Principal, Talent Acquisition & Strategy at Accela

ABOUT THE ROLE The Principal, Talent & Workforce Strategy is an individual contributor level role strategic, enterprise-level leader responsible for building and evolving a modern, insight-driven talent acquisition function. This role goes beyond hiring execution to actively shape workforce strategy, anticipate talent shifts across the organization, and ensure the company has the capabilities it needs to execute its business strategy—now and in the future. This leader will leverage AI-enabled tools, workforce analytics, and market intelligence to identify emerging skills, assess internal and external talent supply, and guide proactive hiring, internal mobility, and capability-building decisions. They will operate as a trusted partner to executives, People leaders, and functional leadership, translating business strategy into forward-looking talent plans. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic Talent & Workforce Leadership • Partner with the CHRO and executive team to align talent acquisition strategy with business priorities, growth plans, and evolving capability needs. • Identify and anticipate talent shifts across the company (e.g., skills adjacency, emerging roles, declining capabilities) using workforce data, market insights, and business context. • Actively shape build vs. buy vs. borrow decisions by integrating recruiting, internal mobility, and workforce planning perspectives. • Serve as a thought partner to HR Business Partners and functional leaders to inform org design, succession planning, and transformation initiatives. • Review and improve the hiring process, and provide regular recruiting updates to executives. AI-Enabled Recruiting & Insights • Lead the adoption and responsible use of AI and automation across the talent acquisition lifecycle (sourcing, screening, insights, forecasting, and candidate experience). • Use AI-driven tools and analytics to improve speed, quality of hire, talent matching, and equity outcomes. • Translate recruiting and workforce data into clear, executive-ready insights and recommendations. Talent Partnerships & Market Intelligence • Build strong partnerships across HR (People Analytics, Total Rewards, L&D, HRBPs) to develop a holistic understanding of internal talent supply and demand. • Establish external partnerships and benchmarks to monitor labor market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging skills. • Ensure recruiting strategy reflects both near-term hiring needs and longer-term capability shifts. Operational Excellence & Leadership • Have strong business acumen and consulting skills – this is an individual contributor role that will rely on strong partnerships with HR Ops, external vendors and internal leaders. • Set clear priorities, metrics, and operating rhythms to ensure scalable, efficient, and candidate-centric hiring. • Own TA governance, vendor strategy, and technology/AI roadmap. • Have a high standard of work product delivery and output to stakeholders. Success Measures • Improved workforce readiness and skill alignment with business strategy • Demonstrated use of AI and analytics to influence talent decisions • Strong executive and functional leader confidence in TA as a strategic partner • Reduced time-to-fill for critical roles and improved quality of hire • Increased internal mobility and visibility into future talent needs REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • 7-10+ years of progressive experience in Talent Acquisition or Workforce Strategy, including leadership of enterprise-level programs • Proven experience leveraging AI, analytics, and labor market insights in recruiting or workforce planning • Strong consulting and executive communication skills • Demonstrated ability to partner across HR and business leadership to influence strategy • Experience operating in a remote or distributed organization strongly preferred DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Experience in high-growth SaaS or technology environments navigating rapid scaling and shifting talent needs • Background in strategic workforce planning, talent intelligence, or consulting (e.g., enterprise transformation or org design work) • Exposure to global workforce dynamics, including distributed teams and multi-country talent considerations • Familiarity with modern TA tech stacks (ATS, CRM, AI sourcing/screening tools) and evolving recruiting operating models • Demonstrated ability to integrate recruiting, internal mobility, and learning strategies into a cohesive workforce approach Travel • Travel as needed to team meetings. ABOUT ACCELA For nearly 20 years, Accela has been an industry leader in designing and delivering government software to improve efficiency, increase citizen engagement and enable the development of thriving communities. Today, citizens are savvy to how services should be delivered, and expect a consistently convenient, openly transparent view into their local government. While government agencies struggle to do more with less, our mission has never been more critical. Accela provides a robust, cloud-based platform of government software solutions that accelerate growth, efficiency, and transparency in communities of all sizes. From planning, to building, to service request management and more, Accela’s SaaS offerings level the playing field for small and medium governments and enable smaller agencies to leverage larger city technologies. Our open and flexible technology helps agencies address specific needs today, while ensuring they are well prepared for the emerging challenges of the future. OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION Accela believes in developing and nurturing a workplace community where our differences are celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of psychological safety and belonging. Accela is committed to putting resources and attention towards evolving our practices, policies, and philosophies to enable diversity to thrive and to support equity in opportunity for everyone. COMPENSATION AND WELL-BEING The annual base salary range for this full-time position is $165,000 –$185,000 (less applicable taxes). The actual annual base salary offered may be adjusted based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, location, education, skills, training, and experience. In addition to an annual base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus target. This is a discretionary bonus awarded based on company and individual goal achievement. Accela’s U.S. team members will receive a generous benefits package consisting of options including flexible time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, family planning benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, health savings account with company contributions, flexible spending account, life, accident, and disability coverage, business travel insurance, employee assistance programs, and other well-being benefits. Accela is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and will respond to requests for job accommodations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation #LI-Remote