ABOUT CATS GLOBAL SCHOOLS
CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers. With a history dating back to 1899, but a focus on the future, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts school, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, Canada and China. Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real-life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well-developed links to over 40 top global universities. We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to make a contribution to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.
ROLE OVERVIEW
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Group Talent Manager to lead and shape our recruitment and talent strategies. This role will oversee the end-to-end talent lifecycle, leveraging data-driven insights and the latest recruitment tools to optimise hiring, workforce planning, and talent development. Working closely alongside the HR leadership team, the postholder will ensure alignment between talent strategy, people priorities and organisational objectives.
The role will provide leadership and direction to the Group talent function, with responsibility for developing and managing a high-performing recruitment team and embedding consistent, best-practice approaches across the organisation. The Group Talent Manager will act as a trusted partner to senior leaders and key stakeholders, influencing workforce decisions, advising on market trends, and supporting strategic planning at group and board level.
Previous experience within the education sector is desirable.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Recruitment and Talent Acquisition:
Lead the design and execution of end-to-end recruitment strategies across all business units.
Utilize modern recruitment technologies and AI tools to enhance candidate sourcing, assessment, and engagement.
Build and maintain proactive talent pipelines and succession plans for key roles.
Conduct data-driven talent reviews regularly to inform hiring decisions and workforce planning.
Manage relationships with recruitment suppliers and vendors, ensuring quality service, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with organizational needs.
2. Talent Management and Workforce Planning:
Collaborate with business leaders and HRBPs to assess workforce needs and develop comprehensive, data backed workforce plans.
Support/lead succession planning, talent review exercise.
Drive initiatives to improve candidates experience.
3. Compliance and Process Management:
Ensure recruitment and talent management processes comply with employment law, UKVI, safeguarding policies and other group policies, and best practices.
Implement and monitor robust safer recruitment practices across the group.
Lead on updates following changes in safeguarding and compliance legislation.
Manage the UKVI Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and ensure full regulatory compliance.
Continuously improve recruitment and talent management processes using data-driven insights and AI-enabled solutions.
Management for recruitment budget of the group.
4. Employer Branding and Market Intelligence:
Work with marketing team to strengthen the employer brand to attract top talent.
Gather, analyse, and interpret market intelligence and talent data to inform recruitment strategies, compensation benchmarking, and talent planning.
Monitor talent trends, competitor practices, and emerging workforce challenges to guide strategic decisions.
5. Communication and Stakeholder Management:
Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, providing insight and influence in talent-related decisions.
Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on talent strategies and goals.
We reserve the right to close the advert before the stated closing date, we therefore encourage early applications.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
Proven experience (8+ years) in recruitment, talent acquisition and workforce planning
Prior experience within education or a regulated environment is desirable
Strong knowledge of latest recruitment technologies, data analytics, and digital sourcing strategies.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive strategic talent initiatives.
Solid understanding of compliance, employment law, and best practices in talent acquisition and management.
Experience managing budgets, talent pipelines, succession plans, and data-informed talent review processes.
Experience in team management, be able to inspire an in-house talent team to maximize their potential
BENEFITS
Cycle to work Scheme
Tech Scheme
Car Scheme
Free flu vaccine through Healthshield
Free eye tests
Financial wellbeing support via WageStream
Employee Assistance Programme
Group income protection
GP24: GP Access for all
Health Cash Plan
Death in Service
Long service awards
Employee referral scheme
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values Pioneering, Persevering, People We pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools and employer of choice for all.
SAFEGUARDING
CGS is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of children and young people. As such, appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. This will include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS from the Disclosures and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent being obtained. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks which may include social media.
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