Lead Executive Recruiter (NYC Hybrid)

As our Lead Executive Recruiter, you will drive our enterprise-wide US executive recruiting strategy. You will develop key relationships with internal partners and stakeholders, as well as with Guardian’s senior leadership, and help to identify and attract top executive talent to the organization. You will report to the Head of Talent Acquisition, playing a meaningful role as a core member of the Talent Acquisition leadership team, collaborating, sharing insights and perspectives.

You Are:

• A strategic thinker and relationship builder, with deep expertise in executive search

• A confident communicator and trusted advisor who thrives in navigating complex searches

• A self-starter who brings collaboration, insight, and influence to every search

You Will:

• Lead Guardian’s executive recruiting function, owning end-to-end search strategy and execution for VP-level and above roles

• Lead and develop an Executive Sourcer, fostering alignment and excellence

• Develop and implement best-in-class sourcing and search methodologies tailored to business needs

• Deliver market mapping, competitive intelligence, and strategic insights to senior stakeholders

• Define target success metrics and objectives to assess success of talent pipelines and sourcing capabilities

• Partner closely with HR Business Partners, Executive Compensation, and Business Leaders to ensure alignment and success

• Provide consultative support and management when retained search partners are engaged

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to elevate the executive recruiting function

You Have:

• Extensive experience leading executive searches in-house or at a top-tier search firm

• Broad HR knowledge and exposure to HR leadership

• Demonstrated success accessing and attracting top-tier passive executive talent, understanding market trends, and evolving search practices

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and advise at the C-suite level

• Expertise in executive compensation and crafting complex, competitive offers

• Exceptional skills in:

  • Relationship Building – cultivating trust with candidates and stakeholders

  • Communication – articulating strategy, feedback, and insights with clarity and impact

  • Research & Market Intelligence – identifying trends, talent pools, and competitive positioning

  • Negotiation – navigating complex offers and closing top talent

  • Consultation – advising leaders with credibility and strategic foresight

Location:

This role is hybrid, with three days per week in our Hudson Yards’ office. In-person collaboration is essential to building trusted relationships and driving strategic alignment across the organization.

Salary Range:

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals.  Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.