Head of Resourcing

University of Surrey; Knaphill; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Hybrid work

Pension

Employee support

Job summary

The University of Surrey seeks a Head of Resourcing to shape the future of talent acquisition across the institution. You will lead a small team, focusing on strategic leadership, workforce planning, and analytics while shaping recruitment practices across academic and professional services functions.

You will work with senior leaders to influence resourcing strategy, improve processes, and build proactive talent pipelines to support long-term objectives within a large, values-driven university.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading resourcing or talent acquisition functions.
• Ability to influence senior executives and stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in workforce planning, analytics and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the University's resourcing strategy.
• Lead senior and executive-level recruitment campaigns.
• Drive end-to-end recruitment journey improvements and analytics.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Workforce planning

Recruitment analytics

Employer branding

AI in recruitment

Change management

Job description

Head of Resourcing

Date: 2026-09-20T00:00:00

Location: Woking, Surrey, GB, GU21 6

Application Deadline: 2026-10-20T00:35:25.647

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