Head of Global Executive Search & Talent Scouting

Lonza; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading life sciences company in Manchester is seeking a Head of Global Executive Search & Talent Scouting. This strategic role involves leading the internal talent scouting function and coordinating executive recruitment. Candidates should have extensive experience in executive search and talent management, along with strong analytical skills. The position offers an opportunity to shape talent strategies that align with business needs and promote diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Global Executive Search teams.
• Hands-on approach in a complex global environment.
• Capable of driving transparency and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead Executive Search roles and improve talent processes.
• Develop and track performance metrics for recruitment.
• Champion diversity by attracting diverse talent.

Skills

Collaborative management

Analytical skills

Leadership development

Talent scouting

Diversity and inclusion

Education

Bachelor or MSc in HR, business, or related field

Job description

Overview

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

The role: We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our team as Head of Global Executive Search & Talent Scouting. In this pivotal role, reporting to the Head of Talent and Organizational Development, you will lead an internal proactive talent scouting function focused on identifying, engaging, and securing exceptional internal and external candidates for senior-level roles across our global organization. You will be responsible for ensuring that executive recruitment and scouting processes are robust, transparent, and well-governed—seamlessly integrated across all channels, including external search partners, internal talent pipelines, and RPO services.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely with senior HR and business leaders, acting as a trusted talent partner. You will play a critical role in aligning executive hiring with internal succession planning and long-term workforce strategies, ensuring our talent acquisition efforts support the future needs of the business. Travel to Basel on a frequent basis will be required!

Key responsibilities

• Lead by example in Executive Search roles, continually reviewing and improving the Talent Scout programme to drive ongoing improvement within the company.
• Develop, maintain reports, monitor activities, track important metrics, measure spending, offer insights for improvement.
• Work closely with matrix peers and leaders of the Talent Acquisition Sourcing Team to build a cohesive, aligned strategy for executive search and talent scouting.
• Shape and align talent strategies across functions, promoting a coordinated approach to leadership development, succession planning, and organisational growth.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by identifying and attracting diverse talent to Lonza.
• Support enterprise-wide talent initiatives by coordinating and enabling talent assessments and strategic talent mapping.
• Drive market mapping and competitor talent intelligence efforts to inform hiring strategies and secure top-tier talent in critical capability areas.
• Set guidelines for executive search partners and talent scouts to follow Lonza's processes and laws.
• Coordinate the integration and use of assessment tools in the executive search process to objectively evaluate candidates’ cognitive abilities, personality traits, and leadership potential.
• Demonstrate a measurable reduction in reliance on external search firms over time by increasing internal team successes, showcasing annual executive hires, search firm cost avoidance, and a year-over-year decline in external search firm usage.

Key requirements

• Bachelor or MSc or equivalent experience in HR, business, or a related scientific degree.
• Hands-on approach and previous experience in leading, building, or directing the internal Global Executive Search team.
• Excellent collaborator management and the ability to drive inclusively and transparently within a fast-paced and complex global matrix environment.
• Strong analytical skills with a focus on data reporting and interpretation, with the ability to craft and implement reporting tools and dashboards.
• International experience in executive search and talent scouting is essential for this role.
• Previous experience building in-house executive search capabilities by crafting and implementing a global executive search and talent scouting practice passionate about high-quality delivery.
• Experience using assessment tools in the executive search process to objectively evaluate candidates’ cognitive abilities, personality traits, and leadership potential is highly desirable.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.