Head of Staffing

Head of Staffing

Slough Full-Time 42000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead staffing strategy and talent acquisition for a top experiential agency.
  • Company: Join a renowned agency known for impactful campaigns in the UK and globally.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, and a hybrid work environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of experiential staffing in a creative, people-first culture.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in experiential staffing with strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace; referral bonuses available.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.

Head of Staffing – Experiential & Brand Experience Agency – London/Hybrid

DNA Recruit are thrilled to be partnering with a leading Brand Expereince & Experiential agency to find their next Head of Staffing.
A pivotal leadership position driving excellence across promotional staffing and talent strategy. This agency is renowned for producing creative, impactful campaigns across the UK and globally, and this role sits at the very heart of their delivery success.

About the Role
As Head of Staffing, you will be a key member of the senior management team, responsible for shaping and executing a best-in-class staffing strategy.
You’ll lead all aspects of talent acquisition, staff training and motivation, database management, and campaign staffing operations. You’ll work cross-functionally with client service teams, creatives, and leadership to uphold the agency’s reputation for outstanding field teams. This is a strategic and hands-on role ideal for someone who lives and breathes experiential staffing and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute an annual recruitment plan ensuring national talent coverage.
  • Oversee end-to-end recruitment for field and internal roles.
  • Continuously source high-calibre talent aligned to campaign briefs.
  • Lead and evolve interview processes, candidate profiling, and legal compliance.
  • Utilise digital tools, video assets, and social recruitment methods to attract top talent.
  • Manage and maintain a high-performing staffing database with rigorous data integrity.
  • Provide training on database tools and oversee access control.
  • Design and deliver induction and training programmes for field and event staff.
  • Oversee field staff communications, including a motivational newsletter.
  • Nurture and manage a high-performing internal talent team with regular 1:1s and PDPs.
  • Interpret client briefs, advise on ideal staffing profiles, and own end-to-end talent delivery.
  • Ensure all campaign staff are booked, briefed, and managed in alignment with client expectations and budgets.
  • Oversee staffing project documentation, reports, and internal communication processes.
  • Act as the expert advisor for all things staffing—internally and externally.
  • Attend client meetings, support new business pitches, and provide insights to senior stakeholders.
  • Build strong relationships with client stakeholders and identify business growth opportunities.
  • Manage departmental budgets and track campaign profitability.
  • Maximise staffing margin and ensure PO/invoicing processes are followed.
  • Monitor field staff payroll and campaign reconciliation in line with internal policies.
  • Mentor junior team members and contribute to a positive, productive working environment.

Key Requirements:

  • Proven leadership experience in experiential staffing or brand experience agency environments – essential.
  • A clear understanding of how to deliver complex, large-scale campaigns from a staffing perspective, not just candidate sourcing.
  • Strong operational and commercial mindset with experience managing budgets, payroll, resourcing, and profitability.
  • Confident managing senior-level stakeholders, internal teams, and freelance talent pools.
  • Strategic thinker who’s also hands-on — you’ll lead from the front and aren’t afraid to get stuck in.
  • Exceptional communicator and motivator, with experience mentoring internal team members and building a performance-driven culture.
  • Solid knowledge of employment law relating to temp and freelance workers in the UK.
  • Must have agency-side experience — recruitment agency or in-house talent acquisition backgrounds will not be suitable for this role.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a vital function within a highly creative, people-first agency that values innovation, autonomy, and growth. If you thrive in high-energy environments, love working with people, and are ready to shape the future of experiential staffing, this is for you.
Location: London/Hybrid (Reading)
Salary: £60K plus bonus and benefits
Job Reference: AW 11762
DNA is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Although we try to respond to all applications, unfortunately, due to the high number we receive, we are unable to respond to all of those who are unsuccessful.

  • We offer up to £250 in vouchers for any referrals who pass their probationary period, so if you know anyone who might be interested please forward the link to the job advert to them.
  • Be the first to know about our latest roles by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

DNA Recruit deliver dynamic recruitment, search and talent solutions and provide insight, knowledge, and credible introductions necessary for client-side and agency roles. Areas we specialise in New Business, Account and Project Management, Strategy and Planning, Events, Experiential, Creative and User Experience Design, Technology, Product, Marketing and Data roles in permanent, contract and freelance recruitment, search and selection, talent advisory and consulting across the UK and globally.

Head of Staffing employer: DNA Recruit

At DNA Recruit, we pride ourselves on being a people-first agency that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. As the Head of Staffing, you will not only lead a talented team but also have access to exceptional growth opportunities within a dynamic environment in London. With a focus on innovation and autonomy, we empower our employees to thrive while delivering impactful campaigns that resonate globally.
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Contact Detail:

DNA Recruit Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Staffing

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the experiential staffing industry. Attend relevant events, webinars, or workshops to connect with potential colleagues and clients. Building relationships can give you insights into the agency's culture and expectations.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in talent acquisition and staffing strategies. Being knowledgeable about innovative recruitment methods will demonstrate your commitment to excellence and your ability to lead in a fast-paced environment.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with managing diverse teams and complex campaigns. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully led staffing initiatives that align with client expectations and budgets.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your understanding of employment law related to temporary workers. Being well-versed in this area will position you as a knowledgeable candidate who can navigate legal compliance effectively within the staffing process.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Staffing

Leadership Skills
Talent Acquisition
Staff Training and Development
Database Management
Campaign Staffing Operations
Strategic Planning
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Client Relationship Management
Employment Law Knowledge
Budget Management
Data Integrity
Motivational Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Project Documentation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in staffing and talent acquisition. Focus on your leadership roles, successful campaigns you've managed, and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities of the Head of Staffing position.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for experiential staffing and your understanding of the agency's needs. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to their success and align with their values.

Showcase Your Strategic Mindset: In your application, emphasise your strategic approach to staffing and recruitment. Discuss how you've developed and executed recruitment plans in the past, and how you can apply this experience to the role at the agency.

Highlight Your Communication Skills: As a key member of the senior management team, strong communication skills are essential. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with stakeholders, led teams, and influenced decisions in previous roles.

How to prepare for a job interview at DNA Recruit

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a candidate for the Head of Staffing position, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments. Highlight your ability to motivate and mentor staff, as this role requires nurturing a high-performing internal talent team.

✨Understand the Agency's Culture

Familiarise yourself with the agency's values and culture before the interview. This will help you align your answers with their ethos and show that you're a good fit. Be ready to discuss how your personal values resonate with theirs, especially regarding innovation and a people-first approach.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think about past experiences where you had to manage multiple stakeholders or navigate complex staffing challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.

✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Employment Law

Since the role involves managing temp workers, be prepared to discuss your knowledge of employment law related to staffing. This will showcase your expertise and reassure the interviewers that you can handle legal compliance effectively. Brush up on relevant regulations and be ready to provide examples of how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles.

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