The Executive Recruiter leads strategic hiring for VP-level and above roles, executing full-cycle search processes and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective talent acquisition.
The Executive Recruiter leads full-cycle search efforts for VP-level and above roles, driving strategic hiring outcomes across the enterprise. This role partners closely with Talent Acquisition leadership, HR Business Partners, Total Rewards, and Executive teams to deliver a high-impact, consultative search experience. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in executive search, market intelligence, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with business priorities and consistent, high-touch candidate experience.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Execute end-to-end executive search processes, including strategy development, sourcing, assessment, selection, and offer negotiation for senior leadership roles (VP+).
- Partner with senior leaders to define role requirements, candidate profiles, and search strategies that reflect organizational goals and leadership needs.
- Source future-ready pipeline of executive talent through proactive sourcing, networking, and industry engagement.
- Provide Linked In market intelligence, and candidate compensation insights to inform strategic hiring decisions and talent planning.
- Present comprehensive candidate assessments and search progress updates to stakeholders, maintaining transparency and strategic alignment.
- Collaborate with HR and business leaders to align executive hiring with succession planning and long-term leadership development strategies.
- Partner with marketing and communications teams to elevate the employer brand in executive talent markets, ensuring compelling messaging across outreach channels.
- Coordinate with HR and business units to ensure smooth onboarding for executive hires, including cultural integration and stakeholder alignment.
- Mentor and coach senior recruiters, sharing best practices in executive search methodologies, assessment tools, and stakeholder management.
- Report key recruitment operating metrics related to executive hiring performance, outcomes, and process efficiency.
- Continuously refine sourcing strategies using emerging platforms, AI tools, and labor market analytics to stay ahead of talent trends.
- Identify internal executive talent and build readiness pipelines by mapping capabilities, aspirations, and development needs.
- Models Thrivent’s leadership competencies – Model the Way, Rally the Team, and Deliver Outcomes.
- Supports and/or develops an environment in which Thrivent employees and colleagues are focused on continuous improvement, exceptional employee engagement, and an unwavering commitment to our clients. Shapes and/or supports a culture that represents the Thrivent purpose, promise and values, ensuring that Thrivent’s trust and reputation remain strong with its clients.
The Executive Recruiter will engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders across the organization and externally, operating with high visibility and strategic influence:
- C-Suite Executives Acts as a trusted advisor, shaping search strategy, influencing hiring decisions, and guiding executive onboarding. Provides market insights and talent recommendations that directly impact leadership composition and succession planning.
- Senior Business Leaders (VP+ across functions) Partners to define role requirements, calibrate candidate profiles, and align hiring outcomes with business priorities. Influences decision-making through candidate assessments, benchmarking, and strategic counsel.
- Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) Collaborates to ensure executive hiring aligns with workforce planning, organizational design, and talent development strategies. Shares insights to support succession planning and internal mobility.
- Total Rewards & Compensation Teams Coordinates on executive offer structuring, compensation benchmarking, and negotiation strategy. Influences package design to ensure competitiveness and alignment with internal equity.
- Talent Acquisition Leadership & Recruiting Teams Mentors senior recruiters and contributes to process refinement, capability building, and executive search methodology. Influences TA strategy through data, best practices, and market intelligence.
- External Search Firms & Industry Networks Manages vendor relationships, ensuring alignment with internal standards and goals. Influences external representation of the employer brand and candidate experience.
- Level of Influence This role holds significant strategic influence, shaping leadership, hiring outcomes, guiding executive decision-makers, and contributing to long-term organizational capability. The Executive Recruiter is expected to operate with autonomy, discretion, and credibility at the highest levels of the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field.
- 8+ years of experience in talent acquisition with 4 years emphasis on executive search, with a proven track record of sourcing & placing VP and C-suite talent.
- Demonstrated success in managing complex searches across functions and geographies.
- Experience curating and using market and candidate insights to advise clients.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders.
- Experience with applicant tracking systems (ATS), talent management platforms, and digital sourcing tools.
Preferred:
- Deep expertise in executive search methodologies, leadership assessments, and onboarding best practices.
- Proven ability to act as a strategic advisor to C-suite leaders.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills; adept at managing multiple priorities with discretion.
- Experience working in complex, matrixed organizations or global environments.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in executive hiring.
- Familiarity with psychometric assessments, executive coaching frameworks, or leadership development tools.
- Experience designing and executing structured executive interview processes and stakeholder calibration.
Pay Transparency
Thrivent provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. This policy applies to all employees and job applicants.
Thrivent is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected] or call 800-847-4836 and request Human Resources.
Top Skills
Applicant Tracking Systems
Digital Sourcing Tools
Talent Management Platforms
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