Principal Recruitment Consultant

The Advocate Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education consultancy in Manchester is hiring a Principal Recruitment Consultant to take ownership of client relationships, manage the recruitment lifecycle, and drive new business in a thriving environment. The ideal candidate will significantly influence their market and contribute to the branch's growth while enjoying a highly competitive commission structure and numerous perks. This role offers a clear pathway to management for those interested in leadership opportunities.

Benefits

Highly competitive commission structure

Big Biller Bonus

Clear progression framework

Extra holidays for school governors

Online Doctor Service & Employee Assistance Programme

Life Insurance and Income Protection

Corporate wellness initiatives

Dog-friendly offices

Major annual events and team socials

Qualifications

• Proven recruitment experience in education or related sectors.
• Autonomy to grow client relationships.
• Desire for high earnings and career progression.

Responsibilities

• Build and develop long-term partnerships with schools.
• Drive new business through strategic development.
• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle end to end.
• Identify growth opportunities in your market.
• Deliver quality experiences for clients and candidates.
• Contribute to the branch's continued expansion.

Skills

Building partnerships

Strategic business development

Managing recruitment lifecycle

Market mapping

Client and candidate experience

Job description

Principal Recruitment Consultant

Principal Recruitment Consultant | Milk Education | Manchester

You’re already a proven recruiter. What you’re looking for now is the right platform.

At Milk Education, we’re looking for an experienced Principal Recruitment Consultant who values autonomy, influence over their desk, and the backing of a high-growth, purpose-driven business. This is an opportunity to apply your recruitment expertise within education recruitment, or transition into the sector with strong support, while operating in an environment built for high performance.

If you’re commercially driven, relationship-led, and motivated by long-term growth and earning potential, this role offers the platform to deliver both.

Why Milk Education?

Milk Education is an independently owned education consultancy with ambitious national growth plans. In just 3.5 years, we’ve grown from 4 offices to 9, including recent launches in Nottingham and London City Centre.

We operate with a modern, high-trust culture that gives senior consultants the freedom to run their desk like a business, supported by industry-leading technology, strong leadership, and a genuinely values-led environment. We’re also proud founders of the Make Life Kind Foundation, ensuring the work we do has impact beyond revenue.

With over 120 staff already on the journey, this is a business built to scale and to reward those who help drive that growth.

The Role: Principal Recruitment Consultant

As a Principal Recruitment Consultant, you’ll operate in a full 360 capacity, owning and developing relationships across Primary, Secondary or SEND education. You’ll have the autonomy to shape your market, grow your client base, and drive revenue, while contributing to the wider growth of the Manchester branch.

This role is ideal for a senior consultant who enjoys billing at a high level and wants a clear, transparent route to Management (should leadership be part of your longer-term plan).

Key responsibilities of a Principal Recruitment Consultant include :

• Building and developing long-term partnerships with schools
• Driving new business through strategic, value-led business development
• Managing the full recruitment lifecycle end to end
• Market mapping and identifying growth opportunities
• Delivering a high-quality experience for both clients and candidates
• Playing a key role in the continued expansion of the branch

What’s in it for you?

• Highly competitive commission structure (10% - 20% of all weekly GP)
• Big Biller Bonus (£5k a year bonus for £200k+ billers)
• Clear progression framework from day one (defined pathway)
• 23 days holiday + 8 bank holidays + Xmas eve, Birthday and Charity days
• Extra holidays available for school governors
• Market-leading recruitment tech.
• Empowerment Days: work from home twice a month (increasing to three)
• Online Doctor Service & Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Insurance, Critical Illness & Income Protection
• Personal and professional development tailored to senior consultants
• Free mortgage consultation, eye tests & will-writing service
• Wellness Wednesdays (extended lunch)
• Early Finish Fridays and in-house bar to celebrate the end of the week to
• Dog-friendly offices
• Major annual company events and regular team socials

Ready to take ownership of your next move?

If you’re a Principal Recruitment Consultant who wants more control, more reward, and a business you can genuinely buy into, Milk Education offers a platform where your experience is valued and your impact is visible.

Let’s grow together