Head of Talent

Head of Talent

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead talent strategy, improve hiring processes, and develop people-focused systems.
  • Company: AVK is a rapidly growing company focused on sustainable infrastructure and energy resilience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, career growth opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping the future of talent at AVK.
  • Qualifications: Experience in talent acquisition, strong systems mindset, and a passion for developing people.
  • Other info: Work partly from our Maidenhead HQ and travel across the UK and Europe.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Join Us in Building the Talent Foundations for AVK\’s Next Stage of Growth
Two years ago, AVK was a £66M business. Today, we\’ve grown five-fold to £325M+ in revenue, with over 300 people shaping our journey across the UK and Europe. That journey is far from over. As we continue to expand across new sectors and regions, the right talent will be central to how we scale.
This is where you come in. We\’re hiring a Head of Talent to help us identify, attract and develop the people who will realise our next stage of growth.
Our projects are bold: powering data centres, delivering energy resilience and building sustainable infrastructure. Our people make it possible.
As we continue to scale, we\’re investing in the systems that help us grow responsibly, inclusively and with long-term impact. That starts with talent.
We\’re looking for someone to lead and evolve our talent strategy, connecting people to purpose and building the infrastructure that helps every hire succeed.
Your Mission

  • To build a talent system that grows with the business
  • To connect people planning with business priorities before the gaps appear
  • To improve the experience for every candidate and every hiring manager
  • To help us attract, retain and develop the talent that will shape AVK\’s next chapter

What You\’ll Own
This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role where you\’ll shape not just how we hire, but how we grow.
You will:

  • Design and lead the full talent lifecycle from attraction and acquisition to onboarding, internal mobility and early careers
  • Build systems that scale: ATS workflows, talent processes, hiring toolkits and clear, insight-led reporting
  • Partner with leaders, coaching hiring managers on role clarity, team structure, succession and sound decision-making
  • Lead early careers, designing structured programmes for graduates, apprentices and interns in collaboration with our AVK Academy
  • Support organisational planning, partnering with the People team to align headcount growth with strategic business goals
  • Shape our employer brand and EVP, ensuring we show up clearly and consistently with a focus on inclusive attraction
  • Embed a coaching mindset, working with L&D to structure executive coaching and leadership development

You\’ll be supported by, and work closely with, People Ops, L&D, People Partners and Culture & Comms.
You\’ll also work closely with a talented colleague already in post, who is eager to grow and develop. Supporting their journey will be an important part of your leadership impact.
Why This Role Matters
AVK is growing quickly. Our projects are expanding into new sectors, markets and regions. We have:

  • Over 50 open roles across five countries
  • A growing Academy focused on capability and career development
  • The ambition to create a hiring experience that reflects our values and standards

We\’re looking for someone to build the system that supports long-term, people-first growth.
Who This Role Is For
You\’re a builder and strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-moving environment. You understand how great systems support great people.
You\’ve likely led or scaled a talent function in a growing business and you\’re ready for a broader canvas.
You bring:

  • Experience across the end-to-end hiring journey, from employer brand to onboarding
  • A systems mindset, always looking to improve processes, data and consistency
  • Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing decisions
  • A passion for developing people, whether candidates, internal talent or those around you
  • Commitment to inclusion, fairness and quality at every stage of the hiring process

Just as importantly, you show up well. You build trust quickly, lead with empathy and accountability and work with openness and clarity. You bring others with you.
What You\’ll Build And Who You\’ll Become
This role offers real ownership, visibility and the chance to make a lasting impact.
You\’ll gain:

  • Exposure at senior level, working with the CPO and wider SLT
  • Freedom to build, with the scope to test, design and implement systems that stick
  • Career growth, with the opportunity to evolve as the business grows
  • A strong platform to develop your leadership, influence and impact across countries and functions

You won\’t be inheriting legacy systems. You\’ll help shape how AVK grows through people.
How You\’ll Work

  • One day per week at our Maidenhead HQ
  • Two to three days per week travelling to sites across the UK and Europe (including overnights)
  • Full-time | 37.5 hours per week

Ready to Apply?
If you\’re looking for a role that blends strategy with systems, growth with purpose and people with performance, we\’d love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Head of Talent employer: AVK-SEG

AVK is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its people, offering a dynamic work culture where innovation meets purpose. As we expand rapidly across the UK and Europe, employees benefit from a strong focus on career advancement, inclusive practices, and the opportunity to shape impactful talent strategies. With a commitment to building a supportive environment, AVK empowers its team members to thrive while contributing to meaningful projects in sustainable infrastructure and energy resilience.
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Contact Detail:

AVK-SEG Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Talent

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with AVK's current projects and values. Understanding their mission to build sustainable infrastructure will help you align your experience and ideas with their goals during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the talent acquisition field, especially those who have experience in fast-growing companies. This can provide insights into effective strategies that you can bring to AVK.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully built or improved talent systems in previous roles. Highlighting your hands-on experience will demonstrate your capability to lead AVK's talent strategy.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your understanding of inclusive hiring practices. Given AVK's commitment to diversity, being able to articulate how you can enhance their employer brand with a focus on inclusion will set you apart.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Talent

Strategic Thinking
Talent Acquisition
Employer Branding
Onboarding Processes
Internal Mobility Strategies
Data-Driven Decision Making
Stakeholder Management
Coaching and Mentoring
Process Improvement
Leadership Development
Organisational Planning
Inclusive Recruitment Practices
Communication Skills
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in talent acquisition and management. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to build and scale talent systems, as well as your strategic thinking.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for developing talent and how your vision aligns with AVK's mission. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your impact on talent strategy and organisational growth.

Showcase Your Leadership Style: Highlight your leadership approach in both your CV and cover letter. Discuss how you build trust, lead with empathy, and foster inclusion within teams, as these qualities are essential for the Head of Talent role.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with talent lifecycle management and your strategies for improving candidate experiences. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders in previous roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at AVK-SEG

✨Understand the Company’s Growth Journey

Familiarise yourself with AVK's impressive growth from £66M to over £325M. Be prepared to discuss how your experience can contribute to their ongoing expansion and how you can help build a talent strategy that aligns with this growth.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare examples of how you've previously designed and implemented talent systems. Highlight your ability to connect people planning with business priorities, ensuring you can articulate how you will shape AVK's talent lifecycle.

✨Emphasise Your People Development Skills

Discuss your passion for developing talent at all levels. Be ready to share specific instances where you've successfully coached hiring managers or developed structured programmes for early careers, showcasing your commitment to inclusion and quality.

✨Demonstrate Your Systems Mindset

Illustrate your experience with ATS workflows and hiring processes. Prepare to talk about how you’ve improved data consistency and reporting in previous roles, as this will be crucial for building scalable systems at AVK.

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