At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a strategic talent strategy and unite teams for future workforce planning.
- Company: Dynamic organisation in Manchester focused on innovative talent development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a chance to shape organisational change.
- Other info: Opportunity to define a new function and connect established teams.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on talent strategy and influence senior decision-making.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic talent acquisition and workforce planning in complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Shape how a complex organisation attracts, develops and retains the talent it needs for the future.
Contract: Permanent, fulltime
Salary: £70,000 - £90,000 per annum + wider package
Location: Manchester City Centre (1-2 days per week onsite only)
Hours: Mon-Fri, standard office & flexible
This newly created leadership role offers the opportunity to build a more connected and forward-looking approach to talent. Joining at an important stage of organisational change, you will bring together Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development within a single strategic agenda. Reporting to a senior people executive, you will move the organisation beyond strong operational delivery towards an integrated talent model. Your remit will span attraction, onboarding, development, retention and strategic workforce planning, ensuring that talent decisions are informed by meaningful data and aligned with long-term organisational priorities.
The Opportunity
- Create and lead an end-to-end talent strategy.
- Unite established Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development teams around shared priorities.
- Strengthen strategic workforce planning and future capability development.
- Translate talent, retention and attrition data into actionable organisational insight.
- Advise senior leaders on emerging skills requirements and the changing nature of work.
- Shape the operating model for a modern, strategically focused talent function.
- Build stronger connections between people investment and organisational outcomes.
About You
You will be an accomplished talent leader from a large, complex or matrix organisation, with demonstrable experience of strategic Talent Acquisition, workforce planning and talent analytics. You will combine commercial judgement with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders, challenge constructively and lead through ambiguity. Experience of integrating talent disciplines or shaping organisational capability will be particularly valuable. Deep technical Learning & Development expertise is not essential. More important is your ability to provide strategic direction, connect established teams and turn insight into a coherent talent agenda.
Apply
This is an opportunity to define a newly created function, influence senior decision-making and establish a talent strategy with lasting organisational impact. If you are ready to move beyond traditional Talent Acquisition and shape a broader future-workforce agenda, we would welcome a confidential conversation.
Head of Strategic Talent & Development in Manchester employer: Nigel Wright Group Careers
As a leading engineering business in the North East, our client offers an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and technical excellence. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that encourages professional growth and development, with clear pathways to advance into leadership roles. The company's commitment to bespoke product development in safety-critical environments ensures that every team member plays a vital role in solving complex challenges, making this an exciting and rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Nigel Wright Group Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Talent & Development in Manchester
✨Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Talent & Development 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 Nigel Wright Group Careers 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 Strategic Talent & Development at Nigel Wright Group Careers, 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 Nigel Wright Group Careers
✨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 Nigel Wright Group Careers 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!
