Executive Search
The VCU HR Executive Search team is an internal group of recruiting and search associates dedicated to identifying and attracting exceptional leaders to Virginia Commonwealth University.
Our executive search team is intimately familiar with the administration and culture of VCU. We have a strong commitment to building sustainable relationships and delivering executive talent pools that have the power to transform our organization. There is no one size fits all solution to recruiting quality talent and thus we are committed to providing distinctive, individually tailored search support.
Read about some of our past placements.
Current searches
The following executive positions are currently under active recruitment by the Executive Search team:
121
Searches Supported
$5.5 Million
Cost Savings
5/5
Customer Satisfaction
Meet the Executive Search Team
Tanya Giscombe
Director, Talent Strategy - Executive Search
Tanya Giscombe serves as the Director of Talent Acquisition for the Executive Search team at VCU Human Resources, where she leads strategic efforts to identify, attract, and retain top executive and senior-level leadership. With more than 20 years of progressive human resources experience, Tanya brings deep expertise in talent acquisition, talent management, recruitment strategy, and organizational leadership.
Her career spans national and global corporate manufacturing firms as well as public sector organizations, where she has consistently delivered impactful talent solutions that align with long-term business goals. Known for her ability to build strong partnerships and deliver results in complex, high-stakes environments, Tanya plays a critical role in shaping the leadership pipeline at VCU.
Tanya holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Virginia State University. She is SHRM-CP certified and an active member of both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).
Ariel Haughton
Talent Strategy Recruiter - Executive Search
Ariel serves as the Talent Strategy Recruiter for Virginia Commonwealth University’s Human Resources Executive Search Team, where she plays a key role in advancing high‑level recruitment efforts across the institution. In this capacity, she leads candidate sourcing strategies, conducts in‑depth initial screenings, facilitates first‑round virtual interviews, and manages critical components of the executive recruitment lifecycle. She also partners closely with hiring leaders and the Executive Search Team to support outreach, candidate engagement, and the coordination of strategic recruitment initiatives.
Ariel is a dedicated and results‑driven talent acquisition professional who values collaboration, integrity, and a positive, solutions‑oriented approach to her work. She brings a broad and accomplished recruitment background spanning the Information Technology, Missile Defense and Aerospace, Healthcare, and Behavioral Health industries.
Since joining VCU, Ariel has found her work in higher education and particularly within the Executive Search Team to be deeply rewarding. She continues to expand her expertise and remains committed to supporting the university’s mission through thoughtful, strategic, and relationship‑centered recruitment practices.
Contact Us
For questions or more information, contact the Executive Search team at recruiting@vcu.edu.