HR Talent Acquisition Specialist

Since 1997, Mike Cunningham, owner of Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG), has created an array of unforgettable dining experiences for guests. From its humble beginnings in Brownsburg, Indiana to a growing tri-state restaurant group, CRG represents a steady beat of expansion and innovation fueled by a commitment to community impact. Our vision is reflected in forty restaurants…eighteen concepts… and sustainable, consistent growth.

Job Overview: As an HR Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will work closely with the VP of HR, Directors of Operations, and the HR team to support the organization’s salaried hiring needs. You will play a key role in managing the recruiting process, supporting a positive candidate experience, and contributing to HR team initiatives that support efficient and consistent people operations. This position reports directly to the VP of HR, and partners closely with Directors of Operations and Hiring Leaders for salaried roles.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Talent Acquisition

   • Own the full-cycle recruiting process for salaried roles across the organization

   • Post and manage job openings across approved platforms

   • Conduct initial candidate screens and exploratory conversations

   • Coordinate interview scheduling and communication with candidates and hiring leaders

   • Partner with VP of HR and DOs to align on role needs, candidate profiles, and hiring timelines

   • Maintain accurate and organized candidate pipelines

   • Provide regular recruiting updates and insights to HR leadership

2. Recruiting Operations & Process Improvement

   • Maintain recruiting templates, outreach messaging, and interview guides

   • Track recruiting metrics and trends (time-to-fill, pipeline health, candidate quality)

   • Identify opportunities to streamline recruiting workflows and candidate experience

   • Support seasonal hiring fluctuations with scalable recruiting practices

3. People Operations & HR Support
   During lower recruiting volume periods, this role supports HR through project-based and operational work, including:

   • Supporting onboarding logistics and coordination as needed

   • Assisting with job description development and role alignment

   • Supporting HR projects such as audits, process documentation, and internal initiatives

   • Drafting and maintaining SOPs related to recruiting and people operations processes

   • Assisting with compliance-related documentation tracking (I-9 follow-ups, file completeness, etc.)

   • Supporting internal communications related to hiring, promotions, or organizational updates

   • Providing administrative support for HR initiatives as needed

4. Collaboration & Partnership

   • Serve as a strong partner to the HR team, Operations, and leadership teams

   • Maintain strict confidentiality and professional boundaries, particularly when exposed to sensitive HR, employee, or leadership information.

   • Act as a consistent, steady presence during periods of growth and change

Qualifications:

• 2–4 years of experience in recruiting, talent acquisition, or HR operations

• Experience conducting candidate screens and managing multiple open requisitions

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage fluctuating workloads

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• High attention to detail and follow-through

• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

• Hospitality or multi-location environment preferred

• Experience partnering with operations leaders preferred

• Experience documenting processes or building SOPs preferred

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Flexible spending accounts available

• 401k with company match

• Paid time off

• Excellent dining benefits

Join the CRG team and help play a vital role in our company’s success while also excelling in your career!

At Cunningham Restaurant Group, we embrace diversity and uphold equal opportunities for all. Our commitment to fairness and inclusivity reflects our core values of Connection, Honesty, Ownership, Respect, Fairness, Kindness, and Opportunity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Please join us in fostering an environment where everyone is valued and respected.