At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of talent acquisition and build high-performing engineering teams.
- Company: Join Plain, a cutting-edge platform transforming B2B customer support with AI.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with genuine friendships and excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team redefining customer relationships and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in full-cycle recruiting and a passion for building scalable hiring systems.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 115000 £ per year.
Who are Plain? Plain is redefining customer support for the next generation of B2B companies. We’re building the fastest, most powerful platform to help companies move beyond reactive support and build true customer relationships. Some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies – like Cursor, Vercel, and Granola – trust Plain to unify all customer interactions, enable faster team collaboration, and supercharge their workflows with AI. B2B customer support is undergoing a seismic shift. AI is transforming the way companies engage with customers, shifting support from a siloed function to a company‑wide effort across Slack, Discord, and any other channel you talk to customers in. The old way – slow, manual, and disconnected – no longer works.
We’re looking for a Talent Lead to build the teams that define this next phase of support tooling. This role is hybrid with 3 days a week in our London office.
What You’ll Do
This is a builder role in talent. You're not inheriting a mature function - you're shaping one. You’ll own engineering hiring end to end – pipeline, process, candidate experience, and close. You’ll build the systems and tooling that make hiring scalable. And you’ll work with engineering leaders to keep the bar high as we grow. We talk a lot internally about Plain being a place people graduate from – future founders meeting their co‑founders here. Leavers trying to pull their ex Plain teammates to their next company. Genuine friendships built across the team. A team so good, that every tech recruiter has Plain high on their sourcing list. That's What We're Building. This Role Is How.
This is a great fit if you…
- Have strong opinions about what great hiring looks like and the conviction to push for it.
- Have owned full‑cycle recruiting across product engineering, ML/AI, infrastructure, and beyond – to an exceptional bar.
- Can identify engineers who move fast with AI and still think clearly without it.
- Know how to build pipeline – whether that's a referral flywheel, a strong employer brand, a well‑run outbound motion, or a mix of the three.
- Get excited about process and tooling, not just people – you build systems that make hiring scalable.
- Can run multiple searches at pace without the bar or experience slipping.
- Partner closely with engineering leadership – you're an extension of the team, not a service function.
- Are comfortable rolling up your sleeves beyond tech hiring – Talent Ops, People Ops, GTM hiring – whatever the company needs.
This won’t be the right role if you…
- Treat hiring as a numbers game – we'd rather wait for the right person than move fast for the wrong one.
- Are looking for a well‑defined, mature talent function to step into – there's real infrastructure to build here and you should be excited by that.
- Are uncomfortable working closely with engineering – this role requires genuine partnership with technical leaders, not just coordination.
- Want to hand off sourcing and pipeline work to someone else – this is a hands‑on role and that won't change for a while.
Compensation Range: £90K – £115K
Talent Acquisition Lead employer: Plain
At Plain, we are not just redefining customer support; we are creating a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Talent Acquisition Lead in our London office, you will have the unique opportunity to shape our hiring processes while working alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. We prioritise employee growth, offering a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact our mission, and genuine friendships flourish among team members, making Plain an exceptional place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Talent Acquisition Lead
✨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 Plain, 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 Plain!
✨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 Talent Acquisition Lead
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 Plain 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 Talent Acquisition Lead at Plain, 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 Plain
✨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 Plain 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!
