Location: Chennai

Job Summary

We are searching for a for a high‑impact Talent Acquisition Specialist with a strong IT Product / AI hiring mindset. This role goes beyond traditional sourcing and execution. We are seeking a Talent Advisor who can influence hiring decisions using market insights, engage senior AI and engineering talent, and act as a trusted partner to business and HR leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. End‑to‑End Recruitment Ownership

- Manage full‑cycle recruitment for niche and senior‑level roles
- Drive hiring from JD intake to joining, ensuring speed, quality, and an excellent candidate experience

2. Quality‑Driven Talent Sourcing

- Consistently identify and engage top‑quality talent across Data & AI, AI Architecture, AI Research, AI Engineering, Product Management, ML, and Ecosystem Partnerships
- Use mainstream sourcing channels effectively: LinkedIn Recruiter, Job portals, Networking and employee referrals
- Demonstrate hands‑on experience and curiosity to explore non‑traditional sourcing channels, including: GitHub, Stack Overflow, Advanced Google X‑Ray searches, LLM / AI‑based candidate search tools
- Continuously experiment with new sourcing approaches to improve talent quality and pipeline health

3. Talent Market Insights & Advisory

- Conduct in‑depth talent intelligence research on: Skill availability, Talent geography, Compensation benchmarks, Competitor hiring patterns
- Use insights to:



Influence Hiring Managers & Leaders and Recommend JD refinements based on market realities
- Build credibility as a Talent Advisor, not just an execution partner

4. Senior Talent Engagement & Influence

- Confidently engage with senior and niche technical talent
- Effectively pitch HCL’s AI vision, growth opportunities, and business impact
- Build long‑term relationships with passive candidates

5. Offer Management & Negotiation

- Lead offer discussions and negotiations with candidates
- Partner with HR and Hiring Leaders to: Justify salary proposals using market data, benchmarks, and candidate value and Secure timely approvals without compromising talent quality
- Ensure win‑win outcomes for both HCL and candidates

6. Candidate Engagement & Joiner Conversion

- Own post‑offer engagement strategy, including: Structured candidate engagement plans and Robust alignment and engagement throughout the notice period
- Proactively ensure: Hiring Leaders connect with offered candidates
- Deliver 95%+ offer‑to‑join conversion ratio

7. ATS & Compliance Excellence

- Work extensively with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Ensure 100% recruitment process compliance via ATS.

Required Skills & Experience

- 5 to 9 years of IT full‑cycle recruitment experience
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills
- Mandatory experience in AI/ Data & AI Hiring
- Ability to operate as a trusted Talent Advisor to Hiring Managers and Leaders
- Willingness to work from Chennai – Navalur office, all 5 Days.

📌 Talent Acquisition Specialist - (AI Practice) (Chennai)
🏢 HCLTech
📍 Chennai