Senior Recruiter

This position is based at 2 Broadway and is full-time. Teleworking is available one day per week; new hires may apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

About the role

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is North America’s largest transportation network, serving 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA operates the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined.

As a Senior Recruiter, you will own the end-to-end recruitment process for key positions across the organization, drive talent-acquisition strategies, build high-performing teams, and fill hard-to-fill and critical roles. You will collaborate with senior leadership and hiring managers to understand business needs and identify exceptional talent.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle—sourcing, prescreening, interviewing, and hiring—for a range of positions, including executive-level roles, to attract and secure top-tier talent.
• Partner with agency leadership and hiring managers to define staffing needs, job requirements, and candidate profiles.
• Develop and implement innovative recruitment strategies with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Source candidates using advanced techniques such as social media, networking, headhunting, industry-specific job boards, and Boolean searches.
• Maintain accurate candidate records in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) in accordance with departmental guidelines and SLAs; track talent pipeline and shortlist candidates for future needs.
• Conduct in-depth interviews, assess candidates, and provide expert recommendations to hiring managers.
• Facilitate high-level interviews, negotiate offers, and ensure a positive candidate experience.
• Mentor junior talent-acquisition team members, support training initiatives, and promote best practices and continuous improvement.
• Analyze recruitment data and market trends to adjust strategies and improve hiring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with all organizational policies, legal requirements, and industry standards throughout the hiring process.
• Provide regular reporting on recruitment metrics and progress.
• Attend at least two recruitment events per quarter (e.g., university fairs, networking events, or community partner initiatives) to promote the MTA and build a talent pipeline.
• Adhere to departmental Standard Operating Procedures and Policies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Coach and mentor junior-level staff on daily recruitment activities and priorities.
• Lead the design, management, and execution of strategic talent-acquisition initiatives and cross-functional projects to enhance recruitment effectiveness and elevate the candidate experience.
• Evaluate current recruitment processes and systems to identify gaps and opportunities for optimization, standardization, and innovation.
• Oversee end-to-end planning, timelines, stakeholder alignment, and execution of special projects within Talent Acquisition.
• Use data-driven insights to inform decisions, track project outcomes, and ensure alignment with broader workforce and organizational goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from an accredited college.
• Minimum of 5 years of related talent-acquisition experience.

Qualifications

• Experience recruiting for senior-level, hard-to-fill, and niche roles across multiple departments or agencies.
• Expertise in sourcing, interviewing, and selecting candidates, with a deep understanding of talent-acquisition best practices.
• Emerging leadership skills with a willingness to support, guide, and collaborate with team members.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and build strong relationships.
• Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS), HR software, and recruitment tools.
• Ability to analyze recruitment data, identify trends, and apply insights to enhance recruitment strategies.
• High level of organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and a high volume of open requisitions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to create or generate ad-hoc recruitment reports upon request.

Pay

Salary range: $87,480 – $97,200.