Senior Talent Acquisition Leader: Strategy & High-Impact Hiring

National Physical Laboratory; Teddington; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking a senior Talent Acquisition leader to shape and drive the recruitment strategy across the organisation. You’ll lead a high-performance TA team, partner with senior stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor on hiring priorities and processes.

You’ll champion inclusion, monitor recruitment metrics, and implement best practices across the lifecycle while balancing quality, cost, and speed in a dynamic science environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive people management experience including coaching, performance management and developing high‑performing recruitment teams.
• Experience delivering business unit recruitment strategies balancing quality, cost and timescales in fast‑paced environments.
• Budget management with data‑driven insights and ROI reporting.
• Experience designing and delivering assessment methodologies, including assessment centres and selection exercises.
• Implementing SLAs and KPIs for a recruitment team to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills at all levels.
• Strong IT capability with ATS, HR systems and recruitment technologies.
• Seasoned networking across TA and HR to stay abreast of market trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Talent Acquisition team to achieve exceptional results.
• Shape and deliver NPL’s talent strategy alongside senior stakeholders.
• Provide trusted advice to hiring managers and senior leaders.
• Champion diversity and inclusion across recruitment.
• Monitor metrics and implement best practices across the recruitment lifecycle.

Skills

People management

Recruitment strategy

Stakeholder management

Data-driven recruiting

Assessment design

SLA / KPI design

ATS / HRIS systems

Market insights

Diversity & inclusion

Tools

ATS

HRIS

Job description

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking a senior Talent Acquisition leader to shape and drive the recruitment strategy across the organisation. You’ll lead a high-performance TA team, partner with senior stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor on hiring priorities and processes.

You’ll champion inclusion, monitor recruitment metrics, and implement best practices across the lifecycle while balancing quality, cost, and speed in a dynamic science environment.