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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead talent acquisition and management strategies to attract and develop top talent.
- Company: Join the University of Warwick, a world-leading research university with a bold and collaborative spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible working, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on social inclusion while shaping the future of talent at a prestigious institution.
- Qualifications: Seeking strategic thinkers with experience in inclusive talent programmes and a passion for development.
- Other info: Applications close on 17th August 2025; apply via our official careers webpage.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About The Role
For informal enquiries, please contact Mike Hudman (Director of Talent and Development) Mike.Hudman@warwick.ac.uk
The Head of Talent is responsible for shaping and delivering the University\’s talent acquisition and talent management strategies. As the subject matter expert in these areas, they lead the development of strategies, processes, policies, and procedures to support effective talent practices. They also identify and nurture talent pools to ensure the University attracts, develops, and retains the right people to meet its current and future needs.
Team/function Overview
The Talent team sits within the Talent and Development Centre of Excellence which brings together expertise in talent acquisition, talent strategy and management, and learning and development. The team serves as the subject matter expert for all aspects of talent and employee development. They work collaboratively across the wider People Services function to support the delivery of strategic goals, ensuring alignment with the University of Warwick’s overarching strategy and long-term growth ambitions.
About You
You’re a strategic and forward-thinking talent professional with a strong track record of leading modern, inclusive approaches to both talent acquisition and talent development. You have experience designing and delivering impactful talent programmes and initiatives that help individuals and organisations thrive.
You combine deep expertise in attracting and developing high-quality, diverse talent with a clear understanding of how to align talent strategies with wider organisational goals. You’re passionate about social inclusion and embed this into every stage of the talent lifecycle from recruitment through to progression and retention.
You’re an engaging and credible leader who can build strong relationships across a complex organisation. You collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders, influence with confidence, and are unafraid to challenge established thinking in pursuit of better outcomes.
Ideally, you will bring an understanding of the higher education context. If not, you will be open and committed to developing expertise in academic probation, promotion and career framework management to support the needs of academic colleagues and pathways.
You’ll thrive in a collaborative environment and bring a data-informed, values-led approach to building talent pipelines and strengthening Warwick’s ability to attract, develop, and retain the people it needs now and into the future.
For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.
About The Department
For information about the People Team, click here.
About The University
Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We’re one of the world’s top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK*, with 92% of our research assessed to be ‘world leading or internationally excellent’**.
You\’ll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. Here at Warwick, we offer you opportunities to follow your ambitions as long as you bring the energy and determination to succeed.
- QS World University Rankings 2024
- Research Excellence Framework 2021
To find out more about us visit our website.
How to Apply
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 17th August 2025 at 23:55 (BST)
To apply, please click ‘Apply’ below and submit an application form by the closing date.
Please plan for any potential delays as you will not be able to submit an application form past this deadline (even if you opened the form at, say, 23:30).
You will have to attach a CV and a cover letter.
- Your CV should include your employment history (including your most recent employment), your education history, and any other relevant experience.
- Your cover letter should explain your motivations for applying to the role. It should also explain, using examples, how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the Job Description PDF document below. Please note that all essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.
Please see here for guidance on writing a cover letter. We highly recommend using individual criteria as headers and explaining below, using examples, how you meet the criterion, though you are free to format the letter as you wish.
To streamline our hiring processes, we can only accept applications submitted via our official careers webpage, warwick-careers.tal.net.
- Interview Date: Week Commencing 25th August and or Week Commencing 1st September
- Desired Start Date: 1st September 2025
What we Offer
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 30 days holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information click here.
We are proud to say that we are a Living Wage employer.
If you are considering relocating to the UK, read our Relocation Guide to find out more about what Warwick has to offer and what might be involved in the process.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Warwick is committedto building an organisation ofmutual respectanddignity, promoting awelcoming, diverse, and inclusive workingand learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to berecognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpageshere.
The University currently holds aRace Equality Charter Bronze Award,Athena Swan Sliver Awardand aDisability Smart Bronze Award.Further information on all of the University\’s Awards and Accreditations can be found here. The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of theEUTOPIA European University Alliance.
Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.
In line with the DBS Code of Practice, the successful candidates for any roles involving regulated activity, will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level. The University will take all necessary measures to ensure that any individual subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group specified (i.e. children and/or adults).
We expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders
The University undertakes not to discriminate against anyone who makes a disclosure relating to a conviction. The information disclosed at application stage is only visible to the central DBS team (i.e. not recruiting managers) to ensure there is no bias during the shortlisting process.
Job Description
JD Head of Talent (110492).pdf – 221KB Opens in a new window
Right to Work in the UK
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Head of Talent (110492-0625) employer: University of Warwick
Contact Detail:
University of Warwick Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Talent (110492-0625)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the University of Warwick's strategic goals and values. Understanding their mission will help you align your experience and vision with what they are looking for in a Head of Talent.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in the Talent team or related departments. Engaging in conversations can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully implemented talent acquisition and management strategies in previous roles. Highlighting measurable outcomes will demonstrate your effectiveness as a leader.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to social inclusion by preparing examples of how you've embedded diversity and inclusion into talent practices. This aligns with the university's values and will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Talent (110492-0625)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Talent position. Review the job description carefully and note the key skills and experiences they are looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Your CV should highlight your relevant experience in talent acquisition and management. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead inclusive talent strategies and develop impactful programmes. Use clear headings and bullet points for easy readability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your motivations for applying and how your background aligns with the role. Use specific examples to illustrate how you meet both the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description. Consider using individual criteria as headers to structure your responses.
Proofread and Format: Before submitting your application, proofread both your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ensure that the formatting is consistent and professional. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Warwick
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Head of Talent role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially around talent acquisition and management strategies. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare Examples of Your Work
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead talent programmes and initiatives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, showcasing your impact on previous organisations.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
Since the role involves working with various stakeholders, prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight instances where you influenced decision-making or challenged established thinking to achieve better outcomes.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Given the university's focus on social inclusion, be prepared to talk about how you have embedded inclusive practices in your previous roles. Share your thoughts on diversity in talent acquisition and how you plan to promote it within the university's talent lifecycle.
