Overview
Talent Acquisition Specialist (6-month fixed term contract)
Application Deadline: 22 March 2026
Department: Corporate Services
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: Milton Keynes
Reporting To: Senior HR Business Partner
Description
A little bit about us:
We’re building a railway that provides easy journeys, bringing people and places together.
East West Railway Company was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail, from construction through to wheels in motion.
East West Rail is a nationally significant railway project which aims to deliver much-needed transport connections for the vibrant communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. As one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, the government committed to delivering EWR in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review, as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
We’re creating a future that unlocks sustainable economic growth, connects communities, and transforms how people travel across the UK. Every role here contributes to something bigger, a project that will leave a lasting legacy. Every member of Team EWR has shared purpose that brings people together and makes a real difference.
Function:
Our People team look after everything that makes the employee experience feel great. We handle the whole journey - from finding brilliant new people and getting them on board, to keeping everyone informed, connected and developing. We’re also the safe pair of hands behind the scenes, keeping our people data in good shape and making sure we’re doing things the right way when it comes to employment standards. We create a positive, inclusive environment that makes East West Rail a great place to work.
About the role:
As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, you’ll work as part of our People Team during an exciting period of growth and change. You’ll play a crucial role in shaping our sourcing strategy, partnering closely with hiring managers, and providing an exceptional candidate experience. This is an end-to-end recruitment role recruiting for both technical and non-technical roles across seniorities, with a focus on building strong talent pipelines, delivering a plan to keep things moving, as a trusted partner advisor in a fast-paced environment.
This is a 6-month fixed term contract.
Key Responsibilities
What you’ll be doing:
* Be instrumental in developing a sourcing and recruitment strategy for a high volume of newly created roles across East West Rail.
* Be a trusted partner to hiring managers - providing market research, challenge recommendations and guidance.
* Shape and refine innovative direct sourcing strategies using market intelligence, talent mapping, and proactive outreach to build strong pipelines.
* Work closely with hiring managers to define role requirements, recruitment commitments and timelines, and assessment approaches that align with business needs.
* Deliver a seamless end-to-end recruitment process: briefing, advertising, shortlisting, screening, assessment, stakeholder management, offer process, through to onboarding handover.
* Use market knowledge to inform decision-making, influence hiring outcomes, and anticipate shifts in talent availability.
* Ensure recruitment activity reflects a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion with inclusive sourcing and assessment approaches.
* Track recruitment process, provide clear reporting, and data led insights, and flag any risks early.
* Provide an exceptional level of candidate experience, bring our Employee Value Proposition to life across all touchpoints.
* Collaborate with the People Team and the wider organisation to make sure hiring aligns with broader capability and people priorities.
* Ensure recruitment activities are cost effective and aligned with our values.
* Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
What you’ll bring:
* Demonstrated ability to design and execute proactive direct sourcing strategies using a variety of talent attraction channels.
* Exceptional relationship building skills with evidence of being a trusted advisor to line managers.
* Experience in recruiting at scale in a fast-paced environment.
* Ability to shape sourcing strategies aligned with capability needs, diversity goals, and workforce planning priorities.
* Strong market awareness, understanding trends, competitor activity, and the market with the ability to translate this into actionable recruitment plans.
* Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
* Skilled at managing expectations, navigating ambiguity, and providing clear and calm guidance.
* Commitment to delivering an exceptional candidate experience at each stage of the process.
* Demonstrated ability to embed inclusive hiring processes, mitigate bias, and support diversity outcomes.
* Confident user of applicant tracking systems (ATS), with strong attention to data accuracy.
* Confident in using data, analytics, and reporting to track progress, identify risks and inform hiring decisions.
Benefits
What’s in it for you?
Our people make the difference. Working at EWR, you’ll be part of a team that’s collaborative, supportive, and passionate about what we do. Our culture is built on inclusion, trust, and flexibility. We prioritise wellbeing so you can thrive personally and professionally. Here, your voice matters, and you’ll feel truly connected and empowered.
As part of Team EWR, you’ll gain unique breadth, influence, and development that shapes your career. It\'s a chance to do your best work and make a meaningful impact.
Our hybrid working approach is all about finding the right balance - supporting productivity and flexibility.
Our benefits package is designed to support you through every life stage helping you to be your best, plan for the future, and keep you growing.
* Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
* Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
* 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
* 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
* Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
* Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
* Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
* Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
* Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
* Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Diversity and Inclusion
At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.
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