Talent Acquisition Officer

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Delivering a professional, compliant, and candidate-focused recruitment and selection service throughout the organisation in accordance with our institution’s values is the responsibility of the talent acquisition officer.

• We value the student experience and student support

• We promote inclusivity, diversity and equity

• We work with innovation

• We behave with respect

• We expect integrity-led professional behaviour

• We foster environmental sustainability and social responsibility

The role facilitates the recruitment, evaluation, and appointment of high-quality academic and professional services personnel in accordance with higher education regulatory expectations, equality and diversity principles, and best-practice recruitment standards.

The postholder will ensure that recruitment processes are fair, transparent, timely, and evidence-based, thereby promoting organisational growth, student experience, and academic quality outcomes.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruitment Delivery

• Manage comprehensive recruitment campaigns for academic, professional, and operational roles.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to create role briefs, job descriptions, individual specifications, and selection criteria.
• Inform managers about effective recruitment strategies, advertising channels, and assessment methods.
• Coordinate and monitor recruitment timelines and service level requirements.
• Ensure that all vacancies are approved and in line with workforce planning requirements.

Candidate Attraction & Employer Branding

• Create high-quality, inclusive and compliant job adverts that maximise reach and candidate engagement.
• Ensure vacancies are effectively promoted across relevant HE, professional and niche platforms.
• Support employer brand development to improve candidate attraction and market positioning.
• Help build sustainable talent pipelines through proactive sourcing and market mapping.
• Support outreach programmes that advance EDI and broadening participation goals.

Selection & Assessment

• Support shortlisting processes to ensure objective, criteria-based decisions.
• Guide managers on structured interviews and fair assessment methods.
• Prepare interview packs, scoring matrices, and selection documentation.
• Participate in interviews where required.
• Ensure consistent candidate assessment records are maintained for audit and compliance purposes.

Regulatory, Compliance & Pre-Employment Checks

• Conduct and verify pre-employment checks including Right to work, Qualification verification, Employment references and Background screening (where applicable)
• Maintain accurate recruitment records for audit, inspection and assurance reviews
• Support compliance requirements related to sponsored workers where applicable.
• Ensure recruitment practices support institutional quality, governance, and regulatory requirements and expectations.
• Support fair access and equality of opportunity in recruitment processes.
• Contribute recruitment data and metrics for institutional reporting and assurance submissions.

Recruitment Systems & Data

• Use the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and HR systems to manage recruitment workflows.
• Maintain accurate recruitment data and reporting dashboards.
• Produce recruitment metrics including Time to hire, Source effectiveness, Diversity indicators and Offer acceptance rates
• Support continuous improvement through recruitment analytics.

Candidate Experience

• Deliver a professional and positive candidate journey.
• Ensure timely communication with candidates at all stages.
• Manage interview logistics and candidate coordination.
• Respond to candidate queries professionally and promptly.

Stakeholder Support

• Provide recruitment advice and guidance to hiring managers.
• Deliver recruitment process briefings and training to managers where required.
• Work collaboratively with HR and payroll colleagues to ensure a smooth onboarding transition.

Onboarding

• Ensure offer letters and employment contracts are issued in a timely manner.
• Monitor receipt of signed offer acceptance letter, employment contract and new starter documentation, following up when required.
• Input accurate onboarding information onto HRIS from employee new starter form
• Collaborate with the Learning & Development Advisor, HR Manager and Head of HR to ensure smooth handover for companywide induction training and departmental training
• Co-ordinate monthly new starter list ready for induction training

Policy & Process Improvement

• Contribute to recruitment policy and procedure development.
• Identify opportunities to improve recruitment efficiency and quality.
• Support EDI-focused recruitment initiatives and inclusive selection practices.
• Participate in HR projects related to workforce planning and talent strategy.

You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager commensurate with the nature and level of the post