Tori Schaefer

About Tori Schaefer

I am a senior Talent and HR executive with 20-plus years of experience building high-performing teams and shaping people strategies that accelerate business growth. My career spans early-stage biotech, global pharmaceutical companies, and medical device organizations, where I have led enterprise-wide talent acquisition, HR operations, and organizational development to deliver measurable results.What sets me apart is a foundation in science — a PhD in life sciences, extensive drug development research, and years leading R&D teams before transitioning into corporate leadership. This unique perspective enables me to deeply understand the skills, competencies, and cultural fit needed to drive success in highly technical, regulated, and innovation-driven environments.I have built HR and Talent functions from the ground up, scaled recruiting operations to meet aggressive growth goals, and partnered with executive teams to align people strategy with business priorities. I have led and personally executed executive recruitment efforts, placing transformative leaders who drive organizational success. My network spans the full life sciences value chain from discovery research and clinical development to commercial operations, allowing me to identify and engage top-tier talent across all functions.As a strategic partner to leadership, I excel at designing talent strategies that foster organizational agility, strengthen culture, and position companies for sustainable success. Whether building teams, guiding workforce planning, or advising on executive hiring, I bring a results-driven approach that harnesses the strengths of individuals and teams to fuel innovation and growth.

Experience

1. Senior Director, Client Solutions & Scientific Partnerships

   Mix Talent

   Jan 2024 — Present

   Currently, as the Senior Director of Client Solutions & Scientific Partnerships at Mix Talent, I lead the Life Sciences R&D Recruitment Vertical and spearhead our Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) solution. In this role, I collaborate with a diverse portfolio of life sciences organizations—including biotech, pharmaceutical, and biopharmaceutical companies—to design, implement, and execute tailored talent acquisition strategies. I provide comprehensive recruitment services that scale with client needs, ensuring the delivery of high-impact talent to fuel innovation and drive growth.

Education

• Mount St. Joseph University

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biological Sciences

  2000 — 2004

• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Molecular and Developmental Biology

  2004 — 2009