Director Of Talent Acquisition (Recruiting)

Specialty Restaurants•Costa Mesa, CA

About The Position

With over 15 iconic restaurant destination and growing, Specialty Restaurants is a family-owned company with a proud legacy and an exciting future. Our portfolio includes award-winning favorites such as Rusty Pelican, Whiskey Joe's, Castaway, and other distinctive waterfront and landmark restaurants across the country. Each concept is thoughtfully designed to deliver unforgettable dining experiences that combine breathtaking views, inspired cuisine, and genuine hospitality. For more than six decades, Specialty Restaurants has remained committed to innovation, quality, and guest-centric experiences that stand the test of time. Our restaurants have been consistently recognized by OpenTable's Most Scenic Restaurants, Diner's Choice Awards, and numerous "Best Of" regional accolades-driven by the passion of our teams and a culture rooted in hospitality. As we continue to grow and evolve our brands, we are looking for leaders who believe that exceptional restaurants are built by exceptional people. Specialty Restaurants is committed to supporting our operators, developing our teams, and creating a culture where hospitality professionals can grow their careers while delivering memorable guest experiences. The Director of Talent Acquisition is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing the company's overall talent acquisition vision across all restaurant brands and the support center. This role oversees the full talent lifecycle, from workforce planning and employer brand strategy to sourcing, hiring, onboarding, and long-term pipeline development. As the organization's senior leader responsible for recruiting, the Director will partner closely with executive leadership and restaurant operators to ensure the company attracts, develops, and retains the hospitality professionals who power our restaurants. This role requires a leader who understands the operational realities of the restaurant industry and can design scalable hiring strategies that support both high-performing teams and exceptional guest experiences. The Director of Talent Acquisition will also play a key role in strengthening the company's reputation as an employer of choice within the hospitality industry, building systems, partnerships, and recruiting infrastructure that allow Specialty Restaurants to continue attracting top-tier talent as the organization grows.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive recruiting or talent acquisition leadership experience, 3+ years of which are within the hospitality, restaurant, or multi-unit service industry.
Demonstrated success leading recruitment strategy for multi-location organizations in fast-paced operational environments.
Strong expertise in applicant tracking systems, recruiting technologies, and modern sourcing methodologies.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate hiring data and labor trends into actionable talent strategies.
Executive-level communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence leaders across operations, HR, and senior management.
Comprehensive understanding of hiring compliance and employment law.
Deep passion for hospitality and a commitment to building people-first cultures and exceptional candidate experiences.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, enterprise-wide talent acquisition strategy aligned with the company's growth objectives and brand vision.
Serve as the primary strategic partner to executive leadership and restaurant operators on workforce planning, talent strategy, and organizational hiring priorities.
Build and oversee scalable recruiting infrastructure, including applicant tracking systems, recruiting platforms, and sourcing channels (including but not limited to Indeed, LinkedIn, iSolved, and social media platforms).
Elevate and steward the company's employer brand to ensure Specialty Restaurants is recognized as a premier employer within the hospitality industry.
Own and execute the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle for management and key hourly leadership roles, including sourcing, candidate engagement, screening, reference checks, and onboarding coordination.
Lead proactive sourcing initiatives and targeted outreach efforts to identify high-caliber hospitality professionals and build long-term relationships with industry talent.
Partner with restaurant leadership and support center departments to forecast staffing needs and develop proactive hiring plans across all locations.
Develop and maintain strategic talent pipelines for critical and high-volume positions, including partnerships with hospitality schools, universities, and community organizations.
Champion internal career mobility and leadership development by collaborating with leaders to identify and cultivate internal talent.
Ensure all recruiting practices comply with local, state, and federal employment laws and company policies.
Evaluate, implement, and manage recruiting technologies, systems, and vendor relationships-including major ATS upgrades or transitions.
Train and coach restaurant leadership on effective recruiting strategies, interviewing techniques, and hiring best practices.
Monitor recruiting metrics, labor market trends, and competitor hiring strategies to drive continuous improvement and inform business decisions.
Represent Specialty Restaurants within the broader hospitality community through recruiting events, industry conferences, and academic partnerships.
Provide regular reporting and strategic insights to executive leadership on hiring performance, talent trends, and workforce initiatives.