Nathan Cathey
Recruiter / Sourcer / Talent Advisor / Casting Director
San Diego,CA
Summary
Knowledgeable recruiting professional with proven record in talent acquisition, advising, and candidate placement. Successfully managed end-to-end recruitment processes, consistently aligning candidates with organizational needs. Demonstrated expertise in sourcing strategies and candidate evaluation.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Recruiter/Talent Acquisition Advisor
UC San Diego
01.2025 - Current
- Promoted to perform dual-role functions as Recruiter and Talent Acquisition Advisor, partnering with campus departments to deliver compliant, strategic, and high-quality recruitment outcomes for temporary, professional, and specialized roles.
- Advise hiring leaders and HR partners on recruitment strategy, candidate evaluation, labor market insights, and equitable selection practices, ensuring alignment with UCOP, UCSD, and State/Federal employment policies, including EEO/AA, background checks, and legally permissible interview practices.
- Lead complex and specialized recruitment efforts, including intake consultations, requisition management, candidate assessment, and referrals, exercising independent judgment in resolving nuanced employment and selection issues.
- Review resumes and credentials for job-relatedness; counsel hiring managers on candidate evaluation, interview pool development, and defensible hiring decisions.
- Design and implement screening questionnaires, evaluation frameworks, and candidate matrices to ensure fair, consistent, and legally defensible recruitment outcomes.
- Manage preferential rehire and disability reassignment cases in accordance with UC policy, providing consultation and coordination to support appropriate placement outcomes.
- Conduct sourcing, talent pipelining, interviews, and background/reference checks to build diverse, high-quality applicant pools.
- Analyze labor market trends, recruitment metrics, and sourcing data to advise departments on talent availability, hiring timelines, and recruitment strategies.
- Ensure a positive candidate and client experience by providing clear communication, career consultations, and guidance throughout the recruitment lifecycle.
TES Associate Recruiter/Talent Sourcer
UC San Diego
08.2022 - 01.2025
- Managed full-cycle recruitment for Temporary Employment Services (TES), from sourcing and screening to onboarding and placement
- Partnered with recruiters to develop targeted sourcing strategies, ensuring alignment with current and future hiring needs
- Sourced high-quality candidates using diverse methods, including LinkedIn, job boards, search engines, social media, and internal resume databases
- Matched candidates to assignments based on department needs, skill sets, and experience, ensuring successful placements
- Conducted interviews and evaluates candidates to determine suitability for temporary assignments
- Filled in for TES recruiters during their absence, managing their workload and ensuring seamless hiring operations in fast-paced environment
- Acted as the primary HR contact for departments and temporary employees throughout their tenure, addressing employee relations, performance management, and contract extensions
- Identified and engaged with professional associations, job fairs, and organizations to enhance diversity recruitment efforts and maintain a diverse talent pipeline
- Monitored key recruitment metrics, including sourcing effectiveness, hiring metrics, and time to fill
- Contributed in generating revenue exceeding $26 million annually through strategic talent acquisition efforts
Associate Casting Director
Madorna Casting
05.2013 - Current
- Cast talent for productions shows including “Awakening,” “An Evening with Whitney,” “Savor After Hours,” “Belle de Nuit,” “DISCOSHOW,” “Bob Marley Hope Road,” “Katy Perry: Play,” and the J Balvin 64th Annual Grammy Awards performance
- Identify a diverse range of talent, including actors, vocalists, dancers, and specialty artists, ensuring the right fit for specific roles and productions
- Lead and coordinate in-person casting sessions, working closely with talent and creative teams to ensure alignment with production requirements and artistic vision
- Collaborate with directors, producers, and choreographers to provide insights and recommendations for casting decisions based on project needs
Freelance Casting Associate
Norwegian Creative Studios
01.2017 - Current
- Support casting efforts for “After Midnight,” “Jersey Boys,” “Zambooka,” “Million Dollar Quartet,” “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” and “Havana!”
