Talent Acquisition Specialist

Talent Acquisition SpecialistLocation: NorthamptonshireDepartment: Human ResourcesReporting to: Talent Acquisition ManagerSalary: £43000Duration: 6 month FTC, could lead to permanentAbout the RoleWe 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 ResponsibilitiesRecruitment & Talent AcquisitionManage end-to-end recruitment processes across your assigned business areasPartner with hiring managers to define role requirements, candidate profiles, and hiring plansAct as a trusted advisor, providing market insight and talent intelligenceSource, attract and engage candidates through a range of channels, including digital and social mediaScreen and assess candidates to ensure strong technical and cultural fitManage interview processes, including coordinating and advising on best practice (e.g. behavioural interviewing)Lead offer management, including negotiation and closing candidatesBuild and maintain talent pipelines for current and future hiring needsEmployer Branding & AttractionSupport and deliver employer branding initiatives across job boards and social platformsCreate engaging job adverts and recruitment campaigns in partnership with marketingRepresent the organisation at external events, where required (e.g. universities, networking events)Stakeholder ManagementBuild strong, credible relationships with hiring managers and internal stakeholdersProvide regular updates and reporting on recruitment activity and performanceEnsure a consistent and positive experience for both candidates and hiring teamsProcess Improvement & TechnologyContinuously review and improve recruitment processes and candidate experienceUtilise ATS and recruitment technologies effectively (e.g. CRM systems, automation tools)Track and report on key recruitment metrics and hiring performanceEnsure all recruitment activity complies with relevant employment legislation and company policiesOnboarding & SupportSupport post-offer processes, including onboarding and new starter coordinationEnsure a smooth transition from offer to onboarding for all new hiresMentoring & Leadership (Level III)Provide guidance, coaching and support to junior team membersShare best practice and contribute to team developmentSupport a culture of continuous improvement and innovationSkills & ExperienceEssentialProven experience in recruitment or talent acquisition (in-house or agency)Experience managing full recruitment lifecycleStrong stakeholder management and relationship-building skillsKnowledge of sourcing techniques, including digital and social mediaExperience using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) or CRM platformsStrong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple roles simultaneouslyExcellent communication and interviewing skillsGood understanding of UK employment legislation and recruitment best practiceDesirableExperience mentoring or supporting junior recruiters (Level III)Experience working in a fast-paced or high-volume environmentFamiliarity with recruitment marketing and employer brandingKey CompetenciesStrong influencing and advisory skillsCommercial awareness and understanding of the talent marketResults-driven with a proactive approachExcellent time management and attention to detailAbility to work at pace and meet deadlinesConfident using technology and recruitment toolsQualificationsDegree-level education or equivalent experienceWorking EnvironmentOffice or hybrid working environment (depending on location)…