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- Tasks: Lead recruitment and workforce planning to shape a thriving college environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking college group committed to diversity and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension schemes, holiday package, gym access, and spa discounts.
- Why this job: Transform recruitment into a proactive strategy that impacts learner success and organisational growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in recruitment, knowledge of legislation, and Level 5 education or equivalent.
- Other info: Dynamic, friendly environment with state-of-the-art facilities and career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Are you ready to shape the future workforce of a thriving, forward‑thinking college group? We’re looking for an influential and strategic Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Lead to transform how we attract, retain, and grow exceptional staff across our colleges. This is a rare opportunity to elevate recruitment from a transactional function to a proactive, data‑led, people‑centred strategy that drives curriculum delivery, learner success and organisational growth.
As our Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Lead, you’ll oversee all end‑to‑end recruitment, resourcing, and workforce planning activities across East Surrey College and John Ruskin College. This includes:
- Leading and shaping our talent strategy
- Driving high quality, inclusive recruitment
- Building talent pipelines and strengthening employer brand
- Using data to drive decisions
The successful candidate must have:
- Good knowledge on recruitment legislation and best practice
- Experience of driving resourcing tools
- Experience of end to end recruitment or resourcing cycle
- Educated to Level 5 or equivalent experience
- Maths & English GCSE / Level 2 equivalent (achieved or willing to obtain)
If this sounds like you and you will enjoy working in a forward thinking, friendly, fast paced, changing environment with state of the art facilities, we would love to hear from you. In return, we offer a competitive salary, as well as staff benefits including a choice of two excellent pension schemes, a brilliant holiday package, free onsite parking and access to our fully equipped gym along with discounted in‑house Spa and Salon treatments.
Closing Date: Friday 20th February 2026. Applications will however be shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview and appoint before this closing date. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. As much as we would love to respond to all applicants, due to the sheer volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all unsuccessful candidates.
Orbital South Colleges Group are committed to Equal Opportunities, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community to reflect our diverse student population. We are also committed to PREVENT and Safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Both College Campuses are smoke‑free zones.
As part of our pre‑employment checks, successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS, references will be taken and evidence of all qualifications and awards will also be required before commencement of employment. Failure to do so may lead to offers being withdrawn. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits, and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.
Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Lead in Croydon employer: East Surrey College / John Ruskin College
Contact Detail:
East Surrey College / John Ruskin College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Lead in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Talent Acquisition role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your online presence sorted! Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and showcases your skills in recruitment and workforce planning. Engage with relevant content and connect with industry leaders to boost your visibility.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the colleges you're applying to. Understand their values, mission, and current challenges in talent acquisition. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in shaping their workforce.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our forward-thinking team. Get your application in early to avoid missing out!
We think you need these skills to ace Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning Lead in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for shaping the future workforce shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission to attract and retain exceptional staff.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in recruitment and workforce planning. Use specific examples that demonstrate your knowledge of recruitment legislation and best practices, as we love seeing relevant experience!
Be Data-Driven: Since we’re all about data-led strategies, don’t forget to mention any experience you have with using data to drive recruitment decisions. Show us how you’ve used metrics to improve processes or outcomes in your previous roles.
Apply Early!: We encourage you to apply through our website as soon as possible. With applications being shortlisted on a rolling basis, getting your application in early will help you avoid disappointment. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at East Surrey College / John Ruskin College
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on recruitment legislation and best practices. Familiarise yourself with the end-to-end recruitment cycle, as well as any resourcing tools that are relevant to the role. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Prepare to discuss how you would elevate recruitment from a transactional function to a proactive, data-led strategy. Think about examples from your past experiences where you've successfully implemented talent strategies or built talent pipelines. This will show that you can think strategically and have a clear vision for the role.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity
Since the role involves driving high-quality, inclusive recruitment, be ready to share your thoughts on how to attract diverse talent. Discuss any initiatives you've led or been part of that focused on inclusivity, and how you believe it contributes to organisational growth and learner success.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the college's current talent strategy, challenges they face in recruitment, or how they measure success in workforce planning. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation aligns with your values.