- Serve as the point person for the creative studio on all audition logistics by organizing and scheduling casting sessions, monitoring auditions, and developing effective casting strategies to identify top talent
- Conduct targeted social media outreach to promote open auditions, expanding the pool of potential candidates and attracting diverse talent
Temporary Company Management Assistant
La Jolla Playhouse
01.2022 - 08.2022
- Acted as a liaison between visiting artists and La Jolla Playhouse, providing high-level service and addressing personal needs, including travel, housing, transportation, and other logistical support
- Managed company housing operations, ensuring compliance with Equity standards, conducting move-in and move-out inspections, and coordinating maintenance
- Organized and facilitated special events, such as company breakfasts, tech night dinners, and closing night toasts, while maintaining relationships with Playhouse partners
- Supported the department with reconciling expenses, processing check requests, and managing invoices and reimbursements for artists
- Served as the point of contact for after-hours emergencies, handling on-call duties and responding to visiting artists’ needs outside of regular office hours
- Collaborated with the box office to manage ticket requests, including coordinating house seats, opening night tickets, and special comp requests for visiting artists
Assistant to the VP of Theater Producing and Programming
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
05.2019 - 08.2020
- Provided high-level administrative support to the Vice President of Theater Producing and Programming by managing schedules, correspondence, logistics, and creating presentations for key meetings and events
- Managed frequent domestic and international travel and accommodation arrangements for the VP
- Reconciled expenses and processed expense reports and reimbursements for the VP and department staff, ensuring accurate tracking and timely submission
- Acted as a liaison between entertainment agents, show producers, and the theater department
- Assisted with the coordination and execution of Broadway Center Stage productions, contributing to show planning, logistics, and execution
- Actively participated in brainstorming sessions to develop ideas for future productions, providing creative input and research to help shape the direction of upcoming shows
- Managed the day-to-day office operations of the theater department, overseeing administrative tasks, coordinating office supplies, and maintaining smooth workflow for the department’s staff
Business Coordinator
CNN
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Provided comprehensive administrative and operational support to the VP and Executive Editor of CNN Digital Politics, assisting a 50+ person team including on-air talent, reporters, and producers
- Managed complex calendars and coordinated domestic and international travel arrangements for the VP and team, ensuring seamless logistics across multiple offices throughout the US
- Processed and approved financial transactions, invoices, and expense reports for the entire team utilizing Ariba and Concur, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies
- Mentored, onboarded, and trained new hires and interns, facilitating a smooth integration into the team
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams in different locations, ensuring efficient service delivery and supporting seamless operations for clients
Casting Associate and Assistant to the Artistic Director
Wynn Las Vegas, Le Rêve – The Dream and ShowStoppers
05.2013 - 08.2018
- Supported the hiring, onboarding, training, and resolution of human resources-related issues for over 150 artists and performers from 20 countries, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with organizational standards
- Acted as a key liaison between the Artistic Director and the full artistic team, including company managers, stage management, resident choreographers, and acrobatic coaches, fostering collaboration and effective communication
- Managed logistics for domestic and international travel arrangements, coordinating special appearances, media events, and scouting/audition trips for performers and key personnel
- Scouted talent at industry events, including show openings/closings, universities, showcases, and world competitions, contributing to the recruitment of top-tier performers for future show needs
- Developed and executed marketing collateral and advertisements to attract diverse and specialty talent, ensuring the casting pool represented a wide range of performers
- Planned, organized, and managed multi-day workshops for performers and artists, facilitating a streamlined and professional audition experience
Showroom Services Usher
Wynn Las Vegas
07.2012 - 05.2013
- Supported the showroom in a Forbes Five-Star resort with a nightly audience of more than 1,500 attendees by greeting and assisting guests, providing exceptional customer service to ensure a seamless and enjoyable theater experience
- Enforced theater policies, including late seating, photography restrictions, and emergency procedures, ensuring a safe environment while delivering expert knowledge of theater amenities and show details to enhance the guest experience
- Supported theater operations by distributing show programs, managing priority seating, and assisting with high-profile guests
Casting Intern
Warner Bros. Television Casting
09.2009 - 12.2009
- Assisted in casting of numerous pilots and series, including “Pretty Little Liars,” “Rizzoli & Isles,” and “Undercovers” by participating in the complete casting process, from attaching leads to casting series regulars and guest stars
- Coordinated logistics for audition appointments, including scheduling, confirming attendance, preparing casting materials and sides, acting a reader, operating the audition camera, and ensuring smooth audition flow for actors and the casting team
- Reviewing headshots, résumés, and demo reels to assist in shortlisting candidates for roles
- Tracked and attended college actor showcases to identify new and emerging talent, contributing to the development of fresh and diverse options for upcoming roles
- Assisted with maintaining and updating casting databases, ensuring accurate up-to-date records of talent and audition notes
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Music (Oboe)
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 05.2001 -
Skills
LinkedIn Recruiter
HireOnline ATS
Indeed
Boolean searches
Salary negotiation
New hire orientations
SkillSurvey
Talent management
Concur
Stage Management
Accomplishments
STAR Award, Wynn Las Vegas — recognized for outstanding performance and contributions to casting and talent operations
Certificate of Merit, Wynn Las Vegas — awarded for creating and maintaining the casting department’s performer database, significantly improving talent tracking and operational efficiency
STAR Award, UC San Diego — proud to have received this award in recognition of my work supporting full-cycle recruitment, sourcing top talent, and helping drive successful candidate placement
Timeline
Recruiter/Talent Acquisition Advisor
UC San Diego
01.2025 - Current
TES Associate Recruiter/Talent Sourcer
UC San Diego
08.2022 - 01.2025
Temporary Company Management Assistant
La Jolla Playhouse
01.2022 - 08.2022
Assistant to the VP of Theater Producing and Programming
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
05.2019 - 08.2020
Business Coordinator
CNN
08.2018 - 05.2019
Freelance Casting Associate
Norwegian Creative Studios
01.2017 - Current
Associate Casting Director
Madorna Casting
05.2013 - Current
Casting Associate and Assistant to the Artistic Director
Wynn Las Vegas, Le Rêve – The Dream and ShowStoppers
05.2013 - 08.2018
Showroom Services Usher
Wynn Las Vegas
07.2012 - 05.2013
Casting Intern
Warner Bros. Television Casting
09.2009 - 12.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Music (Oboe)
University of Central Florida
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management
University of Central Florida
05.2001 -