At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape talent strategy across Europe for a major transport organisation.
- Company: Join Arriva, a leading European passenger transport partner with a strong sustainability agenda.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to influence at the highest levels.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with diverse teams and contribute to a sustainable future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on leadership development and talent management in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in talent management and leadership development in complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Are you a strategic talent leader ready to shape the future capability of a complex, international organisation? This is a rare opportunity to define and deliver a group-wide talent agenda at a pivotal moment for Arriva - building leadership strength, accelerating high-potential talent, and ensuring we have the skills and capability needed to deliver our long-term strategy.
Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating in 11 countries across the UK and Europe. With around 35,000 colleagues delivering more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys each year, we connect people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably. With strong roots dating back to 1938 and an ambitious growth and sustainability agenda, Arriva is focused on building a strong and sustainable future.
We are looking for a Group Head of Talent to join our Group Talent & Reward team on a full-time permanent basis. This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead Arriva Group’s talent strategy across Europe, ensuring we build the leadership capability, succession strength and talent pipelines needed to support our long-term growth.
The role will be responsible for defining and delivering a cohesive, forward-looking talent agenda across the organisation, including senior leadership development, succession planning, high-potential acceleration programmes and early careers. You will also lead the ongoing development and embedding of the Arriva Leadership Mindset, ensuring it is consistently applied across the employee lifecycle.
Working closely with the Executive Team, HR Directors and senior leaders across the business, the role holder will ensure talent initiatives are aligned to organisational priorities, impactful in delivery and supported by data and insight. This role offers a significant opportunity to influence at the highest levels and play a critical part in shaping the future capability and leadership of Arriva Group.
This role will be on a hybrid working basis, a minimum of 3 days per week in either our London (Lacon) or Sunderland (Doxford Park) office, with the remainder focused on where you can best deliver for your colleagues while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Key Responsibilities- Leadership Development & Talent Strategy
- Shape and deliver Arriva’s leadership development strategy, ensuring it builds the capabilities required for future growth.
- Partner with senior leaders to identify capability gaps and design targeted development interventions.
- Introduce modern, evidence-based approaches to leadership development.
- Succession Planning & Talent Pipeline
- Lead the succession planning approach for critical roles across Europe.
- Build a transparent and data-led process for identifying and developing high-potential talent.
- Provide insight and recommendations to support workforce planning and mitigate succession risk.
- High-Potential & Acceleration Programmes
- Design and deliver programmes that accelerate high-potential colleagues into leadership roles.
- Ensure programmes are inclusive, impactful and aligned to business strategy.
- Track progression and outcomes to ensure long-term value.
- Competency Framework (Leadership Mindset)
- Lead the ongoing development and embedding of the Arriva Leadership Mindset.
- Ensure consistent application across recruitment, performance and development practices.
- Partner with HR and business leaders to align capabilities with future organisational needs.
- Early Careers Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight of early careers programmes, including graduates and apprenticeships.
- Ensure pathways align to long-term talent and capability requirements.
- Support the development of a diverse and sustainable pipeline of future talent.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Insight
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on talent, leadership and organisational capability.
- Collaborate with HR teams to embed talent initiatives across all markets.
- Use data and insight to measure impact and inform decision-making.
What we’d like from you
We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about developing talent and shaping organisational capability at scale. You will be someone who enjoys working strategically, influencing at senior levels and creating impactful talent solutions that support long-term business success.
Candidates will preferably:
- Have significant experience in talent management, leadership development or organisational development within a complex, multi-market environment.
- Have a strong track record of designing and delivering leadership and succession strategies.
- Possess excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility at Executive level.
- Be experienced in using data and insight to drive decision-making and measure impact.
- Have experience leading or overseeing early careers or talent pipeline programmes.
- Demonstrate strong strategic thinking alongside the ability to translate strategy into practical delivery.
It would also be beneficial if candidates:
- Have experience working across multiple European markets or international organisations.
- Have knowledge of competency frameworks and leadership mindset models.
- Have a strong understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion principles within talent strategies.
Finally, we’re looking for candidates who align with Arriva’s values and are passionate about developing people, strengthening leadership capability and building a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 10 June 2026. Arriva Group reserves the right to close this vacancy early.
Group Head of Talent employer: Arriva Limited
Arriva is an exceptional employer that prioritises the development of its talent and leadership capabilities across Europe. With a strong commitment to sustainability and a collaborative work culture, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, extensive growth opportunities, and the chance to influence strategic initiatives at the highest levels. Joining Arriva means being part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to connecting communities while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for all colleagues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head of Talent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Arriva on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Arriva's leadership mindset and talent strategies. Show us that you understand their goals and how you can contribute to shaping their future talent agenda.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully developed talent or led strategic initiatives in the past. We love hearing about real impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Arriva team.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Talent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in talent management and leadership development. We want to see how your skills align with our vision for shaping the future capability of Arriva.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically about talent solutions. Share examples of how you've influenced senior leaders and implemented impactful talent strategies in previous roles.
Use Data to Your Advantage:We love data-driven insights! Include any metrics or outcomes from your past initiatives that showcase your ability to use data to inform decision-making and measure impact on talent development.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our talent strategy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Limited
✨Know Your Talent Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Arriva's current talent strategy and leadership development initiatives. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in shaping leadership capabilities and succession planning.
✨Showcase Data-Driven Insights
Arriva values data-led decision-making, so come armed with examples of how you've used data to inform talent strategies in the past. Highlight specific metrics or outcomes that demonstrate your impact on leadership development and talent pipelines.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can engage with senior leaders and stakeholders effectively. Prepare to share your approach to building credibility and influencing at the executive level, as this role requires strong stakeholder management skills.
✨Emphasise Diversity and Inclusion
Given the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in talent strategies, be ready to discuss how you've integrated these principles into your previous roles. Share specific examples of programmes you've designed that promote inclusivity and support diverse talent.
