Talent Acquisition Specialist

EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and artificial intelligence ("AI") company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect. 

We are headquartered in New York and have more than 60,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com.

Role Title: Talent Acquisition Specialist

Experience: 3-8 Years

BU/Segment: Enabling / Recruitment / HR

Location:   London, United Kingdom (Hybrid) 

Employment Type: Permanent

Summary of the role:

As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, you will play a key role in identifying, attracting, and hiring high-quality talent to support the organisation’s growth and success. You will work as part of a Talent Acquisition team recruiting for roles across the UK and Ireland.

Leveraging your recruitment expertise, you will manage and deliver end-to-end hiring processes, partnering closely with hiring managers and stakeholders. You will be responsible for developing effective sourcing strategies, assessing candidate suitability, and delivering a strong candidate experience.

Your ability to proactively build and maintain a high-quality talent pipeline will be critical in securing skilled, high-performing, and culturally aligned professionals.

Experience recruiting for technical roles, particularly within AI-focused, data and analytics environments, would be beneficial, along with exposure to domains such as insurance, banking and financial services and retail. 

As part of your duties, you will be responsible for:

Strategic Recruitment:

• Collaborate with hiring managers and department leaders to understand talent needs, job requirements, and team dynamics.
• Develop and execute recruitment strategies that align with organisational goals and market trends.
• Provide insights and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of recruitment efforts.

Candidate Sourcing:

• Utilise various sourcing methods, including job boards, social media, networking, referrals, and direct outreach, to identify and attract qualified candidates.
• Research and implement innovative sourcing techniques to tap into passive talent markets.
• Manage relationships with external recruitment agency partners and oversee the Preferred Supplier List (PSL).

Candidate Assessment:

• Review resumes, conduct initial phone screens, and evaluate candidates against job requirements.
• Assess candidates' cultural fit, technical skills, and motivation to join the organisation.

Diversity and Inclusion:

• Champion diversity and inclusion efforts within the recruitment process, ensuring a diverse candidate pool and reducing bias in selection.

Relationship Management:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with candidates to ensure a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.
• Serve as a point of contact for candidates, addressing inquiries and providing timely updates on their application status.
• Collaborate with external recruitment agencies to ensure alignment with company values, diversity initiatives, and candidate quality.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Partner with cross-functional teams across various geographies to align recruitment efforts with business objectives.
• Communicate effectively with hiring managers and stakeholders in different time zones, providing regular updates on candidate pipelines, challenges, and opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of job descriptions and interview processes that accurately reflect position requirements.

Market Insights:

• Stay current with industry trends, market intelligence, and best practices in talent acquisition.
• Share insights and data-driven recommendations with the team to enhance recruitment strategies.

Process Improvement:

• Identify areas for process improvement within the recruitment lifecycle and propose solutions to streamline and enhance efficiency.
• Implement best practices and tools to optimise the candidate experience and improve overall recruitment outcomes.

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Management:

• Utilise the ATS to manage the end-to-end recruitment process, including job posting, candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, and offer management.
• Ensure the ATS is up-to-date with accurate job descriptions, requirements, and company information.
• Optimise the ATS workflows and processes to enhance efficiency and candidate experience.
• Train and guide team members on effective ATS usage and best practices.

Weekly Reporting:

• Prepare and present weekly recruitment reports to provide insights into key recruitment metrics, progress, and challenges.
• Analyse data to track recruitment KPIs, including time-to-fill, source effectiveness, and diversity metrics.
• Identify trends and propose actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.

Onboarding:

• Collaborate with HR and hiring managers to ensure a seamless onboarding process for new hires.
• Coordinate pre-employment activities, such as background checks, reference checks, and necessary documentation.
• Facilitate the orientation process, ensuring new hires have the tools and information needed for a successful start.
• Collect feedback from new hires and hiring managers to refine the onboarding experience.

Partnership with HR:

• Work closely with HR to align recruitment efforts with the overall talent management and workforce planning strategies.
• Collaborate on projects related to employer branding, candidate experience, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Provide input on compensation and benefits considerations for new hires.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR and recruitment policies and procedures.

Qualifications and experience we consider to be essential for the role:

• 3–8 years of talent acquisition or recruitment consulting experience, with proven expertise in end-to-end recruitment, including sourcing and candidate evaluation.
• Proven ability to work closely with hiring managers to understand requirements, align on hiring strategy and ensure a smooth and efficient end-to-end hiring experience.
• Proven ability to manage multiple requisitions simultaneously across different geographies (e.g. UK and Ireland), maintaining pace, quality, and stakeholder alignment
• Experience in recruitment administration and reporting, including maintaining accurate records, generating reports and supporting data-driven hiring processes.
• Experience working closely with external agencies, supporting PSL management, and optimising supplier performance while driving reductions in agency spend and cost per hire (CPH)
• Strong calendar management skills, with the ability to efficiently schedule interviews and coordinate multiple interview stages across stakeholders and time zones.
• Proficiency in utilising diverse recruitment techniques, platforms, and AI tools.
• Strong command of applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruitment software.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong aptitude for data analysis, trend interpretation, and metric-driven recruitment strategies.
• Solid organisational abilities to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity in the hiring process.
• Excellent skills in candidate screening and interviewing.

Skills and Personal attributes we would like to have:

• Detail-Oriented: Attentiveness to detail when reviewing resumes, screening interviews, and managing candidate data.
• Cultural Awareness: Sensitivity to cultural differences and an ability to engage with a diverse pool of candidates.
• Resilience: Remaining resilient in the face of challenges and maintaining a positive attitude.
• Adaptability: Being open to change and adjusting recruitment strategies based on evolving business needs and market trends.
• Problem-Solving: A knack for identifying recruitment challenges and devising innovative solutions to overcome them.
• Collaborative: A team player who can effectively collaborate with HR, hiring managers and various stakeholders.
• Recruitment expertise: Successfully recruited for Technology, Engineering and Data Analytics.

As part of a leading global Data and AI company, you can look forward to:

• A competitive salary with a generous bonus, private healthcare, critical illness life assurance at 4 x your annual salary, income protection insurance, and a rewarding pension.
• EXL provides everyday financial well-being solutions, such as cash back cards, in which you can earn cashback while enjoying discounts, promotions, and offers from top retailers. We also offer a Cycle Scheme where you can save money on bikes and cycling accessories.
• At EXL, we are committed to providing our employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed and excel in their careers. We offer a wide range of professional and personal development opportunities. We also support a range of learning initiatives that allow our employees to build on their existing skills and knowledge. From online courses to seminars and workshops, our employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
• As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EXL is committed to diversity. Our company does not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, or disability status.
• EXL employees are eligible to purchase stock as part of our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• At EXL, we offer a flexible hybrid working model that allows employees to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle while strengthening our culture of collaboration.

To be considered for this role, you must already be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.