At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct research to attract top executive talent and support senior leadership hiring.
- Company: Join AWE, a leading organisation dedicated to national safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, competitive salary, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of leadership at AWE.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in executive research preferred.
The predicted salary is between 37300 - 47000 £ per year.
AWE is looking for a Researcher to join the Senior and Executive Hires team.
Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.
Package: Starting from £37,300 - £47,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis.
The Executive Hiring Researcher plays a critical role in enabling high quality senior leadership hiring across AWE. The role combines deep market insight, rigorous research capability, and strong stakeholder partnership to ensure AWE can identify, attract, and engage exceptional executive level talent. This position supports the Executive Hiring Manager in shaping and executing search and attraction strategies for the organisation’s most business-critical roles.
In the role you will be required to:
- Deliver high quality executive search research, talent mapping and market intelligence to support the successful attraction and hiring of senior leaders and critical talent across AWE.
- Build and maintain robust external talent pipelines, ensuring AWE has access to high calibre candidates for current vacancies and future leadership requirements.
- Provide insight into talent markets, competitor activity and leadership movements, enabling hiring managers and the Executive Hiring Manager to make informed recruitment decisions.
- Identify, assess and engage prospective executive-level candidates, presenting evidence-based recommendations on suitability, capability and market positioning.
- Produce accurate, insightful and commercially relevant research outputs, including talent maps, candidate reports, market analysis and search progress updates.
- Maintain a strong understanding of industry sectors, organisational structures and executive talent pools to ensure the quality and relevance of search activity.
Responsibilities in the role include:
- Strategic Research and Market Intelligence
- Deliver high‐quality longlists, talent maps, and market intelligence to support senior leadership hiring, with a particular focus on executive‐level talent.
- Translate business senior hiring priorities into structured, insight‐driven research plans in partnership with the Executive Hiring Manager.
- Provide ongoing intelligence on external senior talent dynamics, competitor activity, leadership movements, and broader market trends to inform search strategy and organisational workforce planning.
- Maintain a deep understanding of relevant industries, leadership archetypes, and evolving executive talent pools.
- Talent Identification and Engagement
- Identify, assess, and discreetly engage senior‐level candidates, offering informed perspectives on candidate suitability, interest levels, availability, and market positioning.
- Build, nurture, and maintain high‐quality talent pipelines for current and future leadership needs.
- Conduct initial candidate screening and assessment to evaluate experience, leadership capability, and cultural alignment.
- Search Execution and Stakeholder Partnership
- Work closely with the Executive Hiring Manager and senior stakeholders to refine role requirements, calibrate candidate profiles, and shape search strategies.
- Prepare high‐quality reports, briefing notes, and talent intelligence summaries to support decision‐making.
- Track search progress, maintain accurate and compliant records, and ensure a disciplined approach to research documentation and data integrity.
- Continuous Market Monitoring
- Proactively monitor industry developments, leadership transitions, and competitor movements to keep AWE informed of shifts in the external senior and leadership talent landscape.
- Act as a trusted adviser on executive talent markets, providing insight‐led recommendations and perspectives.
Whilst not to be considered a checklist, candidates should be able to demonstrate some of the following:
- Outstanding communication skills with proven ability to operate at all levels.
- A strong lateral thinker with a solution/challenger mindset.
- Problem solving skills.
- Previous experience in executive research.
- Experience of working in a corporate environment.
- Stakeholder management.
Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:
- 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
Next steps:
Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.
Important things you need to know:
- We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
- You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.
- The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process. Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.
Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.
Researcher – Senior and Executive Hiring in Reading employer: Atomic Weapons Establishment
As a Quality Inspector Apprentice, you will join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises employee development and offers a supportive work culture. With a competitive starting salary and generous benefits, including a market-leading pension scheme and extensive holiday entitlement, you will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders while contributing to vital national security initiatives in the Aldermaston/Reading area. This apprenticeship not only provides hands-on experience but also fosters personal growth through academic studies and practical application of engineering principles.
Contact Details:
Atomic Weapons Establishment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Researcher – Senior and Executive Hiring in Reading
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Atomic Weapons Establishment!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Atomic Weapons Establishment.
We think you need these skills to ace Researcher – Senior and Executive Hiring in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Atomic Weapons Establishment. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Atomic Weapons Establishment and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Atomic Weapons Establishment. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Atomic Weapons Establishment's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Atomic Weapons Establishment
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Atomic Weapons Establishment.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Atomic Weapons Establishment will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Atomic Weapons Establishment and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
