STEM & Specialist Talent Acquisition Manager| S3-level | HR Talent Acquisition | 12 Month Fixed[...] in Milton Keynes

Our HR Talent Acquisition team is looking for a STEM & Specialist Recruiter based out of Milton Keynes. As a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) & Specialist Recruiter, you will be a strategic talent advisor and operational recruiter, focused on identifying, attracting, and hiring top STEM and Specialist talent. This role partners deeply with business leaders to align recruitment strategy with workforce planning, diversity goals, and long‑term capability development.

You will report to the Talent Experience Manager as a STEM & Specialist Recruiter within the Talent Experience team at Santander UK, playing a pivotal role in acquiring top‑tier talent to meet the ever‑evolving needs of our organization. Your responsibility will be to identify, attract, and hire exceptional STEM and Specialist professionals who will support the Bank's strategic workforce planning and help drive innovation. This role will require you to provide an end‑to‑end vacancy management service (including sourcing).

You will work closely with hiring managers, the Talent Area of Expertise (AoE), and other key stakeholders to ensure a seamless recruitment process that contributes to the development and career growth of our employees. The role is designed to support the competitive talent marketplace and ensure the right development support is in place for both new hires and current employees.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting‑edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas.

• Collaborate with business leaders, HR, and workforce planning teams to understand future skills needs in STEM & Specialist areas.
• Partner with the broader Talent Experience team to implement recruitment strategies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Leverage innovative approaches to attract a diverse range of STEM talent to the Bank.
• Advise on market insights – including talent availability, competitor benchmarking, and salary trends.
• Translate business objectives into proactive recruitment strategies and pipelines.
• Manage full‑cycle recruitment for technical and specialist roles (e.g. data science, engineering, cybersecurity, R&D).
• Develop tailored sourcing strategies using LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean searches, industry networks, and academic partnerships.
• Use analytics to track and report hiring performance (time‑to‑fill, quality of hire, diversity ratios, source effectiveness).
• Recommend continuous improvements to recruitment processes, systems, and candidate experience.
• Actively promote and enhance the Bank’s employer brand in the STEM & Specialist community by building relationships with universities, professional organisations, and key industry players.
• Represent the Bank at recruitment events, job fairs, and other networking opportunities.
• Ensure all areas of key policies and procedures are followed, including managing and logging any dispensation requests.

• Wellbeing that goes beyond work – we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
• Support for every life stage – from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE: At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone – regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. To make this possible, our roles are site‑based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro‑rata for part‑time roles).

• Proven experience advising, challenging, and influencing senior leaders/business stakeholders with data‑backed recommendations. (Required)
• Experience within a large, matrixed organisation or in-house recruitment team. (Required)
• Ability to demonstrate previous experience using metrics to assess recruitment effectiveness. (Required)
• Exposure to regulated industries such as banking or financial services. (Preferred)

• HR/Recruitment qualification. (Preferred)
• GCSEs (including Maths and English) or equivalent qualification. (Required)

• English. (Required)
• Additional European languages. (Preferred)

• Knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) – e.g. Workday, Greenhouse, SmartRecruiters, iCIMS. (Required)
• Strong reporting and data‑tracking skills using Excel or recruitment dashboards. (Required)
• Familiarity with digital recruitment tools – e.g. video interviewing platforms, LinkedIn Recruiter. (Required)

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Resilient, proactive, and solutions‑oriented mindset.

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return. Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive – personally and professionally.

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5 years service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year.
• £6,000 car allowance per year.
• Company funded individual private medical insurance.
• Protection for you and your family: company‑funded death‑in‑service benefit and income protection insurance, with the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.
• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans.
• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products – like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards – with no fees, and apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services.