Head of Resourcing

University of Surrey; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

7 additional closure days

Bank holidays

Generous pension contribution (14% of)

Hybrid and flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle-to-work and car schemes

Nursery discounts

Campus retail and leisure discounts

Long-service recognition awards

Job summary

The University of Surrey is seeking a Head of Resourcing to shape talent acquisition across the institution. This is a strategic role within the HR Leadership Team, combining data-driven insight with people leadership to build a modern resourcing function.

You will work with senior leaders to define the resourcing strategy, lead executive campaigns, and develop workforce planning and analytics. The role focuses on strategy over day-to-day delivery and offers hybrid working with minimum two days

Qualifications

• Experience leading recruitment or talent acquisition functions.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and executive leaders.
• Experience in workforce planning and talent strategy.
• Proven skills in process improvement and service transformation.
• Strong focus on recruitment data, reporting and analytics.
• Expertise in employer branding and candidate attraction.
• Ability to drive innovation while maintaining excellent candidate experience.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing the University's resourcing strategy.
• Leading senior and executive-level recruitment campaigns.
• Driving continuous improvement across the end-to-end recruitment journey.
• Enhancing workforce planning and recruitment analytics.
• Exploring the ethical and effective use of AI within recruitment.
• Strengthening hiring capability amongst managers and leaders.
• Building a more proactive, insight-led approach to attracting talent.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Workforce planning

Recruitment analytics

Employer branding

Process improvement

Candidate experience

AI in recruitment

Job description

Job Description

Head of Resourcing Hybrid Working (Minimum 2 Days On Site)

The University of Surrey is entering an exciting new phase of growth and is seeking an experienced, strategic and forward-thinking Head of Resourcing to shape the future of talent acquisition across the institution. Following a period of renewed financial stability, the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor and an ambitious growth agenda, the University is rebuilding its resourcing capability to ensure it can continue attracting exceptional talent across both academic and professional services functions.

This is not a traditional recruitment management role. This is an opportunity to join the HR Leadership Team and lead the evolution of a modern, data-driven and strategically aligned resourcing function within one of the UK's leading universities.

The Opportunity

Working closely with senior leaders, Executive Board members and the HR Director, you will take ownership of the University's resourcing strategy and play a pivotal role in supporting organisational growth. You'll have the autonomy to influence how talent acquisition is delivered, improve recruitment processes, develop workforce planning capability and build talent pipelines that support long-term business objectives. Whilst managing a small and established resourcing team, your focus will be firmly on strategic leadership rather than day-to-day recruitment delivery.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Developing and implementing the University's resourcing strategy
• Leading senior and executive-level recruitment campaigns
• Driving continuous improvement across the end-to-end recruitment journey
• Enhancing workforce planning and recruitment analytics
• Exploring the ethical and effective use of AI within recruitment
• Strengthening hiring capability amongst managers and leaders
• Building a more proactive, insight-led approach to attracting talent

About You

We're looking for an experienced resourcing or talent acquisition leader who enjoys operating at both strategic and operational levels. You will likely bring experience of:

• Leading recruitment or talent acquisition functions
• Influencing senior stakeholders and executive leaders
• Workforce planning and talent strategy
• Process improvement and service transformation
• Recruitment data, reporting and analytics
• Employer branding and candidate attraction
• Driving innovation whilst maintaining excellent candidate experience

Experience gained within Higher Education, the NHS, Local Government or similarly complex organisations would be advantageous, although strong candidates from the private sector are also encouraged to apply. Most importantly, you'll bring the credibility, curiosity and leadership required to shape the future direction of resourcing within a large, values-driven organisation.

Why Join Surrey?

The University of Surrey offers a genuinely supportive and collaborative culture alongside an excellent benefits package, including:

• 25 days annual leave
• 7 additional closure days
• Bank holidays
• Generous pension contribution (14% employer contribution)
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle-to-work and car schemes
• Nursery discounts
• Campus retail and leisure discounts
• Long-service recognition awards