Recruitment Specialist in Portsmouth

Reporting to the Head of Human Resources for Charles Taylor Assistance & UK Claims (part of the Charles Taylor Group), the Recruitment Specialist is a vital member of both the Human Resources and Charles Taylor Assistance operations teams. The primary objective of this role is to maximise the direct talent pipeline by sourcing and interviewing skilled, high‑calibre candidates, often at short notice, for our distinctive Immersive Experience sessions‑selection events designed to assess real skills and acumen. The role holder will employ diverse attraction and sourcing methods to identify direct candidates. Additionally, they will proactively manage recruitment agency pipelines and relationships to meet projected headcount requirements. Most roles are customer‑facing within a fast‑paced, telephony‑based environment.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the potential for conversion to permanent employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end‑to‑end recruitment lifecycle, from hiring requisition through sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding.
• Develop, lead, challenge, and review sourcing strategies to ensure ongoing effectiveness.
• Collaborate resourcefully with key stakeholders and recruitment agency partners, ensuring recruitment activity aligns with forecasted and budgeted headcount, and maintain accurate budget trackers.
• Work proactively and collaboratively across teams, connecting recruitment with core HR, HR Operations, Operational Management, and the Training team.
• Ensure all recruitment activities, internal and external, reflect Charles Taylor's values.
• Guarantee each recruitment drive benefits from clear, quality job descriptions and engaging, values‑led advertising.
• Build and sustain strong talent pipelines and candidate networks.
• Advise hiring managers on employment law related to advertising, interviewing practices, disability accommodations, reasonable adjustments, and contractual obligations.
• Provide expert guidance on interview techniques and assessment methods.
• Offer regular insights into local candidate market trends to inform business decisions.
• Analyse probation performance and leaver trends to refine attraction and selection processes in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Maintain and submit regular Talent Acquisition metrics and reports according to the established schedule.
• Support Claims recruitment and coordination activities as required, including occasional attendance at the Christchurch office.
• Undertake ad hoc duties as directed by management, commensurate with skills, experience, and role scope.
• Champion Charles Taylor's values‑Agility, Integrity, Care, Accountability, and Collaboration‑ensuring these principles are embedded throughout the recruitment lifecycle and all candidate and stakeholder interactions.

Essential Demonstrable Skills

• 3-5 years' experience as an agency or in‑house recruiter managing fast‑paced, volume recruitment, ideally within contact centres or emergency services. Experience in the insurance or insurance services sector is advantageous but not essential.
• High credibility and professional gravitas.
• Proven ability to influence and manage stakeholders, colleagues, candidates, and third‑party relationships through effective verbal, face‑to‑face, and written communication.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, capable of establishing and maintaining rapport, trust, and collaboration.
• Exceptional multi‑tasking abilities and commitment to completing tasks.
• Highly adaptable with the ability to pivot or increase pace effortlessly.
• A strong on‑site presence at our Cosham office is required (minimum two days per week) and attendance on specific planned dates to support Immersive Experience events and onboarding days.
• Highly organised with meticulous attention to accurate written and numerical record‑keeping.
• Demonstrates energy, determination, and resilience.
• Flexible and committed to meeting deadlines regardless of challenges.
• Creative thinker, willing to suggest innovative ideas and explore new solutions to existing challenges.
• Maintains composure and clarity under pressure, managing tight deadlines and competing stakeholder demands effectively.
• Basic knowledge of relevant employment law to safeguard the Company throughout the hiring process, particularly concerning Protected Characteristics and legal aspects of employment offers.
• Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications, and comfortable learning new software.

About Charles Taylor Assistance's Three Core Departments

Charles Taylor Assistance is the preferred partner for some of the UK's most renowned travel insurance brands and a leading global provider of medical assistance, travel risk, and claims management services. We support over five million customers annually and process more than 170,000 travel claims.

Our core customer areas are: Medical Risk Assessment, Medical Assistance, and Travel Claims.

Medical Risk Assessment

Based in Christchurch, Dorset, our Medical Risk Assessment team uses prepared scripts to guide customers through risk assessment questionnaires, determining acceptance or decline of health cover based on their insurance policies.

Medical Assistance

Our Medical Assistance teams, based in Cosham and Majorca, handle medical claims when customers face adverse health incidents abroad, requiring insurance policy support. Cases range from minor health issues to complex situations, including repatriations and air ambulances. Front‑line case managers collaborate with in‑house doctors, nurses, and clinicians to deliver patient‑focused care.

Travel Claims

Our Travel Claims teams operate from Cosham, Christchurch, and Majorca. Customer Service Advisors handle calls from customers making travel insurance claims, applying strict policy rules to assess coverage. Many Advisors have delegated authority to approve payments within policy limits, facilitating quicker resolutions and improved customer experiences.

About Charles Taylor Group

Founded in 1884 by coal merchant Charles Taylor, the Group has grown into a global leader in insurance services and technology solutions, employing around 4,000 experts across 120+ countries on six continents. Our extensive specialist expertise—from loss adjusters to forensic accountants—enables the global insurance market to navigate its challenges. Through trusted partnerships, we build long‑term, personal client relationships based on trust and cooperation. Our advanced technology enhances client service from start to finish. With a global footprint, clients can access our services wherever and whenever needed.

We support every stage of the insurance lifecycle across all major commercial insurance lines, serving a blue‑chip international client base including insurers, mutuals, captives, MGAs, Lloyd's syndicates, reinsurers, brokers, distributors and corporate insureds. Our Group Business Services (GBS) function enhances organisational efficiency by providing finance operations, HR services, IT infrastructure, legal and compliance support, and workplace management. This enables the business to operate with agility, maintain compliance, and focus on delivering client value.

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Join Charles Taylor?

Charles Taylor prides itself on being a people‑centric business. Our culture and values define who we are, what we stand for, and how we behave. They guide our interactions with colleagues and clients alike, today and in the future. By living our values daily, we deliver better outcomes for the insurance industry.

We are committed to providing a positive working environment that offers opportunities for professional development and career progression across all business areas. This includes a structured onboarding process, tailored skills development, online and in‑person training, and study support for professional qualifications.

Our Values

• Accountability (We take ownership and responsibility) Everyone contributes to Charles Taylor's growth and success.
• Agility (We learn, evolve and adapt quickly) We anticipate, prepare for, and embrace change to remain competitive.
• Care (We are compassionate and human) We are approachable and genuinely interested in others.
• Collaboration (We are one) We are unique individuals united in our work.
• Integrity (We do the right thing) We act responsibly and respectfully at all times.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Charles Taylor is proud to be an inclusive employer. We foster a culture of mutual respect with zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or family status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We recognise that diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital to delivering superior insurance outcomes and fulfilling our responsibilities to clients, colleagues, and communities. We actively promote and celebrate differences, striving to create an environment where all individuals feel included and empowered to reach their full potential. Our inclusive and diverse culture is supported by strong partnerships and a transparent, fair recruitment process.