Role Purpose The Talent Acquisition Officer is responsible for delivering a professional, compliant, and candidate-focused recruitment and selection service across the institution. The role supports the attraction, assessment, and appointment of high-quality academic and professional services staff in line with higher education regulatory expectations, equality and diversity principles, and best-practice recruitment standards. The postholder will ensure recruitment processes are fair, transparent, timely, and evidence-based, supporting organisational growth, student experience, and academic quality outcomes. Key Responsibilities Recruitment Delivery Manage end-to-end recruitment campaigns for academic, professional, and operational roles. Partner with hiring managers to develop role briefs, job descriptions, person specifications, and selection criteria. Advise managers on appropriate recruitment strategies, advertising channels, and assessment methods. Coordinate and monitor recruitment timelines and service level standards. Ensure all vacancies are authorised and aligned with workforce planning requirements Candidate Attraction & Employer Branding Draft engaging, inclusive, and compliant job adverts. Promote vacancies through appropriate higher education, professional, and specialist platforms. Support employer branding initiatives to strengthen candidate attraction. Contribute to talent pipeline development and proactive sourcing approaches. Support outreach initiatives aligned with widening participation and EDI objectives. 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. Compliance & Pre-Employment Checks Conduct and verify pre-employment checks including Right to work, Qualification verification, Employment references and Background screening (where applicable) Ensure recruitment processes meet legal and regulatory requirements. Maintain accurate recruitment records for audit and inspection purposes. Support compliance requirements related to sponsored workers where applicable. Higher Education & Regulatory Alignment Ensure recruitment practices support institutional quality, governance, and regulatory expectations. Maintain recruitment documentation suitable for audit, inspection, and assurance reviews. 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 colleagues on onboarding transitions. Liaise with payroll, compliance, and onboarding teams to ensure smooth hires. 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. Person Specification Qualifications Essential CIPD Level 3 Educated to degree level (HRM) or equivalent experience Desirable CIPD Level 5 Knowledge & Experience Essential At least 2 years’ experience of in-house recruitment or talent acquisition. Experience supporting recruitment campaigns end-to-end. Knowledge of fair and inclusive recruitment practices. Understanding of employment law basics relating to recruitment. Experience using recruitment or ATS systems. Experience working with multiple stakeholders and hiring managers. Knowledge of sponsorship/right-to-work compliance requirements. Experience producing recruitment metrics and reports. Desirable At least 5 years’ experience of in-house recruitment or talent acquisition. Experience recruiting within higher education or regulated sectors. Experience recruiting academic or specialist roles. Exposure to EDI recruitment frameworks. Skills & Competencies Strong stakeholder engagement skills Excellent written and verbal communication Structured and process-driven approach High attention to detail and compliance awareness Ability to manage multiple recruitment campaigns simultaneously Good data handling and reporting capability Professional judgement and discretion Candidate-focused service mindset Values & Behaviours Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion Integrity and confidentiality Fair and evidence-based decision-making Continuous improvement mindset Collaborative working style