Talent Acquisition Manager

Job Summary

We are seeking Talent Acquisition Specialist with a strong IT product and AI hiring mindset. The role goes beyond traditional sourcing and execution. The successful candidate will operate as a Talent Advisor who uses market intelligence to influence hiring decisions, engages senior AI and engineering talent, and partners credibly with business and HR leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Recruitment Ownership
•    Manage full-cycle recruitment for niche and senior-level roles.
•    Drive hiring from job-description intake through joining, balancing speed, quality, compliance, and candidate experience.
2. Quality-Driven Talent Sourcing
•    Identify and engage high-quality talent across AI Architecture, AI Research, AI Engineering, Machine Learning, Product Management, and Ecosystem Partnerships.
•    Use LinkedIn Recruiter, job portals, professional networks, and employee referrals effectively.
•    Explore non-traditional channels including GitHub, Stack Overflow, advanced Google X-Ray searches, and LLM/AI-based candidate search tools.
•    Continuously test new sourcing approaches to strengthen talent quality and pipeline health.
3. Talent Market Insights and Advisory
•    Conduct talent intelligence research covering skill availability, talent geography, compensation benchmarks, and competitor hiring patterns.
•    Use market evidence to influence Hiring Managers and Leaders and recommend practical JD refinements.
•    Build credibility as a Talent Advisor rather than operating only as an execution partner.
4. Senior Talent Engagement and Influence
•    Engage confidently with senior and niche technical talent.
•    Present HCL’s AI vision, growth opportunities, and business impact in a compelling manner.
•    Build long-term relationships with passive candidates.
5. Offer Management and Negotiation
•    Lead candidate offer discussions and negotiations.
•    Partner with HR and Hiring Leaders to justify salary proposals using market data, compensation benchmarks, and candidate value.
•    Secure timely approvals while protecting talent quality and creating balanced outcomes for HCL and candidates.
6. Candidate Engagement and Joiner Conversion
•    Own the post-offer engagement strategy, including structured touchpoints and alignment throughout the notice period.
•    Ensure Hiring Leaders connect with offered candidates at relevant stages.
•    Deliver a 80%+ offer-to-join conversion ratio.
7. ATS and Compliance Excellence
•    Use the Applicant Tracking System extensively and maintain accurate recruitment records.
•    Ensure 100% recruitment process compliance through the ATS.

Skill Requirements

•    Strong full-cycle recruitment capability for niche, senior, and technology roles.
•    Proven sourcing expertise across mainstream and non-traditional talent channels.
•    Working understanding of AI, Machine Learning, engineering, product, and related niche technology talent markets.
•    Strong communication, stakeholder management, consulting, negotiation, and influencing skills.
•    Ability to interpret talent-market data and translate it into actionable hiring recommendations.

Other Requirements

Location - India
Experience - 10+ years of IT full-cycle recruitment experience
Preferred Background - Experience in product, AI, or niche technology hiring
Performance Expectations   80%+ offer-to-join conversion and 100% recruitment process compliance
Work Style - Individual contributor with a hands-on, high-ownership, quality-focused approach