Head of Talent Attraction

Head of Talent Attraction

Hybrid (minimum 3 days on campus)

Are you ready to shape the future of talent at one of the UK’s leading universities?

The University of Manchester is making a significant investment in establishing a new Talent Attraction Centre of Expertise within the Directorate of People. This is a pivotal moment—and we’re recruiting a cluster of transformative roles to lead this change. As Head of Talent Attraction, you’ll be at the heart of this exciting evolution.

Reporting to the Director of Talent Attraction, you’ll lead the operational delivery of talent attraction and play a key role in shaping how we attract academic talent into our faculties. You’ll co lead on senior appointments, including University Executive and Professional Services Leadership Team roles, and help embed a modern, inclusive, and data driven approach to recruitment.

This is more than a leadership role it’s a chance to build something new. You’ll help design and operationalise our talent attraction strategy, ensuring it aligns with institutional goals, values, and our commitment to diversity. You’ll foster excellence and innovation in recruitment practices, delivering a seamless and debiased experience for candidates, hiring managers, and stakeholders.

Why Join Us?

This role is part of a newly formed cluster following significant investment in our Talent Attraction function. You’ll be joining a team committed to service excellence, agility, and inclusion working together to attract and retain the best talent in academia and professional services.

At Manchester, we’re building a future focused, people centred recruitment experience. If you’re ready to lead change and make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you. And of course the package and our rewards and benefits are sector leading.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the day to day operations of the Talent Attraction function.
• Co develop and implement faculty focused talent acquisition strategies.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to deliver tailored recruitment solutions.
• Champion inclusive recruitment and monitor diversity metrics.
• Enhance our employer brand through targeted outreach and global engagement.
• Use data and insights to inform strategy and report on recruitment performance.
• Co lead senior recruitment campaigns across the University Executive and faculties.

What We’re Looking For

• A strategic and forward thinking talent professional with deep expertise in inclusive recruitment.
• Proven experience in leading academic or faculty recruitment in HE or similarly complex environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• A collaborative leader who can inspire teams and drive performance excellence.
• Passionate about social inclusion and embedding it throughout the recruitment lifecycle.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

Notional Interview date/s 20th and 21st November

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Maeve Halmark

Email: maeve.halmark@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.