At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage recruitment, talent development, and enhance employee experience in a vibrant hospitality setting.
- Company: Join Caravan Restaurants & Coffee Roasters, a B Corp Certified company with a passion for people.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, leadership development, meals on shift, and discounts at our locations.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and support for mental wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by developing talent and creating opportunities in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Experience in recruitment or HR, strong organisational skills, and a passion for people.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
At Caravan, we believe great hospitality starts with great people. Since opening our first restaurant in Exmouth Market in 2010, we've grown into a collection of restaurants across London and Manchester, alongside our specialty coffee roastery. We’re proudly B Corp Certified, and our four values, All Welcome, Well-Travelled, No Boundaries and Caravan of Love, are at the heart of everything we do. They shape how we welcome our guests, support each other and create opportunities for our people to thrive.
As we continue to grow, we’re looking for a passionate and experienced People & Talent Manager to join our People & Culture team and help us bring our people priorities to life.
The opportunity
This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who loves hospitality, is passionate about developing people and enjoys making things happen. Working closely with our People & Culture Director and Operations teams, you’ll take ownership of managing our external recruitment and delivering our talent management and people development processes across Caravan. A key part of our people strategy is our 80/20 approach to talent, with the ambition of filling 80% of opportunities through internal progression and 20% through external recruitment. You’ll play a central role in making this happen, ensuring we have strong talent pipelines, effective recruitment processes, meaningful development opportunities and clear succession plans. This is a hands‑on role where organisation, ownership, relationships and follow‑through really matter.
What you'll be doing
- Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
- Manage external recruitment activity across Caravan, ensuring a consistent, engaging and efficient candidate experience.
- Partner with General Managers, Heads of Department and Operations to understand recruitment needs and priorities.
- Manage recruitment campaigns, advertising, candidate pipelines and selection processes.
- Support hiring managers with interviews, assessments and hiring decisions.
- Monitor recruitment performance and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and candidate experience.
- Talent Planning & Succession
- Manage the delivery of our 80/20 talent approach, supporting internal progression and maintaining strong external talent pipelines.
- Coordinate talent reviews and succession planning across our restaurants, roastery and support teams.
- Maintain accurate talent plans, identify gaps and ensure development actions are followed through.
- Work closely with operational leaders to identify emerging talent and future leadership needs.
- Track internal promotions and talent pipeline effectiveness, reporting on progress against agreed priorities.
- Performance & Development
- Coordinate and deliver our performance management cycles, including reviews, development plans and performance improvement processes.
- Support managers to have meaningful performance and development conversations.
- Monitor completion, quality and follow‑through of performance reviews.
- Help identify development needs and ensure agreed actions are implemented.
- Support career pathways and internal mobility opportunities across the business.
- Onboarding & Employee Experience
- Own the onboarding process for new managers and support team starters.
- Support site leaders to deliver a consistent, engaging and effective onboarding experience for their teams.
- Monitor onboarding completion and standards, identifying areas for improvement.
- Work with the wider People team to continuously improve the employee experience.
- People Processes & Reporting
- Maintain accurate recruitment, talent and performance information across our people systems.
- Coordinate people activities and key milestones across our annual People calendar.
- Use data and insights to monitor progress, identify trends and support continuous improvement.
- Ensure agreed people initiatives are delivered consistently and on time across the business.
- Champion our values and inclusive people practices in everything you do.
About you
We’re looking for someone who combines a genuine passion for people with strong organisational skills, a proactive mindset and the confidence to take ownership. You’ll bring:
- Experience in recruitment, talent management or a People/HR generalist role, ideally within hospitality or a fast‑paced, multi‑site environment.
- Hands‑on experience managing recruitment processes and working with hiring managers.
- A good understanding of talent development, succession planning and performance management.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities without losing attention to detail.
- Confidence building relationships with operational leaders and supporting them to deliver great people practices.
- A practical, solutions‑focused approach and the ability to work independently.
- Confidence using HR systems and people data to track progress and improve processes.
- A genuine interest in developing people and creating opportunities for career progression.
- CIPD qualification or working towards a qualification, at any level, desirable but not essential.
Most importantly, you’ll be someone who takes ownership, follows through and enjoys making things happen.
What we offer
- Competitive salary
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing hospitality business
- Leadership development and career progression opportunities
- Meals and drinks on shift across our locations
- Dining discount for family and friends
- Coffee discounts at Caravan Coffee Roasters
- Financial wellbeing, mental health support and professional mentoring
If you love people, enjoy bringing plans to life and want to help create great opportunities for others, we’d love to hear from you.
People & Talent Manager employer: Caravan
At Caravan, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values community, diversity, and sustainability. Our vibrant work culture fosters personal growth, with 80% of management roles filled internally, alongside benefits like free meals, mental health support, and leadership training. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions are celebrated, and be part of our exciting journey as we expand our award-winning restaurants.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People & Talent Manager
✨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 Caravan!
✨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 Caravan.
We think you need these skills to ace People & Talent Manager
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 Caravan. 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 Caravan 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 Caravan. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Caravan'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 Caravan
✨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 Caravan.
✨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 Caravan 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 Caravan and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
