At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic hiring and recruitment for key roles in a sustainable industry.
- Company: Join Dalcour Maclaren, a leader in Utilities and Infrastructure driving towards Net Zero.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health perks, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with a strong focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the transition to a sustainable future while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Talent Acquisition with expertise in senior and technical roles.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 70089 £ per year.
At Dalcour Maclaren, we're key players in the Utilities and Infrastructure industry, bringing the UK and Ireland closer to Net Zero every day. Our land, environmental and geospatial experts work together to unlock the consents needed by our clients to deliver key projects. Our services include land access and assembly, agricultural liaison, planning, environmental impact assessments and geospatial mapping. Join us, and play your part in helping us to achieve our vision; to be the professional services team of choice, leading the Utilities and Infrastructure industry to a sustainable future.
As a senior member of the Talent function, you will lead complex and strategic hiring across key business areas, with a focus on industry‑specific and technical roles. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, you will influence workforce planning, shape hiring strategy, and deliver high‑impact recruitment outcomes. In addition to hands‑on delivery, you will support the Head of Talent in driving strategic initiatives, optimising recruitment performance, and continuously enhancing the Dalcour Maclaren employer brand and talent proposition.
Key Activities:
- Lead end‑to‑end recruitment for critical, senior and technically complex roles, ensuring delivery against business growth plans.
- Act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, providing expert advice on hiring strategy, market insights, and talent availability.
- Take ownership of hiring plans within your business areas, proactively identifying risks, skills gaps, and pipeline challenges early.
- Develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies for niche and specialist talent pools, leveraging deep industry knowledge and networks.
- Leverage existing industry knowledge and established talent network to lead on strategic and high‑impact hires, including leadership roles and business‑critical positions.
- Support the Head of Talent in workforce planning, headcount forecasting, and aligning hiring strategies to business objectives.
- Drive continuous improvement of recruitment processes, identifying efficiencies, innovations, and best‑in‑class practices.
- Use data, market intelligence and competitor analysis to influence decision‑making.
- Mentor and support Talent Partners, sharing expertise in technical hiring, stakeholder management and complex recruitment delivery.
- Champion the employer brand through consistent, high‑quality candidate experience and representation at industry events.
- Support and, where appropriate, lead on Talent/People projects and strategic initiatives across the business.
- Participate in and support internal company groups and initiatives, in addition to presence at relevant external conferences and events, whilst always embracing DM’s values and acting as an ambassador for the company.
- Always maintain confidentiality, and ensure compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements and policies.
Key Skills & Experience:
- Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in Talent Acquisition, with a strong track record of delivering senior, niche or technical hires.
- Proven expertise recruiting within industry‑specific technical disciplines and hard‑to‑fill roles.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders, including Directors and business leaders.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to align hiring strategies to business growth objectives.
- Advanced sourcing capability, with an established network in relevant talent markets.
- Experience contributing to or leading strategic talent initiatives (e.g. workforce planning, employer branding, process transformation).
- Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to coach and challenge constructively.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities independently.
- Proactive, resilient and solutions‑focused, with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Consciously compliant around confidentiality, handling sensitive personal data and adherence to best practice/legislation.
Benefits:
- Annual bonus scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday
- Vitality Health Membership (including Private healthcare, subsidised gym membership and other discounts)
- Flexible working through our ‘Flexible Advantage’ supporting working families & your work/life balance
- Pension Scheme via The Peoples Pension
- Life insurance (4x Base Salary)
- Free on-site parking in non-city centre offices
- Cycle to work scheme
- 26 Weeks paid Maternity Leave
- 4 Weeks paid Paternity Leave
- BHN Extras – provides discounted gift cards for hundreds of popular retailers
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (provided by Octopus Electric Vehicles) effective at 1 years’ service
- Sabbatical Policy effective at 3 years’ service
- Professional development – paid study leave
- Military service paid leave (7.5 days per year)
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) plus wider Mental Health & Wellbeing support
- 2 x Company-wide events every year, in addition to multiple office socials throughout the year
Dalcour Maclaren is an equal opportunities employer.
Talent Lead in Bicester employer: Dalcour Maclaren
At Dalcour Maclaren, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer in the Utilities and Infrastructure sector, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our extensive benefits package, including flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing. Join us in our mission to lead the industry towards a sustainable future while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Talent Lead in Bicester
✨Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community
Get involved with communities specifically aimed at talent acquisition and recruitment. Follow popular forums, like the HR and recruitment threads on LinkedIn Groups or join Talent Acquisition Meetups in your area. Networking with fellow recruiters and industry experts can lead to hidden job opportunities and insider tips!
✨Show Off Your Expertise at Recruitment Events
Attend recruitment fairs and industry conferences where companies, including Dalcour Maclaren, often showcase their hiring needs. Not only can you meet potential employers face-to-face, but you can also demonstrate your passion and knowledge about the field. Make sure you've got some thoughtful questions ready to impress!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still connected to your university, tap into their career services. Many universities have exclusive job boards and connections with companies eager to hire fresh talent in recruitment roles. Plus, you never know who might be able to put in a good word for you at places like Dalcour Maclaren!
✨Tailor Your Digital Footprint
Make sure your online presence reflects your passion for talent acquisition. Share articles, join discussions, and post about trends in recruiting to establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate. Recruiters often check candidates out online, so use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your insights and enthusiasm for discovering the right talent!
We think you need these skills to ace Talent Lead in Bicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Passion for Talent Acquisition:In your cover letter, let your passion for recruiting shine through! Talk about what drew you to talent acquisition. Share experiences where you helped others find their dream jobs or any times you've been involved in hiring processes – it’ll show us at Dalcour Maclaren that you're genuinely invested in the field.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure your CV includes any relevant skills or certifications related to recruiting. Mentioning your knowledge of applicant tracking systems, personality assessments, or even any HR-related qualifications can set you apart. This way, we can see straight away that you're not just any candidate but one with the necessary tools for talent acquisition.
Tailor Your CV for the Job:When applying for Talent Lead at Dalcour Maclaren, tailor your CV to reflect the job description. Highlight previous experiences in recruitment, candidate sourcing, or employee engagement that align with what we’re after. Personalisation shows we’re not just another checkbox on your job applications!
Bring Your Unique Perspective:In your cover letter, don't hesitate to share your unique perspective on what makes a good recruiter. Whether it's building strong candidate relationships or your approach to diversity in hiring, your insights can resonate well with our team. We love a fresh take, so let it shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dalcour Maclaren
✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies
In the talent acquisition world, it’s all about knowing the best sourcing strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you’ve used to find and attract top talent, whether that’s through social media, networking events, or innovative outreach methods. Bring examples that showcase your capability!
✨Value of Employer Branding
Employer branding is a huge part of recruitment, so be ready to chat about how you’ve contributed to building an attractive company image. Think about how you’d pitch Dalcour Maclaren to potential candidates and maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.
✨Demonstrate Your Interviewing Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, hiring managers will want to see your interviewing prowess. Prepare for mock interview scenarios where you might need to assess candidates' cultural fit and skill set. Practise asking competency-based questions to demonstrate your systematic approach.
✨Engage with Data and Metrics
Being data-driven is key in talent acquisition! Expect to discuss how you’ve used recruiting metrics to refine your strategies. Familiarise yourself with common KPIs, like time-to-fill and candidate satisfaction scores, and be ready to back up your insights with data!
