Talent Acquisition Lead

Talent Acquisition Lead - Core Services, Business Functions & Inclusive Hiring Programmes

Location: London - 3 days a week

Rate: £390 a day via umbrella company

Duration: 12 months

Clearence: BPSS

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Talent Acquisition Lead to take ownership of recruitment delivery, team leadership, inclusive hiring initiatives, and talent acquisition operations across the UK.

This is a highly visible role that sits at the centre of attracting, hiring, and supporting talent. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping recruitment strategies, driving operational excellence, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and advancing inclusive hiring practices.

The role combines leadership responsibility, programme management, and operational oversight, providing an opportunity to influence both recruitment outcomes and the overall candidate experience.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition Leadership & Delivery

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Talent Acquisition professionals.
Drive consistency, quality, and best practice across end-to-end recruitment delivery.
Partner with business leaders, HR teams, and key stakeholders to support workforce planning and hiring priorities.
Monitor recruitment performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Support the team in managing complex and business-critical recruitment campaigns.
Foster a collaborative, high-performing recruitment culture focused on service excellence.

Inclusive Hiring Programmes

Lead and manage a portfolio of inclusive hiring and talent attraction programmes.
Develop and implement strategies to engage underrepresented and diverse talent communities.
Build strong relationships with external partners, community organisations, educational institutions, and professional networks.
Identify innovative approaches to broaden talent pipelines and improve access to opportunities.
Measure, track, and report on programme performance, outcomes, and areas for improvement.
Promote inclusive recruitment practices across the organisation.

Talent Acquisition Operations, Governance & Systems

Act as a key point of contact for recruitment-related processes, systems, governance, and operational matters.
Manage and resolve escalated recruitment issues, ensuring compliance with policies and best practices.
Support the testing, implementation, and adoption of recruitment system enhancements and process improvements.
Ensure adherence to recruitment governance, compliance requirements, and ethical hiring standards.
Collaborate with internal teams to improve operational effectiveness and candidate experience.Skills & Experience

Essential

Proven experience within Talent Acquisition, Recruitment, or Talent Management.
Previous experience leading or supporting Talent Acquisition teams and initiatives.
Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrable programme, project, or recruitment campaign management experience.
Strong problem-solving abilities and experience managing escalations effectively.
Excellent organisational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and creating accessible hiring practices.

Desirable

Experience delivering inclusive hiring, return-to-work, community outreach, or diversity recruitment programmes.
Knowledge of recruitment systems, governance frameworks, and recruitment operations.
Experience supporting recruitment transformation, process improvement, or system implementation projects.
Understanding of recruitment compliance, employment legislation, and ethical hiring standards.

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