Talent Acquisition Manager
Talent Acquisition Manager

Talent Acquisition Manager

Full-Time 42500 - 57500 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead recruitment for diverse roles and build meaningful relationships with candidates.
  • Company: Join ARIA, a pioneering R&D funding agency in London.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 27 days leave, hybrid work, and a supportive learning environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting top talent with groundbreaking research opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Experience in end-to-end recruitment and a knack for sourcing exceptional talent.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent career growth potential.

The predicted salary is between 42500 - 57500 £ per year.

Application Deadline: 15 February 2026

Department: People Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Compensation: £50,000 / year

Description

Salary: c. £50,000. Bonus: Discretionary. Location: Kings Cross, London (Tuesdays-Thursdays - 3 days in our office, Monday + Friday - anywhere). Employment Type: Permanent, full time.

ARIA is a new kind of R&D funding agency. We fund scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of the possible. From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on.

We are growing our team to develop bold new approaches that can scale – from programmes to systems, processes and everything in between. If that sounds fun, come and build ARIA with us.

Role Summary: At ARIA, we believe that breakthroughs are driven by people. As our Talent Acquisition Manager, you will be at the heart of our operational engine. While others see recruitment as a process, you see it as relationship-building at scale. You will act as the bridge between the world’s best talent and our mission. You won’t just be the architect of our hiring machinery; you will be the custodian of the candidate relationship, ensuring that every interaction is human, thoughtful, and engaging. You will use your expertise to make everything run smoothly, allowing genuine connections to flourish between candidates and our teams.

What you’ll do

  • Full-Cycle Operational Hiring: Lead end-to-end recruitment for ARIA’s essential operational functions, including Finance, Communications, People, Procurement, Policy, and the Executive Office. We are not just looking for exceptional talent, but for diverse, mission oriented, and values driven people.
  • ATS Architect: Take full product ownership of our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). You will design custom workflows, automate manual tasks, and ensure data integrity so that our hiring decisions are backed by real-time insights.
  • Candidate Concierge: Act as an ambassador for ARIA. You will manage complex, multi-time-zone interview loops for our candidates and hiring managers, ensuring every candidate, regardless of the outcome, feels valued, heard, and receives a first-class experience.
  • Playbook & Brand Stewardship: Work with the Head of TA to refine and professionalise our Recruitment Playbook. You’ll ensure our templates, scorecards, and outreach are consistent, high-quality, and resonate with both the entrepreneurial and public sector ecosystems.
  • Employer Branding & Outreach: Help tell the ARIA story. You’ll partner with our Comms team to manage our presence on platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor, and help at events to build a community around our mission; using your sourcing skills to build proactive pipelines of talent, driving faster time to hire.
  • Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with the Head of Talent, assisting with high-priority executive searches, helping select new tools that complement our talent tech-stack, and navigating the intersection of startup agility and government transparency.

Who you are

Essential criteria

  • You have deep experience managing the end to end recruiting process for a range of roles, up to a senior level.
  • You have a strong track record in actively sourcing for hard to fill roles, moving beyond organic applications to hunt for exceptional talent.
  • You’re a systems thinker where you don’t just do tasks; you build systems to make everything run smoother. You have a track record of using tech to eliminate friction.
  • You’re agile and adaptable, thriving in environments where the right way isn’t always written down.
  • You’re highly organised. We typically run campaign-style recruiting processes that require careful planning, communicating upfront timeframes, and close coordination both internally and externally.
  • Being detail-obsessed, you understand that in a high-stakes agency, small details, error-free comms, consistent branding and seamless scheduling - build the credibility that’s needed to hire the best.

Desirable Criteria

  • Previous experience in a fast-paced, start-up/scale-up environment.
  • Experience recruiting for niche technical or scientific roles, with the willingness and curiosity to help with key hiring processes in and around our opportunity spaces.
  • You understand the UK talent landscape. You can speak the language of R&D and innovation, and you appreciate the nuances of hiring for a high-profile public agency.

Tools & Notes

We are constantly looking to build on our talent tech-stack, where it will improve recruiting processes and outcomes. See below for some of the tools we’ve implemented so far: Pinpoint (ATS), LinkedIn Recruiter, Metaview, Applied, Airtable, and access to a suite of enterprise-grade LLMs (including Gemini and ChatGPT). We are a Google native organisation.

Please submit your current CV, cover letter detailing your suitability for this role and some additional questions. A cover letter is required for your application to be considered for the next stage.

Benefits

  • 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
  • Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home
  • Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
  • Enhanced family leave arrangements
  • A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
  • Life Assurance
  • 2 days of paid volunteer days
  • 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • An excellent office location in Kings X, London

Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.

ARIA adopts a highly considered approach to ethical and social responsibility.

Talent Acquisition Manager employer: Aria

At ARIA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and innovative work culture in the heart of Kings Cross, London. With a focus on employee growth, we offer extensive learning opportunities, hybrid working arrangements, and a generous benefits package including enhanced family leave and volunteer days. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team where your contributions will directly impact groundbreaking research and development initiatives.
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Contact Detail:

Aria Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Talent Acquisition Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching ARIA’s mission and values. Understand what makes them tick and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. This shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in being part of their journey.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You want to make a memorable impression, so have a clear and concise summary of your experience and what you bring to the table. Tailor it to highlight how you can contribute to ARIA’s unique approach to R&D funding.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm and professionalism. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their hiring decisions.

We think you need these skills to ace Talent Acquisition Manager

End-to-End Recruitment
Sourcing Skills
Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Management
Data Integrity
Candidate Relationship Management
Recruitment Playbook Development
Employer Branding
Strategic Collaboration
Organisational Skills
Attention to Detail
Agility and Adaptability
Communication Skills
Understanding of UK Talent Landscape
Experience in Fast-Paced Environments
Technical Recruitment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure it reflects your personality and passion for the role. Tell us why you’re excited about joining ARIA and how your experience aligns with our mission.

Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience in talent acquisition and recruitment. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we’re looking for.

Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills: As a Talent Acquisition Manager, relationship-building is key. In your application, share examples of how you've fostered connections with candidates and hiring teams in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We love it when you apply directly through our website! It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the best experience. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Aria

✨Know the Company Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into ARIA's mission and values. Understand their approach to R&D funding and how they aim to tackle societal challenges. This knowledge will help you connect your experience with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.

✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills

As a Talent Acquisition Manager, your role is all about building relationships. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully nurtured candidate relationships or improved hiring processes. Highlight how you can bring that same energy to ARIA, ensuring every candidate feels valued.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Systems Thinking

Since ARIA values a systems thinker, come prepared to discuss how you've implemented or improved recruitment systems in previous roles. Share specific tools or technologies you've used, like ATS, and how they helped streamline processes. This will demonstrate your ability to enhance their hiring machinery.

✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street, so think of insightful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about their current challenges in talent acquisition or how they envision the role evolving as ARIA grows. This shows your strategic thinking and genuine interest in contributing to their success.

Talent Acquisition Manager
Aria

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