Talent Acquisition Associate (Freelance)

ITP Media Group is the Middle East’s leading content creation and publishing house, producing over 80 brands across digital, print, events, and social, including Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Esquire Middle East, and Time Out Dubai. We operate at pace, delivering market-leading content and commercial results across the GCC, India, UK, and US markets.

As our Talent Acquisition Associate/Specialist, you’ll play a critical operational role supporting in all aspects of the recruitment lifecycle for junior and mid-level roles. This is not just a scheduling or admin job – you’ll be trusted with owning key pieces of the hiring process, keeping the engine running efficiently while ensuring a seamless experience for candidates, hiring managers, and the wider People team.

You’ll be the go-to person for executional support. Highly organized, responsive, and detail-oriented, while staying agile and composed in a culture that moves at lightning speed.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct first-round phone or video screening interviews for junior to mid-level roles, assessing candidate fit and qualifications
  
• Source candidates proactively on LinkedIn and other platforms based on defined search criteria
  
• Post job descriptions across internal and external channels, including job boards and careers pages, ensuring timely and accurate publication
  
• Review inbound applications daily, identifying and flagging strong candidates aligned with role requirements
  
• Manage interview scheduling, candidate reschedules, and follow-up communications to maintain a positive candidate experience
  
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date candidate data, statuses, and notes within the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
  
• Track and consolidate interview feedback, proactively following up with hiring managers to keep the process moving efficiently
  
• Assist with administrative tasks related to recruitment, such as coordinating reference and background checks
  
• Participate in weekly working sessions with the Senior Talent Acquisition Partner to review assigned roles, prioritize tasks, and resolve recruitment challenges
  
• Follow up on ad hoc coordination tasks and requests emerging from meetings or recruitment needs
  
• Support recruitment events, hiring drives, and candidate pipelining campaigns, contributing to employer branding and talent outreach efforts
  
• Conduct research on market trends and role-specific talent pools to inform sourcing strategies
  
• Assist in planning and preparation for recruitment drives, university engagement events, career fairs, and diversity sourcing initiatives
  

Personal attributes and essential skills

The ideal candidate will bring a strong mix of executional excellence and interpersonal maturity. We’re looking for someone who demonstrates:

· High responsiveness and adaptability – Works efficiently in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment with urgency and accuracy. Able to pivot quickly without losing focus or momentum.

• Emotionally intelligent — can read the room, respond calmly, and represent the TA team well
  
• Active listening and comprehension – Quickly grasp expectations, takes direction well, and asks thoughtful questions to ensure clarity.
  
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills
  
• Ability to manage multiple active roles and shifting priorities under pressure
  
• Structured and process-focused – Brings organization and consistency to workflows, and helps identify opportunities for process improvement.
  
• Proactive, positive, and solutions-oriented
  
• Calm under pressure – Maintains composure and a solutions-oriented mindset when managing multiple deadlines, last-minute changes, or unexpected issues
  

Experience / Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in talent acquisition, HR or a similar role
  
• Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
  
• Familiarity with sourcing tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, job boards, Boolean search, etc.)
  
• Experience in a media and publishing company or agency environments is a bonus
  
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred but not mandatory