At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead recruitment for high-value security-cleared roles in Defence and Aerospace sectors.
- Company: Join Manpower, a global leader in recruitment with a commitment to ethics and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy uncapped earnings, career progression, and flexible health benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with a focus on work-life balance and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while mentoring future talent.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in contract recruitment and strong sales skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33750 - 41250 £ per year.
Location: Greater Manchester (Altrincham) - Hybrid, 2 days office attendance
We are looking for an experienced Principal Recruitment Consultant with a contract specialism background to take ownership of a high-value security-cleared talent function. This is a true 360 recruitment role, combining business development, contractor redeployment, and account growth across highly specialised markets including Defence, Aerospace, Space, and Nuclear. This role is critical to driving revenue growth, improving contractor redeployment, and scaling the Secure Projects function into a high-performing, market-leading capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Development & Revenue Generation
- Proactively develop new client relationships within secure and defence-related sectors
- Leverage an existing pool of SC/DV-cleared contractors to generate new business opportunities
- Build and maintain a structured sales pipeline with a focus on long-term growth
- Work closely with Group Sales, MSPs, and Account Management to maximise opportunities
- 360 Recruitment Delivery
- Manage the full contract recruitment lifecycle, from client acquisition to placement and aftercare
- Redeploy existing contractors to maximise utilisation and profitability
- Identify redeployment triggers and act proactively to secure continuity of assignments
- Collaborate with delivery teams for roles requiring additional sourcing focus
- Contractor & Account Management
- Provide high-quality contractor aftercare to drive retention and repeat business
- Ensure compliance and best practices across all assignments
- Support account growth through extensions, upselling, and redeployment strategies
- Team Development & Function Growth
- Mentor junior consultants and contribute to building a high-performance team
- Help establish best practice across the Secure Projects recruitment function
- Play a key role in scaling the 360 Defence recruitment capability
Required Experience & Skills
- Proven experience as a contract sales recruiter (360)
- Strong background in SC-cleared / MOD / secure projects recruitment
- Deep understanding of:
- Contractor lifecycle
- Aftercare and retention strategies
- Redeployment and extension processes
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Own and deliver against revenue targets
- Operate autonomously in a sales-driven environment
- Build and scale recruitment functions
Why join us?
At Manpower, we're committed to your growth and success. Whether you're an experienced recruiter or new to the industry, we provide the tools and support to help you thrive.
What we offer:
- Uncapped earning potential: Competitive salary, commission, and performance bonuses
- Career progression: Clear pathways to working your way up
- A high-performance culture: Recognition, rewards, and a collaborative, driven team that celebrates your achievements
- Work-life balance: 24 days' holiday (rising to 27), your birthday off, and early finish Friday each month
- Health & wellbeing benefits: Flexible benefits for private medical, dental, gym memberships, and more.
About Manpower
Manpower is a global leader in contingent staffing and permanent recruitment, helping businesses stay agile in an ever-changing world. We're proud to be recognised as one of the world's most ethical companies for the 16th time, reinforcing our commitment to doing business the right way. We foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone belongs. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Apply now and build a meaningful career with Manpower.
Principal Recruitment Consultant in Manchester employer: Manpower Internal Talent
At Manpower, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that champions growth and collaboration. Located in Greater Manchester, our hybrid model allows for flexibility while providing uncapped earning potential and clear career progression pathways. Join us to be part of a high-performance team that values your contributions and supports your well-being with comprehensive health benefits and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Recruitment Consultant in Manchester
✨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 Manpower Internal Talent, 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 Manpower Internal Talent!
✨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 Principal Recruitment Consultant in Manchester
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 Manpower Internal Talent 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 Principal Recruitment Consultant at Manpower Internal Talent, 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 Manpower Internal Talent
✨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 Manpower Internal Talent 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!
