Lead, PhD Outreach and Recruiting

Job Description

Job Title: Lead, PhD Outreach and Recruiting. Location: Multiple locations, USA
New York, NY - Ann Arbor, MI - Atlanta, GA - Austin, TX - Boulder, CO - Chicago, IL - Mountain View, CA - Los Angeles, CA- Seattle, WA - San Francisco, CA
Washington, D.C. Playa Vista, CA (additional campus)

The role sits within Google’s Talent Outreach and Intern Programs team and has strong executive sponsorship; The goal is to move beyond traditional recruiting and build a scalable, global PhD outreach function from the ground up.

Responsibilities:

• Design and execute a global PhD outreach and recruiting strategy aligned with Google’s research and product goals.
• Build deep, long-term partnerships with faculty members, university research groups, and academic departments worldwide.
• Lead ecosystem building for PhD talent, including outreach, engagement programs, and top candidate identification;
• Implement a high-touch, white-glove engagement model that treats PhD candidates like executive hires.
• Work closely with product leaders and recruiting teams to align PhD hiring with business and research priorities.
• Build, mentor, and manage a global team of recruiters and program managers focused on PhD hiring;
• Use data and metrics to guide decision-making, performance management, and resource allocation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 10 years of experience in talent acquisition, human capital consulting, or a related field focused on specialized talent.
• 5 years of experience leading and managing global, distributed teams.

Preferred:

• Experience leading niche recruiting efforts such as PhD, MBA, or JD hiring at research-driven organizations.
• Strong understanding of the academic landscape and research trends in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Systems, and Quantum Computing.
• Proven ability to use data to design and influence complex talent initiatives;
• Experience acting as a strategic advisor to senior technical and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated success in change management and building talent programs from scratch.
• Strong track record of building trusted relationships with senior faculty and university leadership.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary range (US): $205,000 to $288,000 per year
• Performance bonus, equity, and additional benefits (not included in base salary range)
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off: 20 days per year (accrued over time);
• Sick time: 40 hours per year, plus discretionary sick leave where applicable
• Maternity leave: 28 to 30 weeks (short-term disability plus baby bonding)
• Baby bonding leave: 18 weeks
• 13 paid holidays per year

Salary is based on role level, location, skills, experience, and education.