Recruitment & Compliance Coordinator in Milton Keynes

We are looking for a proactive, organised and detail-oriented Recruitment & Compliance Coordinator to support the delivery of a high-quality recruitment service across Ashbourne Day Nurseries.

This role involves more than processing applications and coordinating compliance. You'll take ownership of your allocated vacancies, build relationships with hiring managers, identify suitable candidates and support a positive, efficient recruitment journey. You will need to drive recruitment, work at pace and continuously finding ways to move recruitment forward as quickly as possible.

Working closely with the Talent Acquisition Manager, you'll contribute to a proactive, consistent and candidate-focused approach to recruitment while maintaining high standards of safer recruitment and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Vacancy Management & Candidate Attraction

• Manage allocated vacancies from initial briefing through to offer and compliance coordination.
• Liaise with nursery managers to understand vacancy requirements, team needs and key selling points.
• Create accurate, engaging and nursery-specific job advertisements.
• Review incoming applications and proactively identify candidates through Indeed, LinkedIn and other approved platforms.
• Maintain regular communication with hiring managers regarding vacancy progress.

Candidate Screening & Engagement

• Conduct structured, high-level candidate screening calls, exploring experience, qualifications, motivation and suitability.
• Explore employment gaps, career moves and reasons for leaving, escalating any concerns appropriately.
• Prepare clear candidate summaries and shortlists for hiring managers.
• Coordinate interviews, obtain feedback and communicate outcomes promptly.
• Maintain regular candidate contact throughout the recruitment process to support engagement and minimise candidate drop-off.
• Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling candidate screening calls, including occasional early morning or evening conversations outside standard working hours, where reasonably required to accommodate candidates' availability. Any adjustments to working hours will be agreed in advance.

The role does not require specialist assessment of EYFS knowledge, operational competencies or detailed safeguarding scenarios. These are explored by the appropriate interview panel.

Compliance & Administration

• Coordinate pre-employment checks in line with Ashbourne's safer recruitment procedures.
• Maintain accurate candidate records, screening notes and recruitment updates using Monday.com / ATS.
• Monitor outstanding documentation, recruitment stages and compliance requirements.
• Ensure potential safeguarding concerns, inconsistencies or delays are appropriately escalated.
• Support offer coordination and onboarding communication.
• Work collaboratively with the Talent Acquisition Manager, nursery managers and operational teams.
• Follow agreed recruitment processes and maintain consistent standards.
• Develop proactive sourcing, screening and candidate engagement skills through training and support.
• Identify opportunities to improve candidate experience, communication and recruitment efficiency.

Skills & Experience:

• Experience in a fast paced recruitment role, eg. Recruitment agency or in-house recruiter.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence speaking with candidates and hiring managers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow tasks through to completion.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a willingness to take ownership.
• Good IT skills and accurate record-keeping.
• Professionalism, discretion and an understanding of confidentiality.
• Willingness to learn and develop recruitment skills.
• Flexibility to occasionally accommodate candidate conversations outside standard working hours, with prior agreement.
• Experience within Early Years, childcare or another regulated sector.
• Familiarity with Indeed, LinkedIn or recruitment systems.
• Understanding of safer recruitment and pre-employment compliance.

We expect our Recruitment & Compliance Coordinators to:

• Take ownership of allocated vacancies and candidate progression.
• Be proactive, rather than relying solely on incoming applications.
• Focus on quality, ensuring candidates are appropriately screened before submission.
• Communicate consistently with candidates and hiring managers.
• Be detail-oriented, maintaining accurate records and identifying potential concerns.
• Demonstrate accountability, following up outstanding actions without constant prompting.
• Show flexibility, recognising that prospective candidates may be working during standard business hours and occasionally adapting availability to ensure suitable candidates are not missed.
• Embrace development, building confidence and capability as the recruitment function evolves.

The role is responsible for candidate attraction, high-level screening, recruitment coordination and compliance administration.

Detailed competency assessments, specialist safeguarding interviews and final hiring decisions remain the responsibility of nursery and operational leaders.

Recruitment strategy, complex senior-level sourcing, team development and overall recruitment standards remain the responsibility of the Talent Acquisition Manager.

Safeguarding Commitment

Ashbourne Day Nurseries is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All employees must follow our safer recruitment procedures, safeguarding policies and professional standards. Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.