Talent Management Specialist

Icon
Person Icon
Icon
Thumbs Up Icon
Related roles: HR Manager (with a focus on talent management), Talent Acquisition Specialist/Manager, Learning and Development Manager, Organizational Development Specialist/Manager, Employee Engagement Specialist/Manager, Succession Planning Specialist/Manager, Performance Management, Specialist/Manager, Career Development Advisor/Manager, Workforce Planning Specialist/Manager, Human Capital Consultant

Spotlights

Similar Titles

HR Manager (with a focus on talent management), Talent Acquisition Specialist/Manager, Learning and Development Manager, Organizational Development Specialist/Manager, Employee Engagement Specialist/Manager, Succession Planning Specialist/Manager, Performance Management, Specialist/Manager, Career Development Advisor/Manager, Workforce Planning Specialist/Manager, Human Capital Consultant

Job Description

All organizations have one thing in common – they need to find, train, and keep talented people!

From recruitment to onboarding, Talent Management Specialists help organizations locate and attract people with the right skills, aptitudes, and cultural fit. They may even manage aspects of an employee’s career, helping workers develop to their fullest potential. To do this, specialists implement performance management programs to gauge employee progress and productivity, while promoting continuous improvement.

Talent Management Specialists collaborate with managers and human resources specialists to identify workforce needs, create employee development plans, and devise strategies to replace personnel who may leave soon due to retirement, relocation, or other reasons. Ultimately, their work is crucial to nurturing a workplace that attracts top talent and bolsters employee satisfaction and retention.

Rewarding Aspects of Career
  • Directly contributing to organizational success
  • Empowering employees to reach their full potential
  • Collaborating with diverse teams and departments
  • Utilizing modern HR programs and methods
2024 Employment
42,300
2034 Projected Employment
45,100
The Inside Scoop
Job Responsibilities

Working Schedule

  • Talent Management Specialists typically work full-time, with overtime, nights, and weekend work possible. They may travel for recruitment events or training sessions.

Typical Duties

  • Develop and implement talent acquisition and management policies and strategies
  • Assess current and future workforce talent gaps
  • Collaborate with HR and department heads regarding personnel needs
  • Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention programs
  • Visit college campuses. Attend job fairs or other recruitment events
  • Screen and interview candidates. Call or email references
  • Conduct pre-employment assessments, in some cases, to measure skills, job knowledge (or mastery), personality, integrity, physical ability, or other tests pertinent to the role
  • Verify candidates’ education and prior employment history
  • Initiate security clearance checks, criminal background checks, credit checks, or conduct substance screening, per employer requirements
  • Design and manage training and development initiatives
  • Implement performance management systems
  • Develop succession planning frameworks
  • Monitor employee satisfaction rates
  • Facilitate leadership development and coaching programs
  • Work with HR to extend offers to hire with details related to terms and conditions of employment or contract

Additional Responsibilities

  • Refer highly qualified candidates who were not hired to other potential employers
  • Use applicable HR software and data analytics tools
  • Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations
  • Stay up-to-date on trends and best practices
Skills Needed on the Job

Soft Skills

  • Analytical
  • Communication skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Empathy
  • Leadership
  • Negotiation
  • Organization
  • Persuasive
  • Planning
  • Problem-solving
  • Strategic thinking
  • Teamwork
  • Time management

Technical Skills

  • Data analysis and HR analytics programs, such as ADP Workforce 
    Now, BambooHR, IBM Kenexa, Oracle HCM Cloud, Tableau, Visier, and Workday
  • Human capital management (i.e., “the process of hiring the right people, managing workforces effectively and optimizing productivity,” per ADP)
  • Knowledge of employment laws and regulations
  • Performance management systems
  • Recruitment software
  • Talent development frameworks
  • Training program design
  • Workforce planning
Different Types of Organizations
  • Employment services
  • Corporations
  • Educational institutions
  • Governmental agencies
  • Healthcare organizations
  • Non-profits
  • Tech companies
Expectations and Sacrifices

Talent Management Specialists are on the hook to ensure their organizations have the right workforce to reach established goals. That means balancing strategic planning with day-to-day tasks such as recruitment and employee development. At the same time, competing organizations have their own experts out there trying to snag the top candidates, too.

Strong interpersonal skills are essential to build trust and foster positive relationships with leadership and employees. There’s also the challenge of managing expectations from both sides!

Employees, for instance, obviously want fair career growth opportunities. Managers might focus more on increased productivity and strategic alignment with organizational goals. Talent Management Specialists have to navigate the demands of all parties to ensure optimal outcomes for all. When situations become high-pressure, such as during major organizational changes and staff shake-ups, they’ve got to be the voice of reason, keeping things calm while making prudent decisions.

