Talent Acquisition Team Leader

The Talent Acquisition Lead supervises the day-to-day delivery of a professional, inclusive and data-informed recruitment service across academic and professional services. The role provides specialist advice on recruitment, attraction and selection, works with the Head of Recruitment and stakeholders to support recruitment planning and attraction activity, and ensures a high-quality experience for candidates and Hiring Managers.

The postholder leads the Talent Acquisition team, supports the effective use of recruitment systems and data, and contributes to the continuous improvement of recruitment processes and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of the end-to-end Talent Acquisition service across academic and professional services recruitment across multiple sites, ensuring vacancies are progressed efficiently, consistently and in line with organisational requirements.
• Provide specialist recruitment advice, guidance and coaching to Hiring Managers and senior stakeholders on attraction, shortlisting, structured interviewing, selection and appointment, promoting fair, evidence based and inclusive decision making.
• Work with the Head of Recruitment to develop recruitment plans and attraction approaches, using recruitment data, staffing requirements and market insight to identify recruitment priorities, risks and future hiring needs.
• Contribute to the development of talent pools, candidate pipelines, and identify targeted sourcing strategies to support recruitment activity.
• Line manage and develop the Talent Acquisition team, including workload allocation, performance oversight, one to one support, capability development, training and continuous professional development.
• Work with the Head of Recruitment to develop and optimise the use of the Applicant Tracking System (Pinpoint) and associated recruitment processes, workflows, templates, automation and reporting.
• Monitor and analyse key recruitment performance measures, time to fill, time to hire, and candidate and Hiring Manager experience.
• Identify areas of potential process improvements and champion their implementation.
• Support the Head of Recruitment with the development and promotion of the organisation's employer brand and Employee Value Proposition through recruitment marketing, careers content, social and professional channels.
• Ensure recruitment activity is delivered in accordance with equality, diversity and inclusion principles, data protection requirements, Right to Work and relevant employment and immigration requirements.
• Lead recruitment-related training and events and maintain awareness of labour market trends, recruitment technology and sector best practice.

Person SpecificationQualifications and Experience

• Essential: Recent experience of managing end to end recruitment campaigns within an in house or agency recruitment environment.
• Demonstrable experience of using market knowledge and recruitment data to inform resourcing decisions and recommendations.
• Experience of using an Applicant Tracking System or equivalent recruitment databases/systems, including reporting and process improvement.
• Desirable: Experience of recruitment within Higher Education, education or another complex multi site organisation.
• Experience of employer branding, talent pipeline development or recruitment marketing initiatives.
• Experience using Pinpoint ATS.
• Line management experience.

Skills and Knowledge

• Essential: Strong knowledge of Talent Acquisition best practice, attraction strategies, structured selection and inclusive recruitment principles.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify trends, risks and opportunities and present clear recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, coaching and communication skills.
• Strong IT skills, including strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Sound understanding of recruitment compliance, data protection, equality and diversity requirements and Right to Work responsibilities relevant to recruitment.
• Desirable: Knowledge of UK immigration and sponsorship requirements relevant to recruitment.
• Knowledge of Higher Education recruitment markets and academic workforce challenges.
• Awareness of emerging recruitment technologies.

Personal Qualities

• Essential: Demonstrates initiative, accountability, discretion and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong prioritisation skills, with the ability to balance immediate recruitment delivery with longer term workforce needs.
• Credible, collaborative and confident in influencing stakeholders.
• Highly organised, adaptable and resilient.
• Committed to delivering an inclusive, professional and positive experience for candidates, Hiring Managers and colleagues.

Special Conditions

• Some travel to other organisational sites may be required.
• Flexibility may also be required during peak recruitment and student intake periods.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave package with 25 days plus bank holidays/ closure days.
• Flexible hybrid working options, including the ability to work from home.
• Access to the TELUS Health Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free annual eye test for VDU users.
• Access to Hapi Benefits, providing exclusive retail discounts.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Enhanced company sick policy.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.