Talent Acquisition Specialist Location: Northamptonshire Department: Human Resources Reporting to: Talent Acquisition Manager Salary: £43000 Duration: 6 month FTC, could lead to permanent About the Role We are looking for a proactive and experienced Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our HR team. In this role, you will be responsible for attracting, engaging, and hiring high-quality talent to support business growth. You will partner closely with hiring managers to understand workforce needs, develop effective recruitment strategies, and deliver an excellent candidate experience throughout the hiring lifecycle. This is an opportunity to contribute to innovative recruitment practices, support continuous improvement, and play a key role in building strong talent pipelines across the organisation. Key Responsibilities Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Manage end-to-end recruitment processes across your assigned business areas Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, candidate profiles, and hiring plans Act as a trusted advisor, providing market insight and talent intelligence Source, attract and engage candidates through a range of channels, including digital and social media Screen and assess candidates to ensure strong technical and cultural fit Manage interview processes, including coordinating and advising on best practice (e.g. behavioural interviewing) Lead offer management, including negotiation and closing candidates Build and maintain talent pipelines for current and future hiring needs Employer Branding & Attraction Support and deliver employer branding initiatives across job boards and social platforms Create engaging job adverts and recruitment campaigns in partnership with marketing Represent the organisation at external events, where required (e.g. universities, networking events) Stakeholder Management Build strong, credible relationships with hiring managers and internal stakeholders Provide regular updates and reporting on recruitment activity and performance Ensure a consistent and positive experience for both candidates and hiring teams Process Improvement & Technology Continuously review and improve recruitment processes and candidate experience Utilise ATS and recruitment technologies effectively (e.g. CRM systems, automation tools) Track and report on key recruitment metrics and hiring performance Ensure all recruitment activity complies with relevant employment legislation and company policies Onboarding & Support Support post-offer processes, including onboarding and new starter coordination Ensure a smooth transition from offer to onboarding for all new hires Mentoring & Leadership (Level III) Provide guidance, coaching and support to junior team members Share best practice and contribute to team development Support a culture of continuous improvement and innovation Skills & Experience Essential Proven experience in recruitment or talent acquisition (in-house or agency) Experience managing full recruitment lifecycle Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills Knowledge of sourcing techniques, including digital and social media Experience using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or CRM platforms Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple roles simultaneously Excellent communication and interviewing skills Good understanding of UK employment legislation and recruitment best practice Desirable Experience mentoring or supporting junior recruiters (Level III) Experience working in a fast-paced or high-volume environment Familiarity with recruitment marketing and employer branding Key Competencies Strong influencing and advisory skills Commercial awareness and understanding of the talent market Results-driven with a proactive approach Excellent time management and attention to detail Ability to work at pace and meet deadlines Confident using technology and recruitment tools Qualifications Degree-level education or equivalent experience Working Environment Office or hybrid working environment (depending on location)