Recruitment Partner

SES Water Limited; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Pension

Healthcare

Professional development

Employee discounts

Generous annual leave

Job summary

South West Water is seeking a confident Recruitment Partner to join our team on a nine month fixed‑term contract in Exeter (Hybrid). You’ll deliver end‑to‑end recruitment across diverse vacancies, partnering with hiring managers to attract and secure top talent and to build strong pipelines.

You’ll use LinkedIn, ATS and data insights to optimise campaigns, guide stakeholders and ensure a smooth candidate experience in a fast-paced, matrix organisation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering end-to-end recruitment across multiple vacancies and stakeholder groups.
• Strong direct sourcing capability using LinkedIn and other search methodologies.
• Experience partnering and influencing hiring managers to achieve successful recruitment outcomes.
• Experience using Applicant Tracking Systems and recruitment technology.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
• Experience using recruitment data and insights to support decision making.

Responsibilities

• Delivering end-to-end recruitment across a diverse range of vacancies and business functions.
• Partnering with hiring managers to understand business needs and develop effective attraction and selection strategies.
• Managing recruitment campaigns through our Applicant Tracking System, ensuring a seamless process from requisition to offer.
• Directly sourcing talent through LinkedIn, talent databases and proactive market engagement techniques.
• Building and maintaining talent pipelines to support future hiring requirements.
• Providing expert guidance to hiring managers throughout the recruitment process.
• Using market insight and recruitment expertise to influence hiring decisions and improve outcomes.
• Monitoring recruitment activity, analysing data and ensuring vacancies progress effectively.
• Delivering an excellent candidate experience through effective communication and engagement.
• Supporting the ongoing adoption of recruitment technology, automation and best practice processes.
• Working collaboratively with People Partners, HR colleagues and business leaders across South West Water.

Skills

End-to-end recruitment

Direct sourcing

Stakeholder management

ATS & recruitment tech

Data-driven decisions

Fast-paced environment

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Recruitment Partner - 9 month fixed term contract

Salary: £43,000 - £45,000 per annum plus excellent benefits

Location: Exeter (Hybrid)

Help shape the future workforce of one of the South West's leading organisations

At South West Water, we're looking for a confident and commercially minded Recruitment Partner to join our recruitment team and play a key role in attracting exceptional talent across our business.

You'll deliver a high-quality, end-to-end recruitment service, partnering with hiring managers to identify, attract and secure the talent needed to drive our business forward. You'll manage a varied portfolio of vacancies, provide expert recruitment advice and utilise modern sourcing techniques to build strong talent pipelines.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced recruiter who enjoys working at pace, influencing stakeholders and delivering successful hiring outcomes. The role is offered on a nine month fixed-term contract.

What you'll be doing

• Delivering end-to-end recruitment across a diverse range of vacancies and business functions.
• Partnering with hiring managers to understand business needs and develop effective attraction and selection strategies.
• Managing recruitment campaigns through our Applicant Tracking System, ensuring a seamless process from requisition to offer.
• Directly sourcing talent through LinkedIn, talent databases and proactive market engagement techniques.
• Building and maintaining talent pipelines to support future hiring requirements.
• Providing expert guidance to hiring managers throughout the recruitment process.
• Using market insight and recruitment expertise to influence hiring decisions and improve outcomes.
• Monitoring recruitment activity, analysing data and ensuring vacancies progress effectively.
• Delivering an excellent candidate experience through effective communication and engagement.
• Supporting the ongoing adoption of recruitment technology, automation and best practice processes.
• Working collaboratively with People Partners, HR colleagues and business leaders across South West Water.

What we're looking for

We're looking for a recruiter who can build credibility quickly, manage multiple priorities and confidently partner with stakeholders across a complex organisation.

Essential

• Proven experience delivering end-to-end recruitment across multiple vacancies and stakeholder groups.
• Strong direct sourcing capability using LinkedIn and other search methodologies.
• Experience partnering and influencing hiring managers to achieve successful recruitment outcomes.
• Experience using Applicant Tracking Systems and recruitment technology.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
• Experience using recruitment data and insights to support decision making.

Desirable

• Recruitment experience within utilities, infrastructure, engineering or operational environments.
• Experience working within a large, complex matrix organisation.
• Knowledge of talent pooling, market mapping and proactive sourcing strategies.

Why join us?

This role offers the opportunity to be part of a high-performing recruitment team that is focused on delivering exceptional service, embracing innovation and attracting the talent that will help shape the future of South West Water.

If you're an experienced recruiter who thrives on building relationships, sourcing great talent and influencing hiring decisions, we'd love to hear from you.

At South West Water, we believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Recruitment Partner you'll enjoy:

• Competitive Salary – Based on experience and skills
• Bonus Scheme – Rewarding your performance
• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
• Healthcare Benefits – Access to employee assistance programs
• Professional Development – Support for career growth with training opportunities
• Employee Discounts – On various products and services
• Generous Annual Leave – Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement

Closing Date: 16th September 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Important: The successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the on-boarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.