At a Glance
- Tasks: Build a community of top talent and lead the hiring process for innovative roles.
- Company: Join EF, a pioneer in Talent Investing with a thriving startup ecosystem.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant London office with opportunities for travel across Europe.
- Why this job: Shape the future of startups by connecting exceptional talent with groundbreaking opportunities.
- Qualifications: 4-7 years in talent acquisition, strong relationship-building skills, and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 105000 £ per year.
About EF
Entrepreneurs First invests in exceptional individuals to build startups from scratch. We bring together talented outliers to develop their most ambitious ideas and raise money from the world’s best investors. Since pioneering Talent Investing in 2014, we have learned to recognise individuals with extraordinary futures before anyone else, embedding them in a community of ambitious peers and giving them the tools they need to succeed fast. Our portfolio is now worth over $17 billion and includes companies such as Cleo, Aztec, Gensyn, and PolyAI.
Role Overview
We are hiring a Talent Acquisition Specialist to lead sourcing and pipeline building for Talent Investor hires in the UK and Europe. The role has three primary threads: building a long‑term community of candidates, running proactive sourcing and a tight hiring process when roles open, and apprenticing on what "great" looks like from existing successful hires.
Qualifications
- 4‑7 years of experience hiring into Talent Investor‑adjacent roles.
- Practised at hiring without a playbook; able to assess signals, traits, judgment, and patterns in experience and behaviour.
- Long‑game relationship builder with a track record of maintaining talent communities and professional networks over years.
- Developed views on talent with an apprentice mindset, confident to defend a thesis on "great" in investor/founder‑facing roles.
- Outbound craft – write messages that earn replies and turn cold contacts into conversations and hires.
- Operationally excellent – run multiple pipelines in parallel without dropping candidates.
- Commercially literate and curious – able to engage investors, founders, and operators while learning the emerging Talent Investing model.
- Thrives in ambiguity – energized to help formalise the uncodified aspects of the role.
Responsibilities
- Build a long‑term community of Talent Investor candidates.
- Develop a deep understanding of where the strongest candidates sit; map the market and identify key individuals.
- Maintain long‑term relationships with candidates, acting as a thought partner and sounding board.
- Run a small number of high‑signal events and gatherings to position EF as the most credible place to discuss Talent Investing.
- Build the case for Talent Investing as a career and communicate it via content, online channels, talks, and partnerships.
- Feed market intelligence back to the team, sharing insights on what attracts or deters candidates across markets and levels.
- Run proactive sourcing for live hires and translate community to pipeline; conduct targeted outbound outreach.
- Build and own the systems that scale sourcing: a CRM of warm candidates, structured re‑engagement, and clear visibility of the long list.
- Run a tight hiring process from end to end, including first‑round screens and calibrated evaluation.
- Manage candidate pipelines for London and Paris‑based Talent Investors, expanding to India and US roles over time.
- Hold the team accountable to a clean process and a high‑quality candidate experience.
- Help evolve hiring processes, exploring AI to supercharge activities.
- Apprentice on taste and refine mental models; use each interview as a feedback loop to sharpen benchmarks.
- Codify what "great" looks like and share it to evaluate candidates faster and more consistently as we scale.
Role Details
- Location: London‑based; expected to be in office at least 3‑4 days per week.
- Travel: Required within the UK and Europe.
- Compensation: £95 000‑£105 000, plus annual performance bonus up to £15 000.
- Equity: Opportunity to subscribe to equity units covering portfolio companies.
Talent Acquisition Specialist in London employer: Entrepreneurs First
EF is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture centred around innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a Talent Acquisition Specialist. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer unique opportunities to engage with a community of ambitious peers and contribute to the pioneering field of Talent Investing. Our London office provides a dynamic environment where you can thrive, supported by competitive compensation and the chance to invest in your future through equity in our portfolio companies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Talent Acquisition Specialist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential candidates or mentors. Building relationships can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in your search. Don’t just wait for roles to be advertised; reach out to companies you admire and express your interest. A well-crafted message can turn a cold contact into a warm lead, so make sure your outreach is personal and engaging.
✨Tip Number 3
Keep your online presence sharp. Update your LinkedIn profile and showcase your expertise in Talent Acquisition. Share insights, articles, or even your thoughts on the latest trends in the industry. This not only positions you as a thought leader but also attracts the right attention.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talent that fits our culture and values. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, take that step and show us what you’ve got!
We think you need these skills to ace Talent Acquisition Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for Talent Investing shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about building a community of exceptional talent.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in sourcing and building talent pipelines. We love seeing how your past roles align with what we do at EF, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Craft Engaging Messages:Since outbound craft is key for this role, use your application to demonstrate your ability to write engaging messages. Think about how you can turn cold contacts into warm conversations – this is your chance to impress us!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Entrepreneurs First
✨Know Your Talent Investing Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the concept of Talent Investing. Understand its nuances and be ready to discuss how it differs from traditional hiring. This will show your passion and knowledge about the field, making you stand out as a candidate.
✨Build Relationships, Not Just Pipelines
Since this role is all about community building, come prepared with examples of how you've maintained long-term relationships with candidates in the past. Share specific strategies you've used to keep candidates engaged and how those relationships have benefited your previous employers.
✨Showcase Your Outbound Craft
Be ready to demonstrate your ability to write compelling outreach messages. Prepare a few examples of successful messages you've sent that turned cold contacts into conversations. This will highlight your skills in engaging potential candidates effectively.
✨Embrace Ambiguity and Adaptability
This role thrives in uncertainty, so be prepared to discuss times when you've navigated ambiguous situations successfully. Share how you approached these challenges and what you learned, showcasing your adaptability and problem-solving skills.
