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- Tasks: Lead the Talent team, develop strategies, and enhance hiring processes.
- Company: Join a fast-growing company expanding into the US market with a focus on talent development.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, competitive salary, 25 days leave, and a personal development budget.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of talent acquisition in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in recruiting, with at least 5 years in hands-on roles and team leadership experience.
- Other info: Experience with Ashby is a plus; role requires in-person collaboration 2-3 days a week.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 130000 £ per year.
You’ll get stuck into all things Talent from day one, rolling your sleeves up, diving into the data, spotting quick wins, and helping us sharpen what’s already working. But this isn’t just about today. We need someone who can zoom out and help us scale: the team, the processes, and everything in between. You’ll be leading a team and not just in name. You know how to coach, develop, and bring people with you. You hold the bar high but you do it with empathy. You get the best out of your team because they trust you and they know you’ve got their back.
You’ll be the connective tissue between the Talent team and the Senior Leadership Team, partnering closely with senior leadership on everything from workforce planning to hiring strategy to bar-setting. You know how to manage up, across, and through complexity. You’re calm under pressure and bring clarity to the table. You’ll play a key role in our US expansion. We opened a NYC office this year and are scaling fast - so we need someone who knows how to build talent strategies across markets, understands local hiring nuances, and can help us land well in the US.
We’ve done well scrappily, but scrappy won’t scale. You’ll bring structure and rigour to how we hire: fairer, faster, and more future-proofed. That means building inclusive, high-quality interview processes, streamlining tooling and reporting, and generally making things just work. (We’re rolling out Ashby this summer - so you won’t be starting from scratch.)
The Must-Haves (and a Few Nice-to-Haves)
- At least 8 years of experience in recruiting overall.
- At least five years in hands-on recruiting roles.
- Experience leading a team, managing at least 4 people for 3+ years.
- Experience scaling teams with a mix of perm hires and flexible contingent workers.
- Experience scaling a business through a similar growth journey, ideally from around 80 to 150 people in a year.
- Experience in senior conversations, comfortable setting hiring strategy and shaping workforce plans.
- Experience building engineering and GTM teams from scratch, ideally in both the UK and US.
- Hands-on experience in running a hiring process as well as designing the wider strategy.
- Experience building equitable, thoughtful, high-integrity hiring processes.
- Proactive, pragmatic, and thrive in ambiguity.
- Experience guiding and elevating employer brand efforts.
A few nice-to-haves...
- Experience working with Ashby.
What can you expect from our interview process?
- Talent Screen - 45 mins
- Talent Team Interview - 1 hr
- Take Home Task
- Task Review Workshop - 1.5 hrs
- Culture Interview - 30 mins (in person at the London Orbital office)
Compensation: We offer a competitive starting salary of £110–120,000, depending on experience. We share salary ranges upfront to build trust, reduce bias, and support an inclusive process.
Flexible Work: This role is based in our London office two to three days a week, with additional time in as needed.
Preparing for your future: We match your pension contributions and provide ownership in the company through options.
Rest and Recharge: Everyone gets 25 days of paid annual leave, plus bank holidays.
Equipment & Development: We provide top-quality equipment, a personal development budget of £1000 per year, and ongoing training opportunities.
Cycle to work: We support commuting through our Cycle to Work scheme.
Belonging & Community: Expect regular team off-sites, shared lunches, and social events.
Head of Talent (London) employer: Orbital
Contact Detail:
Orbital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Talent (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our company culture and values. Understanding what makes StudySmarter unique will help you align your approach to talent management with our mission, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the role and the team dynamics, which you can leverage during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully scaled teams in previous roles. Highlighting your hands-on experience and strategic thinking will demonstrate your capability to lead our Talent team effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in talent acquisition and employer branding. Being able to discuss innovative strategies during your interview will show that you're proactive and ready to contribute to our growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Talent (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in talent acquisition and team leadership. Focus on quantifiable achievements, such as the number of hires you've successfully managed or the growth you've facilitated in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to showcase your passion for talent management and your understanding of the company's needs. Mention specific strategies you would implement to enhance their hiring processes and how your experience aligns with their goals.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Since this role involves leading a team, emphasise your direct line management experience. Provide examples of how you've coached and developed team members, and how you've fostered a culture of trust and collaboration.
Showcase Adaptability: Demonstrate your ability to thrive in fast-paced environments by sharing experiences where you've successfully navigated change or ambiguity. Highlight any experience you have with scaling teams or processes, especially in different markets like the UK and US.
How to prepare for a job interview at Orbital
✨Show Your Hands-On Experience
Make sure to highlight your hands-on recruiting experience during the interview. Discuss specific challenges you've faced in sourcing and closing candidates, especially in tricky hiring markets, as this will demonstrate your ability to navigate complexities.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed and developed your team members. Talk about your coaching style and how you foster trust and collaboration within your team.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss your experience in shaping hiring strategies and workforce plans. Be ready to explain how you've scaled teams in previous roles, particularly during rapid growth phases, and how you maintained quality throughout the process.
✨Focus on Candidate Experience
Talk about your commitment to creating equitable and thoughtful hiring processes. Share specific examples of how you've improved candidate experiences in the past, as this aligns with the company's values and goals.
