Nicole Cummings

About Nicole Cummings

Talent Acquisition Lead | Strategic Recruitment Partner | Planning, Operations, and Technology, and Corporate Hiring ExpertWith 8+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience, I specialize in talent acquisition for the Architecture and Engineering (AE) industry, with a focus on Transportation Planning Operations, Smart Mobility, Curb Management, and Corporate/Administrative Support Services functions. In my current role as a Talent Acquisition Lead, I collaborate closely with hiring managers nationwide to develop data-informed, strategic recruitment plans that attract top-tier talent. I bring a proactive, relationship-driven approach to recruiting - blending strategic sourcing, passive talent engagement, and compelling job posting design. I\'m passionate about delivering a high-touch candidate and hiring manager experience while aligning recruitment strategies with business goals. Core Competencies:• Talent Acquisition Strategy• Candidate Sourcing (Passive & Active)• Planning, Technology & Operations, and Corporate/Administrative Recruiting in the AEC Industry• Employer Branding & Job Marketing• Recruitment Process/Tech Optimization• Stakeholder Collaboration• Operational Excellence• ATS & Recruitment Technologies (SME)Let’s connect if you\'re interested in recruitment innovation, cross-functional collaboration, or talent strategy in technical and operational spaces.I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact by actively listening, understanding the goals of all stakeholders, and adding value to every interaction. My focus on authenticity, loyalty, and fostering positive relationships fuels my passion for talent acquisition and supporting organizational success.

Experience

1. Talent Acquisition Lead - Planning, Operations, and Technology & Corporate Administrative Services

   Walker Consultants

   Dec 2025 — Present

   In my current role, I serve as a strategic talent partner within a high-growth engineering consulting firm, leading recruitment efforts for senior, technical, and leadership-level roles. Operating on a lean, high-impact recruiting team, I partner directly with executives and hiring leaders to align workforce strategy with long-term business goals. Particularly within the Planning, Operations, Technology, and Corporate/Administrative roles.Beyond full-cycle recruiting, my work centers on building scalable hiring infrastructure — refining processes, improving candidate experience, strengthening employer branding, and ensuring equitable, data-informed decision-making.What I focus on- Hiring Intern-to-Director level talent across national markets- Workforce planning aligned with firm growth objectives- Coaching leaders on interview strategy and competitive compensation positioning- Creating structured, bias-aware hiring processes- ATS Technology Leader- Leveraging market data to guide hiring strategyI’m particularly passionate about building strong, grounded teams that scale intentionally — where growth is thoughtful, fairness is considered, and talent decisions support both people and performance.

Education

• Oakland University

  Bachelor's degree, Major in Elementary Education and Teaching, Minor in Human Resource Development

  2013 — 2018

• Michigan State University - Eli Broad College of Business

  Master of Science - MS, Management, Strategy, and Leadership