At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead recruitment for mission-critical roles in a dynamic AI company.
- Company: Join Sovereign AI, a leader in AI infrastructure and software solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of AI.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy and direct exposure to leadership in a fast-growing environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building teams that drive innovative technology programmes.
- Qualifications: Experience in talent acquisition, especially in technical or regulated sectors.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
About Sovereign AI
Sovereign AI is a UK-based AI infrastructure and software solutions provider building the next generation of sovereign-grade AI data centres across EMEA. Designed for resilience, security, and scale, we enable commercial and government customers to deploy advanced AI with confidence in environments where performance, reliability, and compliance are non-negotiable. Focused on regulated and mission-critical sectors including Government, Defence, Healthcare, and Financial Services, we are creating the trusted foundations for AI adoption at scale, combining robust infrastructure with disciplined governance to support long-term innovation and national-level capability.
This Role
As Talent Acquisition Partner, you will own end-to-end recruitment for a defined set of business areas, working as a trusted advisor to hiring managers rather than an order-taker. Much of what you hire for is mission-critical and often security-cleared, so you will bring the rigour our government, defence, and critical infrastructure clients expect alongside genuine pace. You will report to the Talent Acquisition Lead and have real ownership over how you source, assess, and land talent for your roles. This is a chance to shape how Sovereign AI builds the teams delivering sovereign technology programmes, with direct exposure to hiring managers, leadership, and the wider People & Talent function. We are in a genuine growth phase, and every hire you make now directly shapes the capability we take into new programmes and new markets. You will build talent pipelines and hiring processes that scale as we do, giving you the kind of ownership and long-term impact that's hard to find once a function is already established.
Key Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end recruitment for your business areas, from role briefing through to offer and onboarding handover.
- Partner with hiring managers as a trusted advisor, challenging role requirements and shaping sourcing strategy based on the market.
- Build and maintain proactive talent pipelines for hard-to-fill and security-cleared roles across engineering, data, and technical delivery.
- Write clear, compelling job adverts and role profiles that reflect our tone and attract the right calibre of candidate.
- Lead direct sourcing through LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean search, and passive candidate outreach, reducing reliance on agency spend.
- Screen, interview, and present shortlists matched against role requirements and clearance eligibility where applicable.
- Coordinate the security clearance and vetting process with candidates and internal stakeholders, keeping timelines visible.
- Own the candidate experience end-to-end, ensuring timely communication and a professional, well-run offer process.
- Keep the ATS accurate and current, giving hiring managers and leadership real pipeline visibility.
Experience
- Experience in an in-house or agency talent acquisition role, ideally covering technical or specialist hiring.
- A track record of managing full-cycle recruitment from briefing through to offer.
- Experience recruiting into regulated, government, defence, or critical infrastructure environments is a strong advantage.
- Familiarity with UK security clearance processes (BPSS, SC, DV) desirable, or a genuine willingness to learn.
- A track record of direct sourcing and building pipelines for niche or hard-to-fill roles.
- Comfortable using an ATS and building structured, data-led recruitment reporting.
Skills
- Strong stakeholder management — able to build credibility with hiring managers and challenge them constructively.
- Skilled direct sourcer across LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean search, and other channels.
- Clear, sharp written communication, particularly in job adverts and candidate messaging.
- Highly organised, able to manage multiple live requisitions with competing timelines.
- Discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive candidate and clearance-related information.
- Comfortable operating with autonomy while working to defined process and compliance standards.
Talent Acquisition Partner employer: Sovereign AI
Sovereign AI is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets infrastructure. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to engage in meaningful projects that shape the future of AI technology across critical sectors. The company fosters a collaborative culture, providing unique opportunities to work with senior stakeholders and partners, ensuring that every employee plays a vital role in driving national-level capabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Talent Acquisition Partner
✨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 Sovereign AI, 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 Sovereign AI!
✨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 Partner
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 Sovereign AI 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 Partner at Sovereign AI, 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 Sovereign AI
✨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 Sovereign AI 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!
