Head of Talent

Head of Talent

Edinburgh Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
J

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead talent strategy, attract top talent, and foster a culture of learning and inclusion.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing education company transforming learning outcomes across Europe.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of education while building a high-performing team in a mission-driven setting.
  • Qualifications: Experience in high-growth environments, talent acquisition, and a passion for education required.
  • Other info: This role reports directly to the COO and offers a chance to influence company culture.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.

We’re a fast-growing, private equity-backed education company on a mission to transform learning outcomes at scale. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to excellence, we’re building a world-class team to shape the future of education. We’re looking for a strategic and hands-on Head of Talent to lead our end-to-end Talent strategy, reporting directly to the COO. This is a critical leadership role responsible for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent across the business—while building a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and inclusion.

More about the role:

  • Continuous improvement and execution of a scalable talent acquisition strategy aligned with business growth.
  • Building a strong employer brand and candidate experience.
  • Partner with leaders to forecast and fulfill talent needs across all functions with the support of your team.
  • Using data to make informed decisions and business directives.
  • Lead the design and delivery of learning programs that build capability and support career growth.
  • Champion and ensure the businesses academy and apprenticeship programme and scheme are world class and fit for purpose.
  • Champion leadership development, coaching, and succession planning.
  • Embed a culture of continuous learning and feedback.
  • Oversee performance management frameworks that drive accountability and growth.
  • Lead employee engagement initiatives and culture-building programs.
  • Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all talent practices.
  • Build and lead a high-performing Talent team.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team on all talent-related matters.

More about you:

  • Proven success in high-growth, fast-paced environments—ideally PE-backed/ mission-driven.
  • Deep expertise across talent acquisition, with further experience in L&D, performance, and engagement.
  • Strategic thinker with strong execution skills and a data-driven mindset.
  • Passionate about education and building high-impact teams.

Head of Talent employer: JR United Kingdom

As a fast-growing, private equity-backed education company, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that prioritises continuous learning, inclusion, and high performance. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our world-class academy and apprenticeship programmes, alongside robust leadership development initiatives. Join us in shaping the future of education while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages innovation.
J

Contact Detail:

JR United Kingdom Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Talent

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in talent acquisition and employee engagement, especially in fast-paced environments. This will help you speak confidently about innovative strategies during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the education sector and those who have experience in private equity-backed companies. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully built a high-performing team or improved talent acquisition processes. Use data to back up your achievements, as this aligns with the role's emphasis on a data-driven mindset.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your passion for education and continuous learning by engaging with relevant content, attending webinars, or participating in discussions. This will demonstrate your commitment to the mission of transforming learning outcomes.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Talent

Talent Acquisition Strategy
Employer Branding
Data-Driven Decision Making
Learning and Development (L&D)
Performance Management
Employee Engagement
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Leadership Development
Succession Planning
High-Performance Culture Building
Stakeholder Management
Coaching and Mentoring
Strategic Thinking
Change Management
Team Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Talent position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, and think about how your experience aligns with these.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in talent acquisition, learning and development, and performance management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your success in high-growth environments.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for education and your strategic vision for talent management. Address how you would contribute to building a culture of high performance and continuous learning.

Highlight Data-Driven Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that illustrate your ability to use data to inform decisions. This could be metrics related to talent acquisition success, employee engagement scores, or learning programme outcomes.

How to prepare for a job interview at JR United Kingdom

✨Understand the Company’s Mission

Before your interview, make sure you fully grasp the company's mission to transform learning outcomes. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your passion for education.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare examples that highlight your strategic approach to talent acquisition and development. Discuss how you've successfully implemented scalable strategies in previous roles, especially in high-growth environments.

✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decisions

Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform your talent strategies. Share specific metrics or outcomes that resulted from your data-driven decisions to showcase your analytical skills.

✨Highlight Your Leadership Experience

As this role involves leading a high-performing Talent team, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share experiences where you've built strong teams, fostered a culture of continuous learning, and promoted diversity and inclusion.

Head of Talent
JR United Kingdom
J
  • Head of Talent

    Edinburgh
    Full-Time
    54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-06-25

  • J

    JR United Kingdom

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