Head of Recruitment & Onboarding (Maternity Cover) in Leeds

SBFM are seeking an experienced Head of Recruitment & Onboarding to lead the recruitment function on a fixed-term cover basis, commencing in June. This position will initially be based full-time at our Leeds office, with the possibility of hybrid working upon successful completion of training. The Head of Recruitment & Onboarding will lead the internal recruitment and onboarding function, overseeing the full end-to-end recruitment lifecycle across all levels, divisions, and disciplines. This position involves managing both the high-volume recruitment of frontline cleaning operatives, alongside salaried head office and specialist positions across the business. Responsible for managing both UK-based and offshore recruitment teams, the role will drive recruitment strategy, workforce planning, onboarding compliance, and operational delivery to support business growth and client requirements. Working closely with senior leadership, operational teams, and hiring managers, the Head of Recruitment & Onboarding will ensure recruitment performance targets are achieved, onboarding processes are streamlined, and compliance standards are maintained across all recruitment activity.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the recruitment and onboarding function, including UK and offshore recruitment teams, ensuring delivery against recruitment targets and operational requirements.
• Oversee the full end-to-end recruitment and onboarding lifecycle across permanent, temporary, high-volume, overseas, and TUPE recruitment activity.
• Play an integral role in TUPE mobilisations, leading the recruitment team through TUPE onboarding activity, managing all associated right to work checks and recruitment requirements.
• Develop and implement recruitment attraction strategies across multiple platforms and regions.
• Manage recruitment systems, onboarding platforms, and compliance tools.
• Build strong relationships with hiring managers and operational stakeholders to support workforce planning and recruitment delivery.
• Lead onboarding and compliance processes including Right to Work checks, vetting, audits, and employee record management.
• Monitor recruitment performance, vacancy pipelines, reporting, and operational recruitment activity to support business needs.
• Manage overseas recruitment activity, offshore teams, and onboarding processes.
• Lead recruitment meetings, escalations, stakeholder reviews, and operational updates.
• Provide leadership, training, and development to recruitment teams and hiring managers.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, right to work governance, GDPR, and company policies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance recruitment efficiency, onboarding processes, and candidate experience.

Qualifications and Skills

• Previous experience within a senior recruitment leadership role managing high-volume recruitment functions.
• Experience managing offshore and/or remote recruitment teams within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong knowledge of the full end-to-end recruitment and onboarding lifecycle.
• Knowledge of employment legislation, compliance and Right to Work requirements.
• Experience managing permanent, temporary and high volume recruitment campaigns.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across all levels of the business.
• Experience using recruitment systems and ATS platforms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Excel and recruitment reporting systems.
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-focused with a continuous improvement mindset.

Commitment to SBFM Values:

• Be a Good Person: We give people opportunities and embrace their inherent goodness. We are open minded and uphold integrity. We are respectful and considerate. We are kind and appreciative.
• Play as a Team: Community and communication is everything. We remain inclusive within our company and with our clients. Together, we grow, retain, execute, and make an impact. We are one team.
• Think Differently: We encourage a growth mindset; everything can be improved through effort. We love innovation and ideas. We are disruptors, and push boundaries for sustainable growth.
• Make an Impact: It’s all about the ultimate goal. We exceed expectations and deliver results at pace. We challenge the norm and step out of our comfort zone, because at our core, we are passionate and love to win.