Head of Recruitment & Onboarding Salary: £70,000 10% Performance Bonus Location: Remote, within travelling distance of Leeds (regular UK travel required) About Us AtHorizon Care & Education, our purpose is simple: we change young lives for the better. We provide high-quality care, education, and support to children and young people across the UK — and our people make that possible. As we continue to grow, we are looking for an exceptional Head of Recruitment & Onboarding to lead our frontline recruitment strategy and ensure we attract, hire, and onboard the right talent at pace, scale, and quality. The Opportunity This is a pivotal leadership role within our People team. You will drive the strategy and delivery of high-volume recruitment across frontline care, education, and support roles, ensuring we meet ambitious growth and revenue targets in a competitive market — without compromising on quality or compliance. Leading a dedicated team of recruiters and onboarding specialists, you will be accountable for delivering a seamless, efficient, and candidate-focused journey from application through to start date. Your impact will directly enable sustainable growth and ensure we continue to provide outstanding support to children and young people in our care. Key Responsibilities Strategic Recruitment Leadership Develop and deliver strategic recruitment plans aligned to operational demand and growth targets Lead, coach, and inspire a high-performing recruitment and onboarding team Partner closely with Operational Managers to forecast workforce needs and tailor recruitment strategies Reduce reliance on third-party agencies through direct sourcing and internal recruitment initiatives Onboarding & Process Excellence Lead and streamline onboarding processes to reduce time-to-hire Ensure candidates move efficiently from application to compliant start Embed continuous improvement across systems, processes, and reporting Own and optimise the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and screening platforms Candidate & Employee Engagement Develop workforce engagement strategies, including bank and overtime utilisation Design retention initiatives to improve colleague satisfaction and reduce attrition Create a positive, candidate-centric experience that strengthens our employer reputation Compliance & Quality Assurance Ensure full compliance with safer recruitment practices and regulatory standards Oversee enhanced DBS and reference processes Maintain robust recruitment systems that are consistently applied across the organisation Employer Branding & Recruitment Marketing Position Horizon as an employer of choice in the care and education sector Develop innovative recruitment campaigns across digital and offline channels Represent the organisation at recruitment events across the UK Reporting, Analytics & Budget Management Deliver monthly MI reports with clear, actionable insights Track KPIs including time-to-hire, vacancy fill rate, and workforce utilisation Manage the recruitment budget to ensure cost-effective delivery Align recruitment performance with commercial and operational objectives About You You are a strategic leader who thrives in high-volume environments and understands the urgency and complexity of frontline recruitment within care or education settings. You will bring: Essential Experience & Skills Significant leadership experience in high-volume recruitment Experience within care, education, or similarly regulated sectors Proven track record of improving onboarding processes and reducing time-to-hire Strong understanding of compliance and safer recruitment requirements Data-driven decision-making capability with advanced reporting skills Experience with ATS, HRIS, and screening systems Demonstrable success in recruitment marketing and employer branding Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills Budget management experience Desirable CIPD, REC, or equivalent professional qualification Our Commitment All young people are equally entitled to have their needs met in a fair and balanced way. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and expect all colleagues to actively challenge discrimination in any form. Horizon Care & Educationis committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. Why Join Us? £70,000 salary plus 10% performance-related bonus Remote working within travelling distance of Leeds A senior leadership role with real organisational impact The opportunity to shape and modernise recruitment strategy at scale A mission-driven organisation where your work directly supports children and young people A collaborative People & Culture function committed to continuous improvement If you are a commercially minded recruitment leader who can deliver pace, quality, and innovation in a challenging market — we would love to hear from you. Apply today and help us build the teams that change young lives. Closing date 6th March