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Principal Recruiter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Principal Recruiter

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

The Principal Recruiter at The SR Group, US Inc, NYC office, plays a critical role in driving the recruitment strategy to meet our client's growth and operational goals. This position is responsible ...

Principal Recruiter

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site

$82K - $168K/yr

The Principal Recruiter will lead complex and high-impact searches, utilizing advanced sourcing strategies to identify and engage hard-to-find and passive candidates across multiple platforms. This ...

We are looking to add a Principal Recruiter to US team to support our Product & Engineering teams out of our Arlington office. In this role, you'll get the opportunity to directly impact our growth ...

Principal Recruiter

Rolling Meadows, IL · On-site +1

$82K - $168K/yr

The Principal Recruiter will lead complex and highimpact searches, utilizing advanced sourcing strategies to identify and engage hardtofind and passive candidates across multiple platforms. This role ...

We are looking to add a Principal Recruiter to US team to support our Product & Engineering teams out of our Arlington office. In this role, you'll get the opportunity to directly impact our growth ...

Principal Recruiter

Raleigh, NC · On-site +1

$82K - $168K/yr

The Principal Recruiter will lead complex and highimpact searches, utilizing advanced sourcing strategies to identify and engage hardtofind and passive candidates across multiple platforms. This role ...

Richardson, TX; San Jose, CA or Folsom, CA Role Summary The Principal Recruiter (P5) is the most senior individual contributor in enterprise recruiting. This role solves cross-organizational and ...

Tetra Tech is currently seeking a Principal Recruiter with expertise in identifying, recruiting, and hiring candidates of strategic level business importance to Tetra Tech. Our strategic hiring focus ...

Tetra Tech is currently seeking a Principal Recruiter with expertise in identifying, recruiting, and hiring candidates of strategic level business importance to Tetra Tech. Our strategic hiring focus ...

We're bring on Principal Recruiters who can independently own end-to-end searches within civil engineering, architecture, construction, or adjacent AEC markets. You'll be responsible for managing the ...

We're looking for a Principal GTM Recruiter to join our growing team in Austin and play a key role in building the talent foundation for Wise's continued growth across the Americas. In this role, you ...

Richardson, TX; San Jose, CA or Folsom, CA Role Summary The Principal Recruiter (P5) is the most senior individual contributor in enterprise recruiting. This role solves cross-organizational and ...

We're bring on Principal Recruiters who can independently own end-to-end searches within civil engineering, architecture, construction, or adjacent AEC markets. You'll be responsible for managing the ...

We're bring on Principal Recruiters who can independently own end-to-end searches within civil engineering, architecture, construction, or adjacent AEC markets. You'll be responsible for managing the ...

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Principal Recruiter information

See salary details

$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

How much do principal recruiter jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal recruiter in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Principal Recruiters?

Principal Recruiters are senior-level talent acquisition professionals responsible for leading recruitment strategies, sourcing top talent, and often mentoring junior recruiters. They typically handle high-priority or executive-level searches and collaborate closely with business leaders to understand hiring needs. Principal Recruiters play a key role in shaping an organization’s recruiting processes and employer branding, ensuring the company attracts and retains the best candidates.

How does a Principal Recruiter typically collaborate with hiring managers and executive leadership during the recruitment process?

As a Principal Recruiter, collaboration with hiring managers and executive leadership is integral to understanding strategic talent needs and aligning recruitment strategies accordingly. You will often participate in intake meetings to define role requirements, advise on market trends, and develop customized sourcing plans. Regular communication ensures that candidate profiles meet both the technical and cultural fit for the organization, and you may also coach interviewers on best practices. Building strong relationships across departments is key to driving successful hiring outcomes at this senior level.

What is the difference between Principal Recruiter vs Senior Recruiter?

