Director, Talent Acquisition

TLDR

Lead the transformation of GumGum's talent acquisition strategy while directly engaging in high-priority recruitment efforts within a collaborative, metrics-driven team environment.

GumGum is The Mindset Company™ transforming advertising. We’re an advertising technology company delivering results by matching brands with people in the right mindset, without the use of personal data, in the moments that matter. Our platform is powered by the Mindset Graph™, our AI-driven data engine that processes billions of real-time contextual, creative, environmental, and historical signals to match every ad with the most receptive audience. The result is advertising that drives meaningful outcomes for advertisers and publishers, and is more relevant for consumers.

We were founded in 2008 and are headquartered in Santa Monica, California, operating in over 19 markets across North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

Our principles guide our work every day and are as follows:

  • Customer-Obsessed: We’re focused on advertising solutions that solve needs and drive success for clients and partners.
  • Make it Happen: We have a bias for action and take ownership to deliver results.
  • Always Innovate: We push boundaries with creativity and technology.
  • Foster Belonging: We ensure colleagues feel included, supported, and empowered to thrive.

To be a part of The Mindset Company™ transforming advertising, please visit www.gumgum.com/careers.

GumGum is hiring a Director of Talent Acquisition to modernize and elevate our global TA function. This role reports directly to the Chief People Officer and serves as a core member of the GumGum People (HR) Leadership Team.

Our recruiting engine is strong and dependable. As the business evolves, we’re ready to elevate the function to be more strategic, metrics-driven, and commercially aligned. We are looking for a leader who will move the function from solid execution to disciplined, metrics-driven, commercially aligned talent acquisition.

This is a true player-coach role. Approximately 50% of this role will be dedicated to personally leading high-priority searches, particularly within GTM and Sales. The remaining 50% will focus on building strategy, systems, capability, and performance discipline across the function.

If you are looking for a purely strategic oversight role, this is not it.

Note: GumGum fosters a flexible work environment, offering GumGummers the ability to work either in-office or remotely/from home. However, for occasional in-person collaboration, we kindly ask that this position be located within a 'commutable' distance to our office.

What You'll Achieve

  • TA Strategy and Operating Model
    • Design and evolve GumGum’s global TA strategy aligned to business priorities and workforce planning
    • Establish clear hiring prioritization frameworks in partnership with Sales, Technology, Customer Success, Operations, and executive leadership
    • Move the function from reactive requisition fulfillment to proactive talent partnership
    • Define where recruiting effort should be concentrated — and where it should not
    • Ensure global consistency across the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Australia, and Japan
  • Metrics, Reporting, and Accountability 
    • Build dashboards and reporting that drive decisions, not just visibility
    • Use data to redirect effort and improve hiring outcomes
    • Foster a culture of accountability within the TA team
    • Provide clear, executive-ready insight to leadership
  • Directing Recruiting and Execution
    • Personally lead a portfolio of high-impact searches, particularly GTM and revenue-generating roles
    • Partner credibly with Sales leadership on role definition, candidate calibration, and closing strategy
    • Step into complex, sensitive, or Director+ searches when needed
    • Model speed, rigor, and ownership in execution
  • Team Leadership and Capability Building
    • Lead and develop a lean global TA team
    • Elevate the Talent Acquisition team members through coaching and performance expectations
    • Fully leverage TA Operations to increase sourcing efficiency and process discipline
    • Assess capability gaps and recommend thoughtful scaling decisions
    • Set a high bar for professionalism, candidate experience, and hiring manager partnership
  • Process and Technology Modernization
    • Evaluate and improve recruiting workflows, systems, and automation
    • Ensure TA is technically adept and leveraging tools effectively
    • Assess external vendor usage and ensure strong ROI
    • Continuously refine recruiting methodology to increase predictability and quality

Skills You'll Bring

  • 10+ years of progressive Talent Acquisition experience
  • Proven experience leading or rebuilding a TA function at Sr. Manager / Director level or equivalent
  • Demonstrated ability to design and execute TA strategy in lean, high-expectation environments
  • Strong GTM / Sales recruiting background; ad tech or adjacent tech experience strongly preferred
  • Recent hands-on recruiting experience, including personally carrying and closing complex searches
  • Experience building recruiting dashboards and using data to influence decisions
  • Executive presence and the ability to challenge senior stakeholders constructively
  • Willingness to flex working hours as needed to support global hiring

What We Offer

At GumGum, competitive base pay is a part of a total rewards package which also includes benefits, an emphasis on recognition, development, and wellness. The reasonable estimated base pay range for this role is from $188,000 - $227,500  The actual amount may be higher or lower. Individual compensation will vary based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant qualifications, work location, and labor market conditions.

The total rewards package offered also includes an employer-matched 401(k) retirement plan, and depending on the role, participation in a bonus, commission, or stock incentive program. Your recruiter can share more specifics during the hiring process. Learn more about our U.S. benefits & perks package at gumgum.com/benefits.

Awards

  • 2025 & 2026 Digiday Media Awards Europe Best Contextual Targeting Offering
  • 2025 AdExchanger Awards AI Innovators, Technology & Service Provider, Finalist
  • 2025 MARKETECH APAC Marketing Technology Awards Silver Winner for Best Contextual Advertising Tech Platform
  • 2025 Inc. B2B Power Partner
  • 2025 ExchangeWire The Wires Global Best Client Services team winner (GumGum UK)
  • 2025 and 2026 BuiltIn Best U.S. Midsize Companies to Work For

DEIB and EEO Statement

GumGum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to creating a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and able to do their best work. We believe different perspectives make us stronger and lead to better outcomes—for our teams, our partners, and our business. We strive to build an environment where individuals are treated fairly, opportunities are accessible, and everyone is held to a high standard of respect and accountability.

We're always learning and evolving as a company, and we continue to take thoughtful steps to support our people and strengthen our culture.

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GumGum builds AI-powered solutions that enhance digital advertising by focusing on contextual relevance rather than personal data. Targeting advertisers and brands, the company leverages computer vision technology to maximize ad effectiveness while ensuring brand safety across various markets.

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Salary
$188,000 – $227,500 per year
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