Associate Director, People & Talent

Kernel Global; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Kernel Global, a leader in HR recruitment, is seeking a senior recruiter to drive business growth and mentor junior team members. This role involves leading recruitment assignments and building relationships with senior HR stakeholders, contributing to a high-performance and values-driven culture. Competitive salary and personal development opportunities available.

Benefits

Competitive salary & commission structure

Private healthcare and wellness support

Team social events and nights out

Personalized training from in-house teams

Flexible working arrangements available

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR recruitment focused on People & Talent roles.
• Strong track record in business development.
• A consultative approach with a commercial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead senior-level recruitment assignments across HR functions.
• Drive business development by targeting new client opportunities.
• Mentor junior consultants and nurture a high-performing team culture.

Skills

Business Development

Client Relationship Management

HR Landscape Understanding

Mentorship

Leadership

Consultative Approach

Job description

About Catalyst Partners

Catalyst Partners are global change-makers on a mission to change the HR recruitment industry by building incredible teams within the People and Talent functions that drive ambitious businesses.

People are key to our business. Our expert teams work across multiple specialisms and understand the unique nuances of their industries to provide talent that will improve structures, systems, and skills.

When you join Catalyst Partners, you’ll join a team leading an HR recruitment revolution. You'll have the opportunity to work with a network of innovative global companies and the most ambitious talent who are fans, not customers.

We have bespoke learning and development programmes, rapid career progression, and a values-led culture to drive your success.

So what makes us different?

We deliver pace without compromise, striding ahead of our competitors to lead the HR recruitment industry. We operate at the pace of a contingent process with the rigour of a retained search—a bold claim, but we’ve found the sweet spot.

About the Role

This is a senior opportunity for a commercially minded recruiter with deep expertise in the People & Talent space. You’ll play a key role in driving revenue growth through new business acquisition, expanding existing client relationships, and delivering high-quality recruitment solutions.

You’ll work closely with the leadership team to shape the direction of the practice, while also mentoring junior consultants and contributing to a high-performance, values-led culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on senior-level recruitment assignments across People & Talent functions
• Drive business development by identifying, targeting, and converting new client opportunities
• Build and nurture long-term relationships with senior HR stakeholders across multiple sectors
• Act as a market expert—providing insight, thought leadership, and strategic advice to clients and candidates
• Support the leadership team in developing and executing the team’s growth strategy
• Mentor and support junior consultants, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team culture
• Represent Catalyst at industry events and contribute to our brand presence

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in HR recruitment, ideally with a focus on People & Talent roles
• A strong track record in business development and client relationship management
• Deep understanding of the HR landscape and current trends in People & Talent functions
• A 360 recruiter with a commercial mindset and a consultative approach
• A natural leader with experience mentoring or supporting junior team members
• A values-driven, people-centric approach to your work
• Adaptability and ambition to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment

What You’ll Get

• A high-performance environment where we take our work seriously but not ourselves
• Personalised training from our in-house Performance & Development team
• Competitive salary & commission structure up to 50%
• Incentives such as lunch clubs, afternoon tea and trips abroad
• Private healthcare, wellness and mental health support including access to free counselling services
• Friends in the office, regular team nights out and socials

With global group offices in London, New York and Charlotte, we can also offer international secondment and relocation opportunities to the right individuals.

Our Culture

Our standard office work schedule comprises five days a week, reflecting our commitment to collaboration and in-person interactions. However, we also offer flexible arrangements, allowing employees the option to work four days in the office to support our colleagues in achieving a healthy work-life balance while ensuring continued productivity and engagement.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At Catalyst Partners, we know that high achievers come from all walks of life. Diversity is important to us and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all of our candidates.