We’re building a high-impact initiative in Nashville to help military veterans move into meaningful civilian careers. We’re looking for an HR Specialist focused on military transition — someone who understands both the HR/talent side and the unique realities of leaving the military. This is not a traditional non-profit, “just keep the program running” role. We need someone who can operate in startup mode: proactive, fast-moving, metrics-driven, and comfortable with pressure and accountability. You’ll be directly responsible for identifying, preparing, and placing veterans into roles where they can thrive — and proving it with results. Key ResponsibilitiesVeteran Talent Pipeline & Recruitment- Source and engage veterans, transitioning service members, Guard/Reserve, and military spouses through community partners, online channels, and direct outreach.- Conduct intake conversations and structured screenings to understand skills, interests, and constraints (location, pay, schedule, family, etc.).- Translate military experience (MOS/AFSC/ratings) into civilian-friendly resumes, profiles, and narratives. Career Coaching & Transition Support- Provide 1:1 and small-group coaching on resumes, interviewing, networking, and workplace expectations.- Help veterans understand and align their skills with realistic, high-opportunity civilian career paths.- Offer practical guidance on navigating culture shift from military to civilian workplaces. Employer & Role Matching- Partner closely with employers and the project manager to understand open roles and success profiles.- Match veterans to roles based on skills, potential, and employer needs — prioritizing quality of fit over volume.- Prepare candidates for specific interviews (briefing on company, role, and expectations) and debrief with them afterward. HR Operations & Process Improvement- Maintain accurate, up-to-date candidate records, notes, and status in our systems (ATS/CRM/spreadsheets).- Track candidate progress from first contact through placement and early tenure.- Improve and document repeatable processes for outreach, intake, coaching, and matching. Data, Reporting & Outcomes- Own and track clear metrics such as: number of veterans engaged, screened, ready-to-place, interviews scheduled, offers made, and successful placements.- Monitor early retention and satisfaction (veteran and employer) and flag issues early.- Share insights with the team to refine strategies, employer targeting, and support services. Community & Relationship Building- Build trusted relationships with veteran-serving organizations, TAP/skillbridge-like programs, colleges, and local veteran leaders.- Represent the organization at events, workshops, and info sessions in the veteran community.- Act as a bridge between the veteran community and employers, ensuring both sides feel heard and supported. Experience & Background- 3–6+ years of experience in HR, recruiting, talent acquisition, workforce development, or career services.- Direct exposure to the military or veteran community: prior service, Guard/Reserve, military spouse/partner, or substantial work with veteran-serving organizations.- Strong understanding of common challenges in the military-to-civilian transition (identity, culture fit, translating rank/skills, interviewing, pay negotiations).- Experience in or around non-profits is a plus, but you must be comfortable with a results-driven, fast-paced environment similar to a startup or high-growth team. Skills & Competencies- Proven ability to fill roles and move candidates through a pipeline, not just “support the process.”- Strong interviewing and assessment skills; you quickly understand both candidate strengths and role requirements.- Excellent communication skills: able to translate “military language” into terms employers understand — and vice versa.- Organized and detail-oriented: you keep clean records, follow up reliably, and manage many candidates at once.- Comfortable with data and basic tools (Excel/Sheets, ATS/CRM, etc.) to track and report on progress.- Able to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver under pressure and tight timelines. What You'll Bring (Nice to Have)- PMP, CAPM, or other project management certification.- Experience in workforce development, recruiting, career coaching, or HR.- Prior work in the Nashville ecosystem (employers, non-profits, workforce boards, veteran groups).- Experience launching or scaling new programs, pilots, or initiatives from scratch.