Job Title: Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist - University Relations & Early Career Development
Department: Talent Acquisition
Location: Johnstown, Ohio or Versova locations
Reports To: Director, Talent Acquisition
Job Type: Full Time; non exempt
Travel: 10-50% (travel increased during college fairs and industry events)
Job Summary
The Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist - University Relations &Early Career Development is responsible for developing and executing strategic talent acquisition initiatives that support both immediate hiring needs and long-term workforce planning objectives. This role leads manager-level and above recruiting efforts, oversees university and early-career talent programs, and develops partnerships with colleges, technical schools, agricultural universities, trade schools, and industry organizations to build sustainable talent pipelines. The Senior Partner serves as a strategic advisor to business leaders, driving employer branding, recruiting process improvements, workforce planning initiatives, internship program management, and talent acquisition projects that strengthen Versova's ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
Essential Job Functions
- Lead full-cycle recruitment for manager-level, professional, and critical business positions across the organization
- Develop and execute strategic sourcing strategies to build pipelines of passive and active candidates for current and future workforce needs
- Partner with hiring managers and leadership teams to understand workforce requirements and develop proactive recruiting plans
- Design, implement, and manage enterprise internship, co-op, and early-career talent programs
- Develop and maintain relationships with colleges, universities, technical schools, agricultural programs, trade schools, and industry organizations
- Serve as the primary liaison for FFA, agricultural university, and workforce development partnerships
- Lead campus recruiting efforts, including career fairs, information sessions, on-campus interviews, and student engagement initiatives
- Develop strategies to convert interns and early-career talent into full-time employees and future organizational leaders
- Build talent pipelines for critical and hard-to-fill positions, including future leadership and succession planning needs
- Develop and execute employer branding initiatives that strengthen Versova's reputation as an employer of choice
- Create and maintain recruiting metrics, dashboards, and reports to measure recruiting effectiveness and program success
- Review and approve job advertisements, recruiting campaigns, and candidate outreach strategies
- Evaluate resumes, conduct candidate screenings, participate in interview panels, and facilitate candidate selection processes
- Extend employment offers, support compensation discussions, and guide candidates through the hiring process
- Lead talent acquisition process improvement initiatives, standardization efforts, and recruiting best practice implementation
- Develop and implement talent acquisition programs, projects, and workforce planning initiatives aligned with organizational objectives
- Maintain awareness of labor market trends, talent availability, and competitive recruiting practices
- Support onboarding activities and collaborate with People Operations to ensure a positive candidate and new hire experience
- Represent the organization at industry events, career fairs, networking functions, and workforce development programs
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communications, Agricultural Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 6+ years of progressive talent acquisition, recruiting, workforce planning, or university relations experience
- Experience recruiting professional, leadership, or manager-level positions
- Demonstrated experience developing talent pipelines and sourcing passive candidates
- Experience building partnerships with colleges, universities, trade schools, or workforce development organizations
- Strong interviewing, candidate assessment, and talent evaluation skills
- Knowledge of employment laws, recruiting best practices, and labor market trends
- Strong project management, organizational, and relationship-building skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to influence and consult with leaders at all levels of the organization
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting agricultural, food production, manufacturing, or distribution organizations
- Experience managing internship, co-op, or early-career development programs
- Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR
- Experience with applicant tracking systems (ATS), HRIS platforms, and recruiting technologies
- Experience leading employer branding or workforce development initiatives
- Knowledge of succession planning and leadership development practices
Work Environment
This position is primarily office-based with regular travel to colleges, universities, technical schools, career fairs, industry conferences, and Versova locations. The role requires frequent interaction with candidates, educational institutions, hiring managers, and business leaders across the organization. Responsibilities include a combination of strategic workforce planning, relationship management, recruiting activities, program development, and project leadership. Periodic evening and weekend work may be required to support recruiting events, campus activities, career fairs, networking functions, and internship programs. The position operates in a fast-paced environment that requires strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and frequent collaboration with stakeholders across multiple locations. Travel may account for approximately 20–40% of the role depending on recruiting cycles, university engagement activities, and organizational workforce needs
About Us:
Versova is one of the largest egg producers in the United States, bringing together family-owned farms in Iowa, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. With over six decades of industry experience, our team of more than 2,000 employees is dedicated to exceptional flock care, environmental stewardship, and producing safe, high-quality eggs. More than just a workplace, Versova is a team built on shared values, working together to enrich our communities and uphold the highest ethical standards.
As a family of companies and a company of families, we are guided by a strong set of Core Values: Recognition, Initiative, Safety & Security, Service, Community, Respect, Integrity, Ownership, and Excellence. These values drive our commitment to responsible employment, sustainability, and industry innovation. When you join Versova, you become part of something bigger - working together to lead the future of egg production with integrity and excellence.
Benefits:
- Regular performance reviews
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- HSA with company match
- Paid time Off
- Paid Holidays
- 401K with company match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
Posting Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.
Disclosure
This job description is not exhaustive, as employees may perform additional related duties as needed. Employment is based on an 'at-will' basis. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, as applicable to the role and in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
