Full-Time Director Early Talent Recruiting
Western Digital is hiring a remote Full-Time Director Early Talent Recruiting. The career level for this job opening is Senior Manager and is accepting San Jose, CA based applicants remotely. Read complete job description before applying.
Western Digital
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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for developing and executing a strategic approach to university recruiting and partnerships, specifically early-career hiring, internal engagement and development and future talent pipelining. This role will design and implement initiatives that strengthen relationships with academic institutions, drive employer brand presence on campuses, and attract top emerging talent.
Strategy Development & Execution:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive University Hiring & Partnership Strategy aligned with business stakeholders, workforce planning needs and enterprise goals
- Define KPIs to measure the success of university hiring programs and partnerships
- Stay ahead of industry trends in campus recruiting, internship programs, early-career hiring and UR marketing to refine and communicate strategies accordingly across the enterprise
University & Academic Partnerships:
- Identify and establish strategic partnerships with top universities, colleges, technical schools, and industry organizations
- Develop a long-term relationship with external stakeholders (e.g., career services, faculty, student organizations, and research centers) to strengthen then company’s presence on campus
- Organize and participate in career fairs, networking events, and guest lecture opportunities to engage with student and faculty
- Drive Collaboration with universities and internal stakeholders on research projects, curriculum development, and sponsorships to enhance employer branding
Early Career & Internship Programs:
- Design and oversee structured internships, co-op, and graduate hiring programs to build a strong early-career talent pipeline
- Work with hiring managers to identify entry-level roles, rotational programs, and apprenticeship opportunities within the organization
- Develop standardized assessment and selection processes for interns and recent graduates
- Ensure a high-quality candidate experience from application through onboarding and full-time conversion
Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning:
- Collaborate with HR and business leaders to forecast entry-level hiring needs and align university recruiting efforts with business objectives
- Develop campus recruiting materials, career development content, and employer branding campaigns to attract top students and graduates
- Leverage data analytics to assess university hiring trends, candidate conversion rates, and overall recruitment effectiveness
- Implement tool and technologies to streamline campus recruitment, interview scheduling, and candidate engagement
Employer Branding & Engagement:
- Lead initiatives to strengthen the company’s employer brand on university campuses and social media platforms
- Develop digital and in-person engagement strategies, including virtual career events, hackathons, case competitions, and industry mentorship programs
- Ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment across all student outreach efforts
Key Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field
- 10+ years of experience in talent acquisition, university recruiting, employer branding, or workforce strategy, preferably within a multinational matrixed corporate setting
- Skilled in recruiting, managing and leading a team of direct and matrixed recruiters, as well as University Recruitment Program Leads, to drive to talent acquisition success
- Proven track-record in developing and managing university partnerships and early-career hiring programs
- Strong understanding of campus recruitment best practices, workforce planning, and candidate engagement strategies
- Experience working with HR technologies, applicant tracking system (ATS), and recruitment marketing platforms
- Excellent communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to assess hiring trends and optimize recruitment strategies