Job Description

Job Summary

The Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist serves as a strategic hiring expert responsible for delivering critical and complex recruitment efforts across key business segments or global regions. In this advanced role, the Lead TA Specialist partners directly with executive leaders and HR Business Partners to shape hiring strategies, lead high-impact talent initiatives, and coach team members. This role requires a strong mix of subject matter expertise, project ownership, stakeholder influence, and sourcing innovation.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Talent Delivery

Lead full-cycle recruitment for high-impact, senior-level, or business-critical roles globally Define and deliver proactive sourcing strategies using competitive intelligence and market insights Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing talent acquisition expertise aligned to business goals

Functional and Regional Ownership

Own recruitment delivery for a business unit, geography, or functional portfolio Develop customized workforce strategies based on market conditions and talent needs Serve as the point of escalation for complex requisitions, candidate negotiations, or internal mobility cases

Project & Program Leadership

Drive key TA initiatives (e.g., diversity hiring campaigns, university relations, internal mobility programs) Lead recruiting process improvement efforts and partner on system/tool enhancements Monitor hiring effectiveness and recommend continuous improvements based on performance data

Mentorship & Team Collaboration

Provide informal coaching and guidance to junior recruiters, sourcers, and coordinators Support interview training, process consistency, and best practice sharing across the team Partner with TA managers and HR peers to align hiring strategies with broader talent programs

Executive Candidate Experience

Manage senior candidate journeys with white-glove service and confidentiality Present offers and negotiate with senior-level candidates in partnership with Compensation and HR Promote Coherent's employer brand and employee value proposition in competitive markets

Analytics & Market Insights

Analyze recruiting metrics, report trends, and make data-driven hiring recommendations Deliver tailored presentations and talent insights to senior stakeholders Maintain fluency in talent market dynamics, competitor hiring activity, and emerging tools

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (Master's preferred) Typically requires 7+ years of progressive recruiting experience, including leadership of complex searches Demonstrated experience recruiting for senior, technical, or specialized roles across multiple functions Familiarity with Applicant Tracking Systems (Oracle Recruiting Cloud preferred) and sourcing platforms (LinkedIn, CRM, niche boards) Global hiring experience and knowledge of international labor markets strongly preferred

Key Competencies Strategic Thinking: Develops long-range hiring strategies that align with business needs Executive Communication: Effectively presents to senior leaders and tailors messaging to audience Project Ownership: Leads end-to-end talent initiatives with measurable results Market Fluency: Applies market data, trends, and benchmarks to improve hiring outcomes Influence & Advisory: Guides hiring managers with confidence, clarity, and data-driven insight Collaboration: Works cross-functionally across HR, Compensation, and Talent Management Candidate Advocacy: Champions equitable, engaging candidate experiences at all levels Mentorship: Acts as a role model and resource for the broader recruiting team Excellent written and verbal communication skills Comfortable working across time zones in a global team environment

Skills & Other Requirements

Strong Business Partnership Skills:

Abilityto build credibility with hiring managers and influence decision-making through data and market insights

Local Market Knowledge:

Deep understanding of regional talent pools, competitive landscape, and sourcing channels

Time Management:

Able to manage a high-volume requisition load while meeting deadlines and service levels

Adaptability:

Comfortable operating in a fast-changing environment with evolving workforce needs

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Works effectively with Shared Services and HR colleagues across geographies to ensure seamless delivery

Sourcing Proficiency:

Skilled in advanced sourcing techniques including Boolean search, LinkedIn Talent Acquisition Specialist, referrals, and niche platforms

Analytical Thinking:

Uses data and metrics to track performance, improve outcomes, and advise stakeholders

Diversity Focused:

Committed to inclusive hiring practices and promoting diverse candidate pipelines

Confidentiality:

Handles sensitive candidate and business information with integrity and discretion

Technology Fluency:

Adept at using ATS, CRM tools, and virtual interviewing platforms

Communication:

Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of delivering professional updates and recommendations to various audiences

Working Conditions

This position is based in a local or regional office environment and may require periodic travel to supported sites based on business demand. The role operates during standard business hours but may occasionally require flexibility to support interviews or meetings across time zones. The Talent Acquisition Specialist will engage regularly with both local stakeholders and remote shared services team members using digital collaboration platforms. The work involves extensive computer and phone usage in a professional, fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer Frequent use of phone, video conferencing, and digital communication tools Ability to navigate office environments and attend in-person meetings or events Occasional travel to company sites, job fairs, or recruitment events (as required) Ability to lift and transport materials up to 15 pounds (e.g., recruitment materials, laptops, displays) Clear verbal and written communication in English (or applicable regional language) for candidate and stakeholder interactions

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies:

We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.