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
Implementation of new workflows
Drive:
Reduction of manual workarounds
Elimination of duplicate data handling across systems and spreadsheets
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