AspectPrincipal RecruiterSenior Recruiter
CredentialsTypically requires 5+ years of recruiting experience, industry certifications (e.g., AIRS, SHRM), and strong leadership skillsUsually 3-5 years of recruiting experience, relevant certifications, and proven sourcing abilities
Work EnvironmentLeads large or complex recruiting projects, mentors junior staff, and collaborates with hiring managers at strategic levelsHandles full-cycle recruiting for specific roles, supports team efforts, and maintains candidate pipelines
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly found in large organizations, staffing agencies, and corporate HR departmentsWidely used across industries, especially in corporate recruiting teams and staffing firms

The Principal Recruiter typically has more experience, handles complex recruiting initiatives, and provides leadership within the recruiting team. In contrast, the Senior Recruiter focuses on executing recruiting processes for specific roles and supporting team activities. Both roles are essential but differ mainly in scope, responsibility, and strategic involvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Recruiter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Recruiter, you need deep expertise in talent acquisition, sourcing strategies, interview techniques, and typically several years of recruiting experience. Familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS), HR analytics tools, and relevant certifications like SHRM or AIRS are often expected. Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills help Principal Recruiters stand out. These competencies are crucial for attracting top talent, driving hiring initiatives, and aligning recruitment processes with organizational goals.
More about Principal Recruiter jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Recruiter jobs? Cities with the most Principal Recruiter job openings:
What states have the most Principal Recruiter jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Recruiter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Principal Recruiter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Recruiter jobs are:
Infographic showing various Principal Recruiter job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Principal Recruiter

The SR Group US Inc

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

About Company:

The SR Group is a global search and recruitment company that includes specialist consultancies such as Brewer Morris, Frazer Jones, and Taylor Root. Each of our recruitment brands is a leader in its field. No matter where you work within The SR Group, we provide a career path that ensures your aspirations are always within reach.

Our in-house learning and development experts, many of whom have been recruiters themselves, support new joiners to hit the ground running and help experienced professionals advance into senior and leadership roles.

Over the years, this structured pathway has proven successful, with many of our most influential managers and leaders having benefited from it directly.

We offer limitless opportunities, empowering our people to achieve their career goals.

About the Role:

The Principal Recruiter at The SR Group, US Inc, NYC office, plays a critical role in driving the recruitment strategy to meet our client’s growth and operational goals. This position is responsible for leading full-cycle recruitment efforts, from sourcing and engaging top-tier candidates, and managing the interview and offer process with hiring managers to acquiring and driving new business. The Principal Recruiter will collaborate closely with business leaders on Marketing and Sales positions to develop innovative sourcing strategies that attract diverse and highly qualified talent. This role requires a strategic mindset combined with hands-on execution to build strong talent pipelines and enhance the overall candidate experience. Ultimately, the Principal Recruiter will contribute significantly to the company’s success by ensuring the right people are hired to support business objectives and foster a high-performance culture.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Marketing or a related field.
  • At least 7 years of 360-desk recruiting experience, preferably in a staffing agency environment.
  • Proven track record of successfully recruiting for senior-level and specialized positions.
  • Strong knowledge of applicant tracking systems (ATS) (preferably Bullhorn) and other recruitment technologies.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Human Resources or related discipline.
  • Experience recruiting in the technology, finance, or professional services industries.
  • Certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or AIRS Certified Recruiter.
  • Familiarity with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recruitment strategies.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead recruitment teams or projects.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead end-to-end recruitment processes for senior and specialized roles across multiple departments.
  • Own and manage a 360-desk: client acquisition, job intake, candidate sourcing, interviewing, and placement
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and candidates
  • Partner with hiring managers and leadership to define hiring needs, role requirements, and candidate profiles.
  • Develop and implement creative sourcing strategies including direct sourcing, networking, and leveraging social media platforms.
  • Manage candidate pipelines, conduct interviews, and provide timely feedback to ensure a smooth hiring process.
  • Maintain accurate recruitment metrics and reports to track progress and improve hiring effectiveness.
  • Coach and mentor junior recruiters to enhance team capabilities and ensure consistent recruitment standards.
  • Stay current with industry trends and best practices to continuously improve recruitment processes and employer branding.

Skills:

The Principal Recruiter utilizes strong communication and interpersonal skills daily to build relationships with candidates and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment on hiring needs and expectations. Advanced sourcing skills are applied to identify and engage passive candidates through various channels, including social media and professional networks. Analytical skills are essential for interpreting recruitment metrics and adjusting strategies to improve efficiency and quality of hires. Leadership and mentoring skills are used to guide junior recruiters, fostering a collaborative and high-performing recruitment team. Additionally, proficiency with ATS and recruitment software streamlines workflow and enhances candidate tracking and reporting.