Arica Watford
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Talent Acquisition leader with a proven track record in recruitment, strategic planning, and project management. Demonstrated ability to drive high-impact hiring initiatives while effectively leading cross-functional teams. Recognized for exceptional stakeholder communication skills and a commitment to enhancing operational efficiency. Passionate about leveraging innovative strategies to attract top talent and foster organizational growth.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of Talent Acquisition
KIPP SoCal Public Schools
08.2024 - Current
- Created and executed a strong instructional talent acquisition strategy for a 1,500+ employee size organization.
- Led teams of up to 6 personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
- Managed the full-cycle recruitment process from sourcing to offer management and onboarding for critical roles at all 20 sites at a 1,500 employee organization, averaging around 200+ requisitions per year.
- Led recruitment for school administration, instructional, and non-exempt roles.
- Assisted senior leadership in managing all aspects of operations.
- Improved overall team efficiency by streamlining project. management processes and implementing new collaboration tools.
- Managed external partnerships with sub vendors, ATS platforms, and university partnerships.
Manager, Talent Acquisition
KIPP SoCal Public Schools
09.2021 - 08.2024
- Managed the full-cycle recruitment process for a portfolio of 5 schools, 60 requisitions per year, averaging a 75% offer extension rate and 97% of next year vacancies filled by the end of each school year.
- Managed and evaluated the instructional recruitment team that includes 3 Talent Associates with over 150 requisitions per year.
- Strategically used data analysis to find creative solutions to source, recruit top talent for schools in underserved communities of Los Angeles while prioritizing turnaround schools and harder to fill content areas.
- Supported KIPP SoCal Public Schools' diversity recruitment initiatives through professional development and community events that resulted in 88% of new hires being teachers of color.
- Built and maintained strong relationships that resulted in consistently high manager and candidate satisfaction rate above 95% year over year.
- Leverage previous and current relationships to create referral campaigns that resulted in an increase from 10% to 21% of new hires being referrals from current team members.
- Oversee a variety of recruitment events such to develop our external pipeline such as webinars, happy hours, and meet and greets.
- Support the development of our teacher residency program in partnership with Alder Graduate School and Teach Start Fellow program with Alliant Graduate school.
Talent Acquisition Associate
KIPP SoCal
08.2017 - 09.2021
- Recruited and hired instructional team members for 10+ elementary and middle schools.
- Successfully ran 4+ external and internal referral and recruitment events and campaigns to promote organizational brand.
- Engaged with office social committee leading events to promote office culture.
AmeriCorps Team Leader
City Year Los Angeles
07.2015 - 06.2017
- Supported the recruitment and development teams through their ambassador programs.
- -Led and mentored a diverse team of 9 first Year AmeriCorps members through their year of service; 6 out of the 9 corps members returned to the organization for a second year.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Connecticut
05.2015
Skills
- Google Suite
- Lever
- Project management
- Strategic leadership
- Coaching and mentoring
Timeline
Associate Director of Talent Acquisition
KIPP SoCal Public Schools
08.2024 - Current
Manager, Talent Acquisition
KIPP SoCal Public Schools
09.2021 - 08.2024
Talent Acquisition Associate
KIPP SoCal
08.2017 - 09.2021
AmeriCorps Team Leader
City Year Los Angeles
07.2015 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Connecticut