Toast creates technology to help restaurants and local businesses succeed in a digital world, helping business owners operate, increase sales, engage customers, and keep employees happy. Toast is looking for a Principal Talent Acquisition Partner to serve as a strategic partner to support our growth and build our leadership layers. In this role, you won’t just fill seats; you will act as a "General Athlete" capable of navigating the distinct landscapes of R&D, GTM, Customer Success, and G&A.

We are looking for an experienced Recruiter who thrives in the "gray area" of ambiguity, possesses a curiosity for how different business units drive revenue, and is committed to using the latest AI-driven technologies to create a frictionless, high-touch experience for executive candidates and stakeholders. In this role, you’ll serve as a consultant to our VPs and SVPs, and a tech-forward practitioner who stays ahead of the curve.

A day in the life (Responsibilities)

Lead the end-to-end search strategy for Director to VP level roles across all business functions (Engineering, Sales, Product, CS, Finance, etc.).

Deeply immerse yourself in the goals of various business units to understand not just who they need to hire, but why they need to hire them in the context of our broader mission.

Proactively identify and utilize AI tools and emerging technologies to automate administrative tasks, enhance sourcing precision, and optimize the overall recruitment lifecycle for maximum efficiency.

Thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift; act as a stabilizing force who can provide clarity and direction to hiring managers during organizational change.

Architect a "white-glove" candidate journey that reflects Toast’s brand, ensuring every leadership prospect—regardless of the outcome—becomes a champion of our culture.

Partner with Compensation, Finance, and People Success to build holistic talent strategies, utilizing data and market insights to influence executive decision-making and navigate complex offer negotiations.

What you'll need to thrive (Requirements)

8+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience, with a significant focus on leadership/executive-level hiring in a high-growth environment.

The "General Athlete" Mindset: Proven ability to pivot between technical and non-technical functions with ease, learning new business domains quickly.

Tech Fluency: A passion for technology trends and a track record of implementing AI or automation tools to improve personal and team productivity.

Ambiguity Tolerance: High emotional intelligence (EQ) and the ability to drive results even when the roadmap isn't fully defined.

Consultative Communication: Exceptional ability to "speak the language" of various stakeholders, from engineers to sales leaders to C-suite executives.

Unwavering Equity Lens: A deep commitment to building diverse leadership teams and creating inclusive interview processes that mitigate bias.

AI at Toast

At Toast, one of our company values is that we're hungry to build and learn. We believe learning new AI tools empowers us to build for our customers faster, more independently, and with higher quality. We provide these tools across all disciplines, from Engineering and Product to Sales and Support, and are inspired by how our Toasters are already driving real value with them. The people who thrive here are those who embrace changes that let us build more for our customers; it’s a core part of our culture.

Our Total Rewards Philosophy

We strive to provide competitive compensation and benefits programs that help to attract, retain, and motivate the best and brightest people in our industry. Our total rewards package goes beyond great earnings potential and provides the means to a healthy lifestyle with the flexibility to meet Toasters’ changing needs. Learn more about our benefits at https://careers.toasttab.com/toast-benefits.

The base salary range for this role is listed below. The starting salary will be determined based on skills and experience. In addition to base salary, our total rewards components include cash compensation (overtime, bonus/commissions, if eligible), benefits, and equity (if eligible).

Pay Range

$114,000—$182,000 USD

How Toast Uses AI in its Hiring Process

Throughout the hiring process, our goal is to get to know you. We use AI tools to support our recruiters and interviewers with tasks like note-taking, summarization, and documentation of interviews to ensure they can be fully focused on your conversation. All hiring decisions are made by people.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is Baked into our Recipe for Success

At Toast, our employees are our secret ingredient—when they thrive, we thrive. The restaurant industry is one of the most diverse, and we embrace that diversity with authenticity, inclusivity, respect, and humility. By embedding these principles into our culture and design, we create equitable opportunities for all and raise the bar in delivering exceptional experiences.

We Thrive Together

We embrace a hybrid work model that fosters in-person collaboration while valuing individual needs. Our goal is to build a strong culture of connection as we work together to empower the restaurant community. To learn more about how we work globally and regionally, check out: https://careers.toasttab.com/locations-toast.

Apply today!

Toast is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive hiring process. As part of this commitment, we strive to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to enable them to access the hiring process. If you need an accommodation to access the job application or interview process, please contact candidateaccommodations@toasttab.com.

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For roles in the United States, it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Principal TA Partner, Leadership Recruiting

Job Description