At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global talent acquisition strategy and enhance candidate experience.
- Company: Join the iconic Dr. Martens, a brand with over 60 years of cultural impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous discounts, private healthcare, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values authenticity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping how we attract top talent globally.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in talent acquisition and expertise in inclusive hiring practices.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Dr. Martens is more than a brand - it’s a global icon with over 60 years of attitude, heritage, and cultural impact. We're a thriving, values‑driven business powered by diverse thinkers, bold doers, and people who bring their whole selves to work. If you're ready to make your mark, you're in the right place. At DM, our values guide everything we do: Be Yourself, Act Courageously, Show You Care. They're not just words - they're how we turn passion into progress.
As our Head of Talent Acquisition, you'll be part of the People team working closely with brilliant people across the business and reporting into Global Head of Talent, Learning & Performance. You'll be right at the heart of fast-moving projects that shape how we show up for our consumers - today and tomorrow.
The Head of Talent Acquisition (TA) owns the global strategy to attract, engage and hire top talent that enables our growth ambitions. The role aligns hiring plans to our market and function priorities, strengthens our leadership pipelines, and ensures our workforce reflects the diverse consumers we serve. By elevating candidate and hiring manager experience, and by building scalable TA capabilities across markets and functions, this role is a key enabler of organisational excellence and consumer centric execution.
CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Defining and delivering the global Talent Acquisition strategy, aligning workforce planning, hiring priorities and global standards with enterprise objectives, while partnering with Finance and People teams to support evolving business needs.
- Building world-class talent attraction and hiring capability, strengthening employer brand, candidate experience, diverse hiring practices and proactive talent pipelines across executive, specialist and frontline roles, while personally leading executive search activity.
- Leading global Talent Acquisition operations and governance, overseeing TA processes, technology, vendor partnerships, hiring manager capability, data quality and reporting to drive consistent, efficient and high-quality hiring outcomes worldwide.
- Driving talent development and internal mobility, partnering with Learning & Development to establish early careers programmes, internal mobility pathways and sustainable talent pipelines that reduce external hiring dependency.
- Building and developing a high-performing global Talent Acquisition team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement while providing strategic insight and progress reporting to executive leadership.
KEY SKILLS & CAPABILITIES
- Strong strategic Talent Acquisition leadership, with a proven track record of developing global hiring strategies, workforce plans and talent solutions that support business growth and organisational priorities.
- Expertise in talent attraction, employer branding and inclusive hiring, with the ability to build proactive talent pipelines, deliver exceptional candidate experiences and embed fair, equitable and accessible recruitment practices.
- Strong analytical and operational capability, using workforce planning, recruitment metrics and data-driven insights to optimise hiring performance, improve decision-making and drive continuous improvement across Talent Acquisition processes and technology.
- Excellent stakeholder management and change leadership skills, able to influence senior leaders, build alignment across global functions and markets, and successfully embed consistent Talent Acquisition standards and ways of working.
- Exceptional communication, leadership and commercial awareness, with the ability to inspire teams, manage external partners effectively and translate talent strategy into practical, high-quality hiring outcomes.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Hybrid working
- Welcome free pair of Docs
- 65% off all Docs
- 50% off Accessories
- Pension Scheme through Aviva
- Life Assurance
- 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
- Private healthcare
- 2 paid volunteer days per year
At Dr. Martens, we are committed to creating an environment in which we can all be our best and bring our authentic selves to work. We encourage applications, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability. Diverse and inclusive teams have a positive impact on our brand; helping us to speak authentically to our consumers. We strive to develop a business where our people can thrive and feel empowered to express themselves. Because we believe everyone should feel supported and included whatever their role in the Dr. Martens community.
Head of Talent Acquisition - Maternity Cover 12 Month FTC employer: Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens is an exceptional employer that champions creativity and innovation, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth through diverse projects and collaboration with cross-functional teams, the company provides valuable benefits such as healthcare, employee discounts, and volunteer days, making it a rewarding place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the world of digital experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Talent Acquisition - Maternity Cover 12 Month FTC
✨Get Involved in Recruitment Events
Temporary roles in talent acquisition can pop up all over the place, so keep an eye on local recruitment fairs and industry networking events. These are prime opportunities to chat directly with companies like Dr. Martens and get your foot in the door—sometimes you can even land an interview on the spot!
✨Engage in Online Recruitment Communities
Join communities on platforms like LinkedIn or niche forums where recruiters hang out. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and post your availability for temporary roles. You never know, a connection might refer you to a role at a place like Dr. Martens before it even hits job boards!
✨Flex Your Availability and Skills
When applying for temporary positions, be upfront about your availability and any specific skills you have that can meet the urgent needs of recruiters. This makes you more attractive to hiring managers looking for someone who can hit the ground running.
✨Tap Into Your Uni’s Career Services
If you're still near a university, don't forget about their career services! They often have exclusive listings for temporary roles, especially in talent acquisition, and can connect you with employers who are keen to hire students or recent grads like us for short-term assignments.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Talent Acquisition - Maternity Cover 12 Month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Recruitment Skills:As someone applying for a talent acquisition role, it’s key to highlight your experience in finding and placing talent. Talk about specific methods you’ve used in past roles—whether it’s social media sourcing, networking, or using ATS systems. Show us how you’ve made a difference in previous projects!
Tailor Your CV for Talent Acquisition:When you're putting together your CV for a temporary role in recruiting, focus on your measurable achievements—like the number of positions filled or the reduction in time-to-hire. Use bullet points to make it easy for us to see your contributions at a glance, and don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training you've undergone!
Craft a Relatable Cover Letter:For a temporary role, your cover letter should not only explain why you want this job but also why you’re suited for short-term projects. Mention your adaptability and any past experiences where you quickly integrated into a team or got up to speed with new processes. Let us know how you can hit the ground running!
Highlight Immediate Availability:Since this is a temporary position, it’s essential to emphasise your availability in your application. Make it clear when you can start and how flexible you are with hours. Frame it as a positive—your ability to jump in and help us right when we need you will definitely make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dr. Martens
✨Show Off Your People Skills
Since you're getting into talent acquisition, it's crucial to highlight your communication and interpersonal skills. Think of a few scenarios where you've successfully dealt with candidates, managed relationships, or resolved conflicts—these will give you a solid edge in the interview with Dr. Martens.
✨Research the Latest Recruiting Tools
Stay ahead of the game by familiarising yourself with popular ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and recruitment tools that are trending in the industry. Be ready to discuss how you might use these tools in your role at Dr. Martens, even if it's just a temporary role—they’ll want to know you can hit the ground running.
✨Understand the Urgency
Temporary roles often mean quick turnarounds. Show that you understand the nuances of urgent hiring processes, perhaps by sharing experiences where you had to source candidates under tight deadlines. It demonstrates you know the ropes and can adapt fast, which will definitely impress Dr. Martens.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Temp roles can be unpredictable, so emphasise your flexibility and willingness to take on varying workloads or adapt to different company cultures. Prepare a few anecdotes where you've thrived in a dynamic environment—Dr. Martens will want to see that you can roll with the punches!
