BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.

Innovation, Efficiency and Ambition: this is what VAT has stood for over 50 years. 

With this passion, VAT has grown to become the leading international developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-performance high-end vacuum valves and vacuum sealing technology, employing over 2000 people worldwide.  The headquarters are located in Haag (Switzerland), the production centers in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania and Taiwan.

We are looking for a strategic, dynamic, and hands-on Strategic Talent Acquisition Partner to lead high-impact recruitment initiatives with a dual focus: providing senior-level, full-cycle recruitment support across the European market and driving global talent acquisition programs that shape the future of our hiring strategy.

In this role, you will be responsible for executing end-to-end recruitment across key markets while leading global TA initiatives such as Employer Value Proposition (EVP) development, recruitment marketing, employer branding, diversity and inclusion hiring, vendor governance, and talent intelligence. Your work will play a critical role in strengthening VAT’s employer visibility, diversifying talent pipelines, and enhancing our ability to attract top-tier talent in a highly competitive market.

You will collaborate closely with the Head of Talent Development and Talent Acquisition to co-create and implement a scalable, future-ready TA strategy. This position demands a high level of strategic thinking, stakeholder partnership, and operational execution. You must possess excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills, along with a data-driven mindset and the ability to design and deliver innovative, impactful recruitment solutions.

Success in this role requires a strong sense of ownership and accountability, the agility to navigate evolving market and business priorities, a commitment to both strategic and operational excellence, and the ability to influence and build strong partnerships across all levels of the organization to drive high performance. This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking talent acquisition professional ready to make a transformative impact at both regional and global levels at VAT.

Your responsibilities include, but not limited to: 

Operational Excellence in Talent Acquisition

• Act as the primary recruitment partner for senior and strategic roles across the European market, collaborating closely with HR Business Partners and business leaders to understand talent needs and secure top-tier talent aligned with VAT’s growth strategy. 
• Develop and execute targeted recruitment strategies across the full lifecycle from role intake, proactive sourcing, and candidate assessment to selection, offer negotiation and onboarding while ensuring exceptional experience for both candidates and hiring managers.
• Proactively build and maintain a strong talent pipeline for critical and future roles, ensuring timely access to high-quality candidates aligned with VAT’s strategic workforce needs.
• Champion the candidate experience by proactively identifying potential risks or friction points throughout the candidate journey and collaborating with stakeholders to implement effective mitigation strategies to enhance our employer reputation. 
• Leverage industry knowledge and VAT’s EVP to position and promote opportunities. Act as a brand ambassador by tailoring messaging to candidate motivations and highlighting VAT’s culture, innovation, and growth to strengthen our competitive position in the talent market.
• Provide data-driven consultative support to business leaders by translating external talent insights, labor market trends, competitor activity and sourcing analytics into actionable hiring strategies that drive informed decision-making.
• Design and lead talent benchmarking and competitive analysis to ensure VAT remains ahead of market trends and continue adopting best practices in sourcing, assessment, and selection.
• Partner with business leaders to define and continuously refine success profiles that guide sourcing and assessment strategies.
• Manage external recruiting partners (Direct & Indirect) to ensure service delivery excellence, compliance, and alignment with performance goals. Drive accountability for vendor ROI, hiring timelines, and continuous improvement through structured governance, SLA adherence, and regular performance reviews.
• Lead the refinement and standardization of staffing policies, systems, and processes within the region to improve operational efficiency, ensure compliance with internal controls and local labor regulations, and uphold Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) standards.
• Own regional recruitment KPIs and team delivery performance, proactively identifying potential challenges and continuously optimizing strategies to improve recruitment outcomes and support business objectives.

Strategic Talent Acquisition 

• Co-create and execute global talent acquisition programs including recruitment marketing, EVP, and employer branding that align with local market needs and reflect VAT’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and diversity, delivering impactful and consistent brand positioning.
• Drive targeted recruitment branding campaigns to elevate VAT’s talent presence in key external markets. Leverage digital platforms, content marketing, and talent events, and collaborate with industry networks and professional communities to engage and attract high-potential talent.
• Define success metrics and continuously evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment marketing and employer branding initiatives by leveraging data-driven insights to optimize reach, candidate engagement, and quality of hire.
• Support strategic workforce planning by aligning recruitment forecasts with business growth plans and evolving skill needs.
• Build and maintain diverse, high-quality talent pipelines through proactive sourcing, talent mapping, and market research. Leverage CRM strategies, emerging technologies, automation, and AI tools to engage passive candidates and nurture long-term relationships with critical talent pools.
• Lead and execute Diversity & Inclusion hiring strategies by developing targeted outreach campaigns, inclusive job content, and employee referral programs to build strong, diverse talent pipelines.
• Deliver inclusive hiring and behavioural interviewing training to people managers to ensure fair and consistent assessment practices that support equitable hiring outcomes.
• Actively contribute to broader Talent Acquisition projects and cross-functional initiatives by partnering with HR, Communications, and business stakeholders to strengthen the overall talent function and support organizational transformation. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Human Resource, Business, Marketing, or related field of study.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in full-cycle recruitment with a proven track record in senior level hiring and leading strategic talent acquisition initiatives, preferably within the semiconductor industry with a strong focus on the Swiss talent market.
• Demonstrated deep expertise in interviewing methodologies, talent assessment tools, and advanced sourcing strategies including direct sourcing, talent market mapping, social media engagement, digital recruitment campaigns, agency partnerships and other innovative sourcing channels.  
• Proven success in leading or contributing to talent acquisition programs such as employer branding, EVP development, recruitment marketing, and diversity & inclusion hiring initiatives with measurable impact at regional or global levels.
• Proficiency in German is required, fluency in English is essential for collaboration across global teams.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and Candidate Relationship Management/ Applicant Tracking Systems. Knowledge of SAP SuccessFactors is an advantage.   
• High level of initiative, strategic thinking, adaptability, and accountability, able to work autonomously and navigate ambiguity while prioritizing deliverables aligned with evolving business needs.
• Demonstrated project management and stakeholder engagement skills with a strong ability to influence and align with senior leaders in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with a focus on delivering outstanding experiences for both candidates and internal stakeholders.

Interested? We look forward to receive your application. 

You can expect a dynamic and successful company where innovation, courage, fairness and transparency are encouraged and your ideas are welcome. 

Experience VAT