Alation is pioneering the next era of data intelligence — powered by AI agents and trusted data. Organizations around the world rely on Alation to drive self-service analytics, cloud transformation, data governance, and AI innovation. Our technology helps enterprises connect people and data to make faster, smarter, and more confident decisions. With more than $340M in funding – valued at over $1.7 billion and more than 650 customers, including 40% of the Fortune 100.

As data becomes the foundation of every business, Alation is leading the way in helping organizations unlock their full potential. By bringing intelligence, automation, and trust to every interaction, we empower customers to scale data-driven innovation with confidence and speed.

Joining Alation means being part of a winning team shaping the future of AI-powered data intelligence. We move fast, think big, and deliver results together.

Job Description:

Alation is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Talent Acquisition to lead our global recruiting function during an exciting period of growth and innovation. This leader will own Alation’s talent acquisition strategy end-to-end, driving scalable, inclusive, and data-informed hiring practices that enable us to attract and retain world-class talent across functions and geographies.

This role includes direct reports in the U.S. and dotted-line partnership with international teams. As a core member of Alation’s Extended Leadership Team (ELT), the Director of Talent Acquisition will partner closely with executive and functional leaders to forecast talent needs, elevate our employer brand, and ensure a high-quality candidate and hiring manager experience from start to finish.

This role is based in Redwood City, California, and we work at least two days per week in the office, specifically Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Talent Acquisition Strategy & Leadership

• Lead Alation’s global recruiting strategy, partnering with executive leaders to understand hiring goals and translate them into actionable sourcing and hiring plans.

• Manage a global high-performing Talent Acquisition team, providing clarity, development, and mentorship.

• Collaborate with the VP of People and COEs (Total Rewards, People Ops, HRBP) to deliver a seamless and equitable hiring experience.

High-Impact Recruiting

• Personally own and drive recruitment for senior-level and high-priority roles, partnering closely with executive stakeholders to source, engage, and close top-tier talent.

• Proactively build and nurture pipelines for critical roles, including executive, technical, and go-to-market talent.

• Serve as a hands-on talent partner, particularly for leadership, technical, or business-critical searches.

Talent Acquisition Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Build and scale hiring processes that are efficient, candidate-friendly, and aligned with Alation’s values.

• Leverage analytics and dashboards to track hiring performance, identify bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement.

• Oversee recruitment operations, including vendor management, system optimization, and compliance with global labor laws.

Employer Brand & Talent Marketing

• Lead and evolve Alation’s employer brand and value proposition to attract exceptional candidates across global markets.

• Partner with Marketing and People Team peers to amplify Alation’s story through campaigns, events, and content.

• Ensure a differentiated and compelling candidate experience at every touchpoint.

Who You Are:

• Experienced TA Leader: 10+ years of progressive recruiting experience, including 4+ years in a senior leadership capacity. Proven track record of building and leading high-performing, geographically dispersed teams in fast-paced environments.

• Strategic & Hands-On: Comfortable developing long-term talent strategies while also rolling up your sleeves to help close critical roles. You thrive in ambiguity and know how to prioritize what matters.

• Trusted Advisor & Influencer: A skilled communicator and partner who can earn the confidence of executives, hiring managers, and peers alike. Able to challenge and influence with a blend of candor and empathy.

• Operationally Excellent: Strong command of recruiting metrics, operations, and tools. Skilled at designing and optimizing processes that drive scale without sacrificing quality or experience.

• Candidate-Centric: Passionate about creating a fair, inclusive, and human-centric hiring process. Experience driving programs that improve access, equity, and belonging.

• Analytical & Tech-Savvy: Comfortable with data and technology — from dashboards and systems to storytelling with metrics. You use insights to drive better decisions and outcomes and are innovative with AI options.

Compensation Pay Range:

Salary Information

The base salary range is specific to the United States. The salary of the final candidate selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, experience, education, work location, specialty and training. If the final candidate has a different level of experience, the base salary target range may be lower or higher than what is published.

Alation, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to that individual’s race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Company will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to permit qualified applicants who have a need for an accommodation to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.

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