At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build our hiring function from scratch, driving recruitment across the company.
- Company: Join White Circle, an innovative AI Safety company with a focus on impactful solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy meaningful equity, paid time off, and all the tools you need to succeed.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for international hiring and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI safety while shaping our hiring processes and culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in startup hiring, building processes, and sourcing top talent.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
We’re looking for a hands-on Talent Lead to own and build our hiring function from scratch. You’ll personally drive hiring across the company, build scalable recruiting processes, track hiring performance, and work closely with the Head of People and hiring managers across GTM, Ops, Research, and Product.
About us
White Circle is an AI Safety company building the safety, reliability, and optimization layer for AI systems. At the core of our platform are policies – simple natural-language rules that define what an AI model should and shouldn’t do. We automatically test, enforce, and continuously improve these policies at scale.
You will:
- Own and run the hiring process end-to-end (sourcing, screening, interviews, and closing)
- Personally source and hire candidates across the company (this is a hands-on recruiting role)
- Build our hiring processes and infrastructure from scratch, including interview loops, scorecards, pipelines, and candidate tracking
- Work closely with hiring managers to define roles, hiring priorities, and candidate profiles
- Drive hiring across a wide range of functions, including GTM, Ops, Research, Product, and Engineering
- Lead international hiring across the US, EU, UK, and other markets as we expand
- Build and maintain hiring metrics and reporting, including pipeline conversion, time to hire, source performance, and offer acceptance
- Use hiring data to identify bottlenecks and continuously improve the recruiting process
- Build and maintain strong sourcing channels across different functions and geographies
- Develop a strong candidate experience and represent White Circle throughout the hiring process
- Help define and improve our approach to hiring, including how we assess candidates and make hiring decisions
- Partner with leadership on long-term talent planning and hiring strategy
You’ll fit right in if you:
- Have several years of experience running hiring at a startup, ideally in an early-stage or high-growth environment
- Have personally hired a meaningful number of people and are comfortable owning the full recruiting process yourself
- Have built hiring processes and recruiting operations from scratch
- Have experience hiring across multiple functions, including GTM, Operations, Research, Product, and Engineering
- Have experience with international hiring across multiple countries and markets
- Are comfortable working directly with leadership and senior hiring managers
- Are highly data-driven and comfortable tracking and analysing recruiting metrics
- Are an excellent sourcer and know how to find strong candidates beyond simply posting jobs
- Communicate clearly and build strong relationships with both candidates and hiring managers
- Are comfortable operating independently in an environment where processes are still being built
- Speak and write fluent English (C1+)
A big plus:
- Experience hiring for AI, ML, and Research roles
- Experience building a recruiting function as the first or one of the first talent hires
- Experience hiring in the US, EU, and UK
- Experience with employer branding and building a strong talent pipeline
- Experience using AI tools to improve sourcing, screening, research, or recruiting ops
Why White Circle
- Meaningful equity package
- Paid time off in line with your local regulations, no matter where you work from
- All the hardware, tools, and services you need
- Covered subscriptions for AI agents
- Team off-sites twice a year: we’ve recently been to the Alps, Saint-Tropez, and Mabella
How we hire
- Introductory call with Head of People (25 min)
- Practical Recruitment Exercise with Head of People (60 min)
- Final conversation with our CEO (45 min)
Please submit your application in English.
Talent Lead employer: White Circle
At White Circle, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of AI safety. Our team enjoys comprehensive benefits, including paid time off, medical insurance for our France-based employees, and the opportunity to work in vibrant locations like Paris or London, with relocation support available. We are committed to employee growth, providing access to cutting-edge tools and resources, as well as unique team-building experiences that enhance both professional development and camaraderie.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Talent Lead
✨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 White Circle, 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 White Circle!
✨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 Lead
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 White Circle 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 Lead at White Circle, 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 White Circle
✨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 White Circle 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!