Current Trends

In today’s bustling business landscape, talent management relies heavily on technology. Data analytics and AI have transformed how organizations predict talent needs by finding skill gaps. This helps to optimize workforce planning and align talent acquisition strategies with short and long-term goals.

Employee wellness is also in the spotlight when it comes to talent management. Companies are integrating wellness programs, mental health resources, and stress management workshops in the hopes of building resiliency and boosting productivity.

Meanwhile, remote work and flexible schedules are causing talent managers to develop new strategies for engaging dispersed teams. Flexibility and innovative communication methods are necessary to attract top talent and improve retention in the modern world of remote and hybrid work!

What kinds of things did people in this career enjoy doing when they were young...

Talent Management Specialists often have a passion for helping others and an interest in human behavior. They might have enjoyed activities that involve teamwork and organizing events or projects.

Education and Training Needed
  • Talent Management Specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, communications, or a related field
  • Relevant coursework might include:
  1. Employment law
  2. Human resource management
  3. Organizational behavior
  4. Training and development
  5. Workforce planning
  • Many Talent Management Specialists start in other HR-related roles, gaining experience and working their way up
  • A master's degree or specialized certifications can enhance job prospects and career advancement. Certifications may include:
  1. American Academy of Project Management - Certified Human Resource Analyst
  2. Human Capital Institute certifications
  3. Human Resource Certification Institute - Professional in Human Resources
  4. International Coach Federation - Professional Certified Coach 
  5. Oracle - Talent Management
  6. Society for Human Resource Management - Certified Professional
  7. Talent Management Institute - Certified Talent Management Practitioner
THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A UNIVERSITY
  • Look for accredited colleges offering majors in human resources, business administration, or communications.
  • Prospective students should seek programs with experienced faculty, strong industry connections, and internship or co-op placement opportunities.
  • Compare tuition and fees costs, noting in-state vs. out-of-state costs.
  • Review scholarship and financial aid options.
  • Check out graduation and job placement statistics. 
Things to do in High School and College
  • In high school, you’ll need to master a lot of subjects, including psychology, business, and communications
  • To hone your negotiation skills, take English, writing, speech, debate, and foreign languages
  • Participate in leadership and team-building activities
  • Apply for part-time HR-related jobs, internships, or apprenticeships
  • Polish your phone etiquette and powers of persuasion
  • Volunteer to serve on school committees. Help with extracurricular activities, with a focus on roles that offer leadership and management experiences
  • Take online courses via edX or Udemy to polish up your talent management skills
  • Call organizations to ask if you can shadow a recruiter or get an informational interview
  • Read articles and magazines related to the industry, such as Talent Magazine
  • Participate in relevant online forums and discussion groups
  • Keep track of your accomplishments for your resume and college applications
  • Join professional HR organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management to network, learn, and have fun!
  • Stay informed about trends in talent management and HR technologies
Talent Management Roadmap
Talent Management Roadmap
How to land your 1st job
  1. Applicant Tracking Systems
  2. Candidate Sourcing
  3. Employee Relations
  4. Human Capital Management
  5. HR Compliance
  6. Interviewing
  7. Onboarding
  8. Performance Management
  9. Recruitment Strategies
  10. Talent Acquisition
  1. “What strategies have you found most effective in sourcing high-quality candidates?”
  2. “How do you assess cultural fit during the interview process? What methods do you use to determine if a candidate will align with the company’s values and work environment?”
  • Stay connected to your professional network. Ask for leads on upcoming job openings
  • Dress appropriately for job interviews!
  • Ask former professors and supervisors to write recommendation letters or request their consent to list them as references
  • Network with HR professionals and attend industry events
  • Leverage your university’s career center for resume reviews and mock interviews
How to Climb the Ladder
  • The best way to move up is to find and retain the best people for your organization!
  • Let your supervisor know you are interested in advancement. Offer to take the lead on tough projects or trips
  • Knock out additional education and training to improve or add to your skills. For example, you could become a Certified Talent Management Practitioner certification…or earn a master’s degree
  1. Master’s options include:

       > Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology

       > MBA with a concentration in HR or Talent Management

       > Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

       > Master’s in Human Resource Management

       > Master’s in Industrial and Labor Relations

  • Get certified in the software programs you need for your job, such as Oracle’s Talent Management Cloud
  • Treat everyone with respect, be proactive in finding and mitigating problems, offer realistic solutions, and stay focused on maintaining strong relationships between workers and management
  • Keep growing your professional network and making connections
  • Seek feedback from supervisors and employees to improve performance or programs
  • Stay active in the industry and join professional HR associations
  • Consider relocation or switching employers, if needed to move up

Newsfeed

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Online Courses and Tools