Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, EMEA

Cushman & Wakefield; Madrid; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is looking for a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, EMEA, to shape the hiring strategy across the region. You will lead a small team of Talent Acquisition Advisors and partner with senior stakeholders to deliver high-caliber hires in a fast-paced, multinational environment.

The role emphasizes direct sourcing and headhunting, passive talent engagement, and building robust pipelines. You will balance strategic vision with hands-on execution, ensuring an exceptional candidate

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading Talent Acquisition teams.
• Track record in headhunting and direct sourcing for senior roles.
• Ability to engage passive talent in competitive markets.
• Experience partnering with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor TA Advisors to deliver end-to-end hiring.
• Own recruitment delivery for key functions across EMEA.
• Set KPIs and drive process improvements.
• Develop market intelligence and talent pipelines.
• Champion candidate experience aligned with Cushman & Wakefield brand.

Skills

TA leadership

Head hunting

Direct sourcing

Stakeholder mgmt

Data-driven

English fluency

Job description

Job Title

Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, EMEA

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a high-impact Senior Talent Acquisition Manager to drive hiring strategy across the EMEA. This role is pivotal in shaping the talent agenda, leading a small team of Talent Acquisition Advisors, and delivering exceptional hiring outcomes across a diverse, fast-paced business.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in the the real estate industry and direct sourcing and headhunting, with the ability to identify, engage, and secure high-calibre talent in competitive markets. You will act as both a strategic partner to the business and a hands-on recruitment expert, setting the standard for proactive talent acquisition.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Delivery

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Talent Acquisition Advisors, fostering a high-performance, delivery-focused culture
• Own end-to-end recruitment delivery for key functions across the Netherlands, ensuring quality, speed, and stakeholder satisfaction
• Set clear performance standards, KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives for the TA function

Strategic Talent Acquisition

• Partner with senior stakeholders to understand workforce needs and translate them into effective hiring strategies
• Provide market intelligence, talent insights, and hiring recommendations to influence business decisions
• Drive workforce planning initiatives and anticipate future talent needs

Direct Sourcing & Headhunting (Critical Focus)

• Personally lead complex and senior-level searches, utilising advanced headhunting techniques
• Proactively map target companies and talent pools to identify and engage passive candidates
• Build and maintain strong pipelines of high-quality, hard-to-find talent
• Leverage a range of sourcing tools, networks, and strategies (including LinkedIn, market mapping, referrals, and industry engagement)
• Act as a role model within the team for consultative, insight-led headhunting

Stakeholder & Candidate Experience

• Build trusted relationships with hiring managers and leadership teams
• Advise stakeholders on hiring strategy, candidate assessment, and market positioning
• Ensure a best-in-class candidate experience that reflects the Cushman & Wakefield brand

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Optimise recruitment processes, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and scalability
• Champion data-driven recruitment, using metrics to enhance performance and outcomes
• Contribute to employer branding initiatives aligned with the local market

Key Requirements

• Proven experience in Talent Acquisition leadership, ideally within a professional services, real estate, or commercial environment
• Demonstrable success in headhunting and direct sourcing, particularly for complex or niche roles
• Strong ability to identify and engage passive talent in competitive markets
• Experience managing and developing recruitment teams
• Strategic mindset with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills
• Data-driven approach with experience using recruitment metrics and insights
• Fluent in English (Dutch proficiency beneficial but not essential depending on scope)

What Sets You Apart

• You are a true headhunter curious, persistent, and highly skilled at uncovering hidden talent
• You thrive in a hands-on leadership role, balancing delivery with strategy
• You bring commercial acumen and understand how hiring impacts business performance
• You are passionate about building teams and elevating recruitment standards

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global real estate services firm, delivering exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. With a strong presence in the Netherlands, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent to support our continued growth and success.

Cushman & Wakefield is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic. Cushman & Wakefield is committed to equity in employment, and our goal is to have a diverse, inclusive and barrier-free workplace. If you are a person with a disability and need any other accessible accommodations during the hiring process, you are invited to bring this to the Talent Acquisition Advisor’s attention once they have made contact.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”