Recruiter (12 months FTC) in Hastings

Company Description

General Dynamics Mission Systems engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of more than 13,000 top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defence and scientific arenas. In the UK, we are leading the way in avionics and communication systems. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency.

Job Description

Responsible for managing the recruitment life cycle. As Recruiter, you will lead everything from initial role scoping through candidate attraction, assessment and negotiation. Working closely with hiring managers, you will provide expert guidance on hiring best practices, ensuring that each vacancy is filled efficiently and with high-quality talent.

The role combines business partnering, interviewing expertise, and offer negotiation, while maintaining a strong commitment to delivering an excellent and inclusive candidate experience. As a trusted advisor, you will help shape hiring decisions and strengthen the organisation’s ability to attract top talent.

• Own the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring a seamless journey for candidates and hiring managers—from initial briefing through offer stage—while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with hiring managers to understand hiring needs, role requirements, offering expert guidance throughout the full recruitment life cycle.
• Screen and shortlist candidates based on hiring manager requirements, ensuring quality alignment while delivering a positive, and timely candidate experience.
• Lead high-quality interviews, applying strong interviewing skills—from structured interview techniques to competency-based assessment—to ensure robust, objective, and consistent evaluation of talent.
• Manage offer negotiation, using strong negotiation skills to ensure competitive yet sustainable outcomes while balancing candidate expectations, internal considerations, and market realities.
• Collaborate with the sourcing specialist to deliver effective, tailored sourcing strategies that support both current hiring needs and future talent pipelines.
• Drive innovative attraction methods, by ensuring all vacancies are effectively promoted using appropriate platforms—including job boards.
• Bring fresh ideas and market insight to reach and engage high-quality candidates across diverse channels.
• Represent the organisation at recruitment events, such as trade shows and career fairs, supporting brand presence and engaging potential candidates.
• Maintain high standards of data accuracy and consistency in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), ensuring a smooth and transparent recruitment process for all stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven end to end recruitment experience within a similar environment.
• Able to lead and advise the interview process, whilst coaching managers in best practice.
• Emphasis on quality of delivery as well as target driven.
• High level of candidate care and interaction.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Team player with a collaborative style of working, able to share successes with wider team.
• Detail-oriented and comfortable analysing and presenting data.
• Ability to organise and prioritise.
• Understanding of legislation and best practice in recruitment.

Desirable

• Defence Industry Knowledge.
• Technical/Engineering/Manufacturing industry knowledge.
• Professional Recruiter Certification.
• Event management experience i.e. Recruitment fairs.

Additional Information

This role has a starting salary of between £44,000 - £55,000, dependant upon experience, plus our flexible benefits package. This is a 12 months fixed term contract. We are open to this role being hybrid with time spent in our offices (expected 2/3 days) and time spent from home. Some requirement for travel will be required both within the UK.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits: A compressed nine-day fortnight and compressed hours - which means every other Friday off. A personalized career development plan, alongside regular progress reviews - supporting and valuing your progression within the Company. A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognized and rewarded with flexible benefits.

We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace - inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we welcome you to join our inclusive team!

Our success is fuelled by our colleagues and the wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills they bring to the Company. We are a Disability Confident Employer, as such we offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Please email [email protected] if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme. All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks.

Every application matters to us. We want you to know that each application we receive is reviewed by a real person—not just an algorithm. Our screening questions are also carefully considered to help us understand your experience and fit for the role. We appreciate the time you take to apply.