Recruitment Manager

South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT) is an ambitious multi-academy trust committed to providing high-quality education and creating opportunities for children and young people to thrive. Our schools share a commitment to excellence, inclusion and collaboration, supported by dedicated professionals who make a positive difference every day.

We recognise that great schools are built by great people. We value innovation, professional development and teamwork, and are committed to attracting and retaining talented individuals who share our ambition for the communities we serve.

Recruitment Manager

Great people make great schools. Help us find them.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and proactive Recruitment Manager to lead and develop recruitment activity across our Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity for a recruitment professional who enjoys combining hands-on recruitment delivery with strategic thinking, creativity and continuous improvement.

Working closely with the Director of People and Operations and school leaders, you will take ownership of the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring our schools attract, recruit and welcome exceptional people.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and coordinating recruitment campaigns across the Trust, from vacancy planning and advertising through to appointment and onboarding.
• Developing creative and effective approaches to candidate attraction, advertising and employer branding.
• Working collaboratively with school leaders and hiring managers to understand recruitment needs and deliver timely, high-quality solutions.
• Managing candidate communications, application processes, interview arrangements and selection activities.
• Ensuring recruitment processes are efficient, inclusive, professional and compliant with safer recruitment and safeguarding requirements.
• Leading and supporting the HR Administrator to deliver an excellent recruitment service.
• Identifying opportunities to improve recruitment systems, processes and candidate experience.
• Building relationships and exploring new approaches to attract talented professionals to our schools.

This role offers the opportunity to shape recruitment practices across SEEAT, introduce fresh ideas and make a meaningful contribution to the success of our schools.

We are looking for a confident, organised and solutions-focused recruitment professional who brings enthusiasm, initiative and a genuine passion for working with people.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience of managing end-to-end recruitment processes and delivering successful recruitment campaigns.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple vacancies, competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including confidence in working with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Experience of developing engaging recruitment advertising and effective candidate attraction strategies.
• Confidence in using recruitment platforms, digital systems and technology to support recruitment activities.
• A commitment to providing a positive and professional experience for candidates and hiring managers.
• The ability to support colleagues, improve processes and contribute ideas that strengthen recruitment outcomes.
• An understanding of fair recruitment practices, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A proactive, adaptable and collaborative approach, with the confidence to take ownership and drive improvements.

Experience of recruitment within education would be advantageous, but is not essential. We welcome applications from experienced recruitment professionals across other sectors who can bring new perspectives, creativity and expertise.

Above all, we are looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, takes pride in delivering an excellent service and wants to make a real difference.

• Location: The Deanes, Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 2TD
• Contract: Fixed-term until 31 December 2027
• Working hours: 30 hours per week
• Working pattern: Part-time, 41 weeks per year (term time plus three weeks)
• Start date: January 2027
• Interview date: 1 December 2026

South East Essex Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Online searches may be undertaken for shortlisted candidates in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

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