At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the recruitment process and transform it into a modern, efficient system.
- Company: Join Pearson, a global leader in lifelong learning and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits tailored to diverse needs and lifestyles.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on recruitment processes and help shape the future of education.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume recruitment and strong Excel skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Role Purpose
The Manager, Recruiter holds full accountability for the end-to-end Associate Recruitment function, delivering a high-volume, process-driven recruitment operation that supports Pearson's assessment delivery. The role operates with full autonomy and is responsible for:
- Managing recruitment delivery and team performance
- Leading stakeholder relationships
- Owning attraction strategy and advertising budget
- Driving the transformation of recruitment processes from a legacy, manual and spreadsheet-supported model to a scalable, system-driven platform.
The current recruitment model is delivered through a legacy web-based platform heavily supplemented by manual processing and Excel-based workflows. This role is critical in evolving that model into a more efficient and sustainable solution.
Key Accountabilities
- End-to-End Recruitment Ownership
- Own the full Associate recruitment lifecycle, from attraction through to onboarding
- Ensure recruitment delivery aligns with assessment timelines and workforce demand
- Oversee high-volume application processing and onboarding activity
- Proactively identify and manage risks to delivery
- Team Leadership & Operational Delivery
- Lead and manage a geographically distributed team of Recruiters across the UK and the Philippines
- Set priorities and manage workload across high-volume, process-driven activity
- Ensure high standards of accuracy, consistency, and compliance
- Develop team capability in Excel, data handling, and recruitment processes
- Recruitment Platform Ownership
- Act as the operational owner of the recruitment component of the Associate Recruitment and Contracting platform (ARC2)
- Define business requirements based on current processes, pain points, and future needs
- Translate manual and Excel-based workflows into scalable system requirements
- Represent recruitment in design discussions, ensuring the platform reflects real operational use
- Lead user acceptance testing (UAT), process validation prior to go-live, and implementation of new workflows
- Drive reduction of manual workarounds, elimination of duplicate data handling across systems and spreadsheets, and adoption of the platform across the team
- Provide continuous feedback to improve system functionality post-launch
- Advertising Strategy & Budget Management
- Own the attraction strategy for Associate recruitment
- Manage relationships with advertisers and job boards
- Control and allocate advertising budget effectively
- Monitor performance of channels and optimise spend
- Stakeholder Management
- Lead relationships with stakeholders
- Translate demand into recruitment plans and timelines
- Provide clear updates on delivery progress and constraints
- Influence stakeholders on process improvements and realistic delivery expectations
- Process Governance & Improvement
- Own recruitment processes, ensuring they are efficient, consistent, and scalable
- Identify inefficiencies caused by current manual and spreadsheet-based activity
- Drive process improvements to simplify and standardise ways of working
- Ensure all processes remain audit-ready and compliant
- Data, Reporting & Insight
- Oversee recruitment tracking and reporting across systems and Excel tools
- Analyse data to identify trends, risks, and bottlenecks
- Improve data visibility and reduce reliance on fragmented reporting
- Use data to inform operational and strategic decisions
- Workforce Readiness & Onboarding
- Ensure onboarding activity is completed accurately and within timelines
- Maintain oversight of Recruitment readiness for assessment delivery
- Work with internal teams to ensure smooth transition from recruitment to deployment
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Proven experience leading high-volume, process-driven recruitment or operations
- Strong experience managing teams in data-heavy environments
- Advanced Excel skills (complex tracking, data manipulation, reporting)
- Strong stakeholder management and communication capability
- Experience managing suppliers and/or budgets
Desirable
- Experience working with legacy systems or system transformation programmes
- Experience translating manual processes into system requirements
- Experience supporting or leading UAT and implementation activity
- Background in education, assessment, or contingent workforce models
Key Competencies
- Ownership & Accountability: Full responsibility for delivery, performance, and outcomes
- Operational Excellence: Drives efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
- Stakeholder Leadership: Builds strong relationships and influences decisions
- People Leadership: Develops capability and performance in others
- Transformation & Change: Leads transition from manual to system-led ways of working
Impact & Scope
- Full ownership of Associate recruitment operations
- Leadership of a high-volume, process-driven recruitment team
- Accountability for transitioning recruitment from a manual/spreadsheet-supported model to a modern platform
- Direct impact on Pearson's assessment delivery capability
Measures of Success
- Recruitment delivery against timelines and volume requirements
- Reduction in manual processing and spreadsheet dependency
- Successful adoption and effectiveness of new recruitment platform
- Accuracy and quality of recruitment and onboarding data
- Stakeholder satisfaction and confidence
Your rewards & benefits
We know you'll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn't fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families too.
Please see our attractive UK benefits here: Pearson Jobs - Benefits
Who we are
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.
Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.
Manager, Recruiter employer: Pearson
At Pearson, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programs and the opportunity to lead transformative recruitment processes in a supportive environment. Located in the UK, we provide competitive benefits tailored to meet the diverse needs of our team, ensuring that every member feels valued and empowered to achieve their professional aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, Recruiter
✨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 Pearson, 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 Pearson!
✨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 Manager, Recruiter
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 Pearson 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 Manager, Recruiter at Pearson, 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 Pearson
✨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 Pearson 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!
