues to expand, it is strengthening its internal team to support strategic hiring, improve operational efficiency, and build long-term partnerships with school districts.

Position Overview
The Lead Talent Acquisition & HR Specialist will lead national recruiting efforts for education professionals while supporting key HR functions that drive employee lifecycle management. This role is responsible for full-cycle recruitment, onboarding coordination, compliance tracking, and maintaining organized HR processes that support both employees and operational growth.

The ideal candidate combines strong recruiting expertise with hands-on HR experience and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. This position plays a critical role in strengthening recruiting performance while ensuring efficient onboarding and employee support processes.

Location: Lakewood, NJ
Employment Type: Full-Time
Hourly Rate: $33.00 - $37.00 per hour
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401(k)

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for school-based clinicians and related service providers • Develop and execute sourcing strategies for high-demand education roles • Build and maintain a strong candidate pipeline aligned with district hiring timelines • Partner with leadership to forecast hiring needs based on contract volume and service expansion • Monitor recruiting metrics including time-to-fill, offer acceptance rates, and start-date alignment • Ensure credentialing, licensure, and district compliance requirements are satisfied prior to placement • Conduct candidate screening, interviewing, and offer management throughout the hiring process

Human Resources & Onboarding

• Oversee onboarding processes including employment documentation and compliance requirements
• Ensure background checks, I-9 verification, and state-specific requirements are completed prior to start dates
• Maintain organized and audit-ready employee records
• Manage employee lifecycle processes including onboarding, employment changes, and offboarding documentation
• Coordinate with payroll and operations to ensure accurate employee setup and transitions
• Support HR compliance initiatives and maintain employee personnel files in accordance with company policies
• Process Improvement & Collaboration
• Identify opportunities to improve recruiting, onboarding, and employee experience processes
• Maintain accurate data within ATS and HRIS systems
• Collaborate with leadership to support workforce planning and organizational growth initiatives
• Serve as a resource for hiring managers and employees regarding recruiting and HR-related processes

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of experience in recruitment, preferably within healthcare, education, staffing, or professional services
• 2+ years of Human Resources experience, including onboarding, compliance, employee records management, or employee relations support
• Proven success in both agency and/or in-house recruitment settings
• Strong understanding of recruitment technologies, ATS platforms, sourcing tools, and resume screening technologies
• Knowledge of HR compliance, onboarding procedures, and employment documentation requirements
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills
• Business development or client acquisition experience is a strong plus
• Self-starter mindset with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Compensation
The published compensation range is used as a guide to provide prospective candidates with a level of compensation that is competitive with today's market. The compensation range for this position is a good faith estimate that allows for flexibility to align with various levels of experience, education, and performance.

EEO Statement
Topaz HR is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law. We value and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Please Note
Topaz HR is conducting this search on behalf of one of our clients. The employer's name will be disclosed during the interview process, and all hiring decisions will be made directly by the client.