At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead talent acquisition and shape recruitment strategies for a transformative tech institute.
- Company: EIT Oxford, a pioneering institute tackling global challenges through innovation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension contributions, private medical insurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and creative freedom.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building a diverse and inclusive workforce in cutting-edge fields.
- Qualifications: Experience in recruitment, strong communication skills, and a passion for talent management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Join us at EIT
At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we're on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real‑world impact.
We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges in four transformative areas:
- Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology
- Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
- Climate Change & Managing CO₂
- Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
Your Role
Joining EIT Oxford as Head of Talent offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the Institute’s workforce from the ground up.
You will not only fill positions but craft recruitment strategies and processes that define EIT’s culture and success long term.
The role provides full creative freedom to innovate, build scalable hiring systems, and create an engaging candidate experience.
You will lead and support the internal talent team and hiring managers, upskill stakeholders in recruitment best practice, and ensure compliant and consistent processes to deliver an exceptional candidate experience.
Additionally, you will contribute to onboarding, employer branding, employee engagement and the overall employee value proposition.
Your Responsibilities
Full‑Cycle Recruitment : Oversee the entire recruitment process from job requisition creation and approval, salary benchmarking with HR, sourcing and screening to interviews and offers.
Talent Pipeline Strategy : Build a talent pipeline strategy by role and function.
Inclusive Selection Processes : Design inclusive selection processes and measure them to ensure fairness and alignment with the employee value proposition.
Market Insights : Source and provide market insights to support business justification for compensation, benefits, reward and recognition structures.
Employer Branding : Partner with the Talent team to build and promote EIT’s brand, crafting compelling job descriptions and leveraging social media to attract top talent.
Process Development : Develop and implement recruitment strategies and processes where none exist; establish KPIs and recommend tools or technologies.
Sourcing Strategy : Identify the best sources for top talent, exploring a mix of job boards, Linked In, networking, events, conferences, communities and referrals.
Stakeholder Management : Work closely with department heads and leadership to understand role needs, align strategies with growth goals and adapt to changing priorities.
Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives : Advocate for a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring recruitment processes are unbiased.
Culture & Employee Engagement : Put people experience first, defining and communicating team culture, cultivating inclusion, and embedding best practices.
Talent Management : Support the wider HR team in assessing individual and organisational needs, providing training, succession mapping and career planning.
Requirements
- Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Expertise
- Significant experience in talent acquisition, recruitment or HR in high‑growth, start‑up or innovation‑led environments.
- Proven ability to source and engage active and passive candidates via Linked In, networking, referrals and direct sourcing.
- Experience building and maintaining talent pipelines.
- Understanding of recruitment best practice and end‑to‑end hiring processes.
- Stakeholder & Relationship Management
- Experience partnering with hiring managers and senior stakeholders to deliver effective recruitment solutions.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with candidates and internal stakeholders.
- Commitment to delivering an exceptional candidate experience throughout the recruitment lifecycle.
- Communication & Influencing Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills, including managing offer discussions.
- Ability to act as an ambassador for the organisation, communicating its mission and values.
- Planning, Organisation & Delivery
- Ability to manage multiple recruitment campaigns simultaneously.
- Excellent organisational, prioritisation and project‑management skills.
- Recruitment Systems & Data
- Experience using Applicant Tracking Systems and recruitment technologies.
- Analytical skills to monitor, interpret and improve recruitment metrics and KPIs.
- Experience using digital platforms and social media to strengthen employer brand visibility.
- Diversity, Inclusion & Employment Law
- Sound understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion principles in recruitment.
- Knowledge of UK employment legislation, right to work, contracts and fair hiring practices.
- Sector & Market Knowledge
- Understanding of talent markets within technology, AI, life sciences, research and innovation sectors.
- Knowledge of salary benchmarking, talent trends and competitor activity in relevant markets.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Regional knowledge: Oxfordshire, Home Counties and Oxford University talent pipelines.
- Professional networks across technology, AI, healthcare, academia and life sciences.
- Experience establishing, redesigning or improving recruitment processes during growth or transformation.
- Experience supporting ATS implementations such as Workable or Oracle Fusion.
- Experience developing employer branding and attraction strategies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, psychology or a related discipline.
- CIPD Level 3, 5 or equivalent professional qualification.
Benefits
- Enhanced holiday: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays and an additional 3 days between Christmas and New Year. Additional 5 days can be purchased in January and July.
- Pension: Employer contribution 7.5%, minimum employee contribution 5%.
- Life assurance and income protection.
- Private medical insurance for you and dependents, including hospital cash plan.
- Employee discounts.
- Electric car scheme.
- Nursery salary sacrifice scheme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Family planning support.
- Neurodiversity support including advice and assessments.
- Coaching and therapy services.
- Working Together – What It Involves
- Right to work permanently in the UK with willingness to travel as needed; sponsorship considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
- Live in or near Oxford, or be willing to relocate.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Talent in Oxford employer: Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford
The Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, you will have the opportunity to work alongside leading experts in the field, contributing to groundbreaking diagnostic technologies. Our competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including pension and medical insurance, ensure that our team members are well-supported in their professional journey.
Contact Details:
Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Talent in Oxford
✨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 Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, 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 Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford!
✨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 Head of Talent in Oxford
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 Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford 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 Head of Talent at Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, 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 Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford
✨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 Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford 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!
