Talent Acquisition & HR Programs Specialist

Description As a leading provider of annuities, MassMutual Ascend is committed to taking financial futures above and beyond. This means offering innovative products that fit our customers’ unique needs – whether it’s protecting their hard-earned savings, receiving guaranteed income or providing for loved ones. MassMutual Ascend is proud to offer customers a level of strength and stability they can count on for years to come. The Opportunity The Talent Acquisition & HR Programs Specialist is responsible for delivering full-cycle recruiting support across the enterprise while partnering closely with hiring leaders and HR colleagues to execute effective, inclusive talent strategies. This role also supports key HR talent management initiatives—including the internship program—and contributes to community involvement efforts aligned with the organization’s values. This position offers a hybrid work schedule based out of our downtown Cincinnati office. Job Responsibilities Talent Acquisition Manage full-cycle recruiting processes to identify, attract, and hire top talent across the organization. Apply a strong focus on identifying candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skillsets. Administer recruiting activities within Workday, including job postings, requisition creation and edits, candidate dispositioning, and documentation management. Partner with hiring managers using a consultative approach to conduct intake calls, guide managers through recruitment and Workday processes, present candidate insights, make offer recommendations aligned with internal equity and budget considerations, and provide proactive start-date updates. Proactively source and engage passive candidates using a variety of tools and techniques. Own the end-to-end candidate experience, including phone screenings, timely updates, interview coordination, offer negotiations, and pre-employment screenings such as background checks and I-9 processing. Conduct new hire tasks, including New Hire Orientation and first day communications. Collaborate closely with HR Partners to develop proactive talent acquisition strategies. Build and maintain external recruiting partnerships with colleges and universities (including HBCUs), DAV/RecruitMilitary, and DE&I-focused organizations. Represent the organization at career fairs, recruiting events, information sessions, mock interviews, and resume reviews. Community Involvement Support HR-led community involvement initiatives by planning, coordinating, and executing partner activities. Assist the Head of HR in developing and maintaining partnerships with charitable and community organizations. HR Program Administration Manage the corporate internship program by partnering with leaders to identify and fill intern roles. Coordinate internship logistics including housing for out-of-state interns. Plan networking events and professional development opportunities for interns. Schedule learning sessions and engagement activities to enhance the intern experience. As needed, support HR program and project efforts. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Experience in full-cycle recruiting, preferably within a corporate or complex organization. Experience using applicant tracking systems; Workday experience strongly preferred. Strong relationship-building and consultative skills. Excellent organizational and time management abilities with attention to detail. Commitment to delivering an exceptional candidate and hiring manager experience. Strong attention to detail and customer service skills. Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel. Why Join Us. At MassMutual Ascend, our collaborative culture is key to our success. It’s the reason we’re a leading provider of annuities today, and it’s the reason we’ll continue rising to the top tomorrow. A career at MassMutual Ascend means you’ll contribute to our mission of taking financial futures above and beyond – and you’ll be inspired to reach your own goals, too. As a wholly owned subsidiary of MassMutual, MassMutual Ascend continues to be an employer of choice in the Cincinnati, Ohio community. MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply. At MassMutual Ascend we focus on ensuring fair, equitable pay by providing competitive salaries, along with incentive and bonus opportunities for all employees.  Your total compensation package includes either a bonus target or in a sales-focused role a Variable Incentive Compensation component.  For more information about our extensive benefits offerings please check out our Total Rewards at a Glance..