Talent Acquisition Specialist

Olson Kundig is a design practice founded on the ideas that buildings can serve as a bridge between nature, culture and people, and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people’s lives. The firm’s work can be found across the globe, with projects as wide-ranging as huts to high rises, homes - often for art collectors - to academic, cultural, and civic projects, museums and exhibition design, places of worship, creative production, urban design, and interior design.

We are currently seeking a Talent Acquisition Specialist to drive day-to-day execution of the firm's full-cycle recruitment function. This role includes sourcing and building candidate pipelines, managing hiring processes, strengthening candidate experience, and using recruiting data to support thoughtful, timely decisions. The Specialist also supports key onboarding functions, helping ensure a smooth transition and positive early experience for new hires.

This is a highly collaborative, metric-driven role for a resourceful recruiting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong relationships, and balances service, process, and results.

The selected candidate is expected to work regularly at our Seattle, Washington headquarters with 0% travel requirements.

Primary Responsibilities:
Talent Acquisition

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies to build and maintain candidate pipelines, including ongoing passive outreach, for current and anticipated hiring needs.
• Lead full‑cycle recruiting for assigned roles, from intake through offer acceptance.
• Facilitate structured intake meetings to clarify role expectations, success criteria, and interview approaches.
• Facilitate Portfolio Review Meetings
• Advise hiring managers on candidate evaluation and selection criteria.
• Develop interview plans and guides that promote consistency and inclusive decision‑making.
• Build, maintain, and nurture talent pipelines and ensure timely, informed hiring decisions.
• Strengthen employer brand presence through job content, candidate experience, and external platforms.
• Ensure recruiting activities comply with applicable employment laws, internal policies, equal employment opportunity principles, and inclusive hiring practices.

Talent Insights & Process Improvement

• Build, maintain, and analyze recruiting and onboarding reports and dashboards, including time‑to‑hire, time‑to‑fill, and source of hire
• Share insights and recommendations with HR leadership and hiring managers.
• Support continuous improvement of recruiting workflows, tools, systems, templates, and service standards.
• Contribute to the development of recruiting playbooks, tools, systems, templates, and best practices.
• Support data integrity, reporting consistency, and appropriate use of recruiting technology

Onboarding and Early Employee Experience

• Partner with HR leadership, hiring managers, and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver a welcoming, effective onboarding experience.
• Monitor early‑tenure indicators such as new hire feedback and retention trends.
• Identify themes and opportunities to improve role clarity, onboarding, and manager readiness.
• Serve as a point of contact and resource for new hires during their initial transition into the firm.

General HR Administration

• Maintain accurate recruiting and onboarding data within ATS and HRIS systems.
• Assist with employee support requests and concerns and firm policy implementation.
• Coordinate and facilitate assigned annual performance reviews
• Support and assist with other HR functions to balance work across the department.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and internal policies.

Must Have:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or closely related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience: 4–6 years of experience in full cycle recruiting with strong hiring manager interaction.
• Digital Literacy:
  • Intermediate proficiency: Microsoft Suite, Applicant Tracking System, HRIS system, Digital File Organization
  • Currently using or open to using AI tools to support efficiency and productivity
  • Experience with: an ERP system, Adobe Creative Suite or similar

Nice to Have:

• Certification: Active PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP Certification
• Experience in architecture, design, engineering, construction, or creative environments

What can you expect from us?

• A creative work environment and colleagues who are collaborative, creative, and challenging
• Opportunity to grow professionally
• Check our culture page to learn about life at Olson Kundig

Equal Opportunity & Pay Transparency
Olson Kundig is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations at any point in the employment process.

In compliance with Washington State’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (RCW 49.58.110), Olson Kundig provides transparent compensation information in all job postings. For this position based in Seattle, Washington, the annual salary is between $79,000 and $99,000 Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and relevance of the candidate’s experience, as well as internal equity and external market factors.

In addition to a dynamic and creative culture, Olson Kundig provides a generous benefits package that includes 16 days of paid time off, paid holidays, health plan, 401k match, bonuses, profit-sharing plans for qualified positions, a monthly travel subsidy for public transportation, and more.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must already possess long-term work authorization.