Education Candidate Manager

Role Overview The Education Candidate Manager is a vital member of the recruitment team, responsible for managing the candidate lifecycle — from initial engagement and compliance checks through to placement and onboarding. The successful candidate will also play a key role in ensuring adherence to safeguarding and recruitment compliance standards (REC and internal policies). This role is ideal for individuals with strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and a passion for education and people. Key Responsibilities Candidate Management * Source, attract, and engage teaching professionals including teachers, teaching assistants, and school support staff * Manage the end-to-end recruitment cycle: screening, interviewing, referencing, onboarding * Build and maintain strong candidate relationships to ensure satisfaction and retention * Match candidates with suitable short-term, long-term, or permanent roles based on skills, experience, and preferences * Work collaboratively with recruitment consultants to meet regional staffing needs Compliance & Safeguarding * Ensure all candidates meet regulatory requirements (REC Code of Practice, KCSIE guidelines, and Apex Educ8 compliance protocols) * Process and monitor DBS checks, references, ID verification, right-to-work documentation, and training certificates * Identify and address potential compliance risks proactively * Maintain accurate, up-to-date candidate records and audit-ready files Administration & Coordination * Schedule interviews and coordinate placements in collaboration with consultants and clients * Track candidate availability, pipelines, and placement status using internal systems (CRM/ATS) * Assist with reporting on candidate activity, placement trends, and compliance metrics Person Specification Essential Skills & Attributes * Exceptional organisational and administrative skills * Strong written and verbal communication * Ability to manage high volumes of information with accuracy * Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented * Comfortable engaging with educators and school clients Preferred Experience * Minimum 1 year in recruitment, compliance, or administration * Experience working in the education sector (school, agency, or HR) * Familiarity with safeguarding requirements and right-to-work legislation Qualifications * Bachelor\’s degree or equivalent (preferred) * Relevant compliance, recruitment, or education-related certifications (desirable) What We Offer * Competitive base salary + bonus scheme * 20 days annual leave + UK bank holidays * Company pension scheme * Regular company events and team-building activities * Clear progression path and professional development opportunities * Access to wellbeing and employee assistance programmes * Enhanced maternity/paternity leave * Friendly, supportive, and values-driven team environment Work Environment This is an office-based role at our Watford headquarters. Candidates must be able to commute daily. Working hours are Monday to Friday, during standard business hours. Equal Opportunities Apex Educ8 is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences