Principal Recruitment Consultant

Meritus; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commission

Company trips

Team-building events

Career progression

Training & development

Leadership opportunities

Meritus culture & growth

Job summary

Meritus is seeking a Senior or Principal Recruitment Consultant to lead our Defence & National Security recruitment expansion in the UK. You will own and develop key accounts, build senior stakeholder relationships, and drive growth across Defence Technology, Engineering and related fields.

Hybrid/remote working options are available alongside a competitive base salary (£40,000–£45,000) and commission. The role offers autonomy, an entrepreneurial environment and the chance to shape Meritus'

Qualifications

• Proven track record of strong delivery and personal billings.
• Existing relationships within the UK Defence Technology market.
• Experience recruiting across technical, engineering or specialist Defence environments.
• A strong track record of account development and business development.
• The commercial drive to grow existing relationships and win new clients.
• An entrepreneurial or founding mentality.
• The ambition to take ownership and help build something bigger than an individual desk.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow key Defence & National Security accounts.
• Build and develop long-term relationships with senior stakeholders across the Defence Technology ecosystem.
• Identify and win new business opportunities.
• Deliver high-quality recruitment across specialist Defence, Engineering and Technology markets.
• Build a strong candidate network across the UK Defence sector.
• Take ownership of your market and develop a clear strategy for growth.
• Work closely with the wider Meritus team to expand our Defence offering.
• Represent Meritus with clients, candidates and industry stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the wider business.

Job description

SENIOR / PRINCIPAL RECRUITMENT CONSULTANT - 360 RECRUITMENT - DEFENCE & NATIONAL SECURITY - £40,000 / £45,000 + COMMISSION - HYBRID / REMOTE - UK

Defence | National Security | Technology | Engineering

Meritus are recruiting for a Senior / Principal Recruitment Consultant to join our expanding team and take a leading role in the growth of our UK Defence & National Security offering.

We're looking for an experienced recruiter with a proven track record across Defence Technology, who wants the opportunity to build, develop and take ownership of a growing area of the Meritus business.

At Meritus, our mission is simple yet ambitious: to be the leading global supplier of elite professionals across the Aerospace, Defence, and Space industries.

We partner with some of the UK's leading Defence, Technology and Engineering organisations, supporting critical programmes across the UK and internationally.

We're now looking for an experienced recruiter to help us grow our UK Defence & National Security business.

Why Join Meritus?

Build Something Significant

This isn't about inheriting a desk and managing an established market.

We already have multiple Defence & National Security accounts, strong client relationships and significant opportunities for growth.

We're looking for someone with a founding mentality who wants to take those foundations and build something significant.

Ownership & Autonomy

You'll have genuine ownership of your market, with the freedom to develop existing accounts, win new business and shape our Defence recruitment offering.

Your success will be measured not only by individual performance, but by the growth and development of the market you build.

Established Platform, Entrepreneurial Mindset

You'll have the support, infrastructure and existing relationships of an established recruitment business, combined with the opportunity to operate with the autonomy and commercial mindset of building your own business.

What You'll Do

• Lead and grow key Defence & National Security accounts.
• Build and develop long-term relationships with senior stakeholders across the Defence Technology ecosystem.
• Identify and win new business opportunities.
• Deliver high-quality recruitment across specialist Defence, Engineering and Technology markets.
• Build a strong candidate network across the UK Defence sector.
• Take ownership of your market and develop a clear strategy for growth.
• Work closely with the wider Meritus team to expand our Defence offering.
• Represent Meritus with clients, candidates and industry stakeholders.
• Contribute to the continued growth and development of the wider business.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced Senior or Principal Recruitment Consultant with a strong track record within Defence / National Security recruitment.

You’ll ideally have:

• A proven track record of strong delivery and personal billings.
• Existing relationships within the UK Defence Technology market.
• Experience recruiting across technical, engineering or specialist Defence environments.
• A strong track record of account development and business development.
• The commercial drive to grow existing relationships and win new clients.
• An entrepreneurial or founding mentality.
• The ambition to take ownership and help build something bigger than an individual desk.
• Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who wants to grow with the business and play a genuine role in shaping the future of Meritus' Defence offering.

What We Offer

Culture of Excellence & Reward

• Industry-leading commission structure and competitive base salary.
• Company and team high-achiever trips.
• Monthly and quarterly team-building events.
• Clear, self-directed progression pathways.
• Tailored training and development.
• Genuine opportunity to progress into leadership as the business grows.

Annual Rewards & Benefits

• Annual company AGM with fully expensed afterparty.
• Fully expensed Christmas party and additional paid leave over Christmas.
• Up to £1,500 employee referral bonus.
• £1,000 per year in discounts and savings toward everyday expenditure.

Wellbeing Focused

Access to a qualified professional health & wellbeing service.

Boosted annual leave, including all bank holidays.

Your birthday off - on us.

Flexible hybrid and remote working options.