At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate recruitment strategies for a dynamic operational workforce across the UK.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company at the forefront of talent acquisition in transport.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to shape the future of recruitment.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building sustainable talent pipelines and enhancing candidate experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in talent acquisition with a focus on high-volume recruitment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Head of Talent Acquisition – Operations to lead the design, delivery and continuous improvement of our operational recruitment strategy across the UK. This role will oversee a team of Talent Acquisition Business Partners supporting large‑scale, fast‑paced operational workforces across Bus, Rail and Operational functions. You will shape the attraction and hiring strategy for volume and specialist roles, drive innovation through technology and data‑led decision making, and ensure we provide an exceptional candidate and hiring manager experience at every stage. This is a high‑impact leadership role at the centre of our operational success, ensuring we hire the talent we need today while building sustainable pipelines for the future.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver the UK Operations Talent Acquisition strategy aligned to business growth, workforce planning and operational priorities.
- Lead, coach and develop a team of TA Business Partners to deliver a proactive, value‑adding recruitment service across the UK.
- Partner with senior operations leaders to understand future capability needs and create multi‑channel recruitment and talent pipeline solutions.
- Champion continuous improvement, innovation and modernisation of recruitment practices and solutions.
- Operational Excellence
- Oversee end‑to‑end delivery of recruitment across large, complex operational environments, ensuring performance against KPIs including time‑to‑hire, quality of hire and candidate experience.
- Ensure all activity is compliant with employment law, best practice recruitment standards and internal governance requirements.
- Lead the optimisation and utilisation of assessment platforms, digital scheduling tools, screening solutions and workforce analytics.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
- Build strong, trusted relationships with operational, HR and leadership teams across the UK.
- Provide expert advice on market conditions, hiring challenges and effective talent strategies, influencing key decision makers.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex, high‑volume or critical recruitment needs.
- Represent Talent Acquisition at operational leadership meetings, immersing yourself into the operation and their teams.
- Attraction, Branding & Market Positioning
- Drive the development of targeted attraction campaigns for operational roles including Drivers, Engineers and Operational functions.
- Work closely with Employer Brand and Communications to ensure consistent storytelling and promotion of our employee value proposition across the UK.
- Identify opportunities to expand talent pools through alternative routes, partnerships, community initiatives and early careers pathways.
- Data, Insight & Performance Management
- Use recruitment analytics to provide insight, reporting and recommendations that improve performance and drive strategic decisions.
- Monitor TA operational metrics and lead regular performance reviews with the TA Business Partner team.
- Track labour market trends to proactively address current and emerging hiring challenges.
- Work closely with the HR Business Partnering team on retention data and pay & benchmarking initiatives.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience leading Talent Acquisition teams within large, complex, multi‑site operational environments (transport, logistics, retail, healthcare or similar).
- Strong understanding of high‑volume and specialist recruitment, including assessment design, selection methodologies and candidate engagement techniques.
- Demonstrable experience building and delivering recruitment strategies that improve efficiency, quality and diversity.
- Ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and influence at senior level.
- Highly data‑driven, comfortable working with metrics and translating insight into action.
- Strong people leadership capability with a passion for developing teams.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to operate in a fast‑paced environment managing multiple priorities.
- Knowledge of Employer Branding, digital attraction channels and market‑leading recruitment technology.
Desirable
- Experience within the transport sector (Bus or Rail) or comparable regulated environments.
- Experience working across unionised environments.
- Experience with Workday – our ATS/HRIS.
Head of Talent Acquisition - Operations in London employer: Arriva Group
As a leading employer in the transport sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and innovation. Our Head of Talent Acquisition - Operations role offers the opportunity to shape recruitment strategies that directly impact our operational success across the UK, while benefiting from a supportive environment that encourages continuous improvement and collaboration. With a focus on data-driven decision making and a commitment to exceptional candidate experiences, we provide our employees with the tools and resources needed to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Talent Acquisition - Operations in London
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience and how it aligns with their needs. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your impact and how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in and express your enthusiasm for working with them. Sometimes, they might have opportunities that aren’t advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and adapting! Stay updated on the latest trends in talent acquisition and operational recruitment. This will not only help you in interviews but also show employers that you’re committed to continuous improvement and innovation in your field.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Talent Acquisition - Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Talent Acquisition role. Highlight your experience in leading recruitment strategies and managing teams, especially in operational environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about talent acquisition and how you can drive innovation in our recruitment processes. Be sure to mention any specific achievements that demonstrate your impact.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since we’re all about data-driven decisions, make sure to highlight your experience with recruitment analytics. Share examples of how you've used data to improve hiring processes or solve challenges in previous roles. We love numbers!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s operational recruitment strategy. Familiarise yourself with their current challenges and successes in talent acquisition, especially in high-volume environments like transport or logistics. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Talent Acquisition, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and develop teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached and guided your team in previous roles, focusing on specific outcomes and improvements in recruitment processes.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you've used data analytics to inform your recruitment strategies. Bring examples of metrics you've tracked, insights you've gained, and how those have led to improved hiring outcomes. This shows you're not just experienced but also innovative and forward-thinking.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your experience in building strong relationships with stakeholders. Prepare to share stories about how you've influenced senior leaders and collaborated with HR teams to address hiring challenges. This will demonstrate your ability to engage effectively across various levels of the organisation.
