Strategic Education Recruitment Lead

THE WHITE HORSE FEDERATION; Swindon; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Eye care voucher

CPD Programme

Pension/Leave enhancements

Job summary

The White Horse Federation is seeking a Recruitment Lead to oversee end-to-end recruitment across 30 schools and Central Office, guiding Recruitment Officers and ensuring a compliant, efficient hiring process.

You will drive attraction strategies, manage the ATS, and report to Senior Leaders to support workforce planning. This role demands proactive stakeholder management in a multi-site trust and offers progression through CPD and benefits.

Qualifications

• Has organisational skills and an ability to multi-task successfully.
• Competent in Microsoft Office, Outlook and Teams.
• Can communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Recruitment Officers, providing day-to-day guidance, support, coaching and performance management.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment activity across all schools and Central Office functions, ensuring vacancies are filled efficiently and in line with safer recruitment requirements.
• Manage and continuously improve the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), ensuring recruitment data is accurate, compliant and up to date.
• Monitor recruitment metrics and performance, producing regular reports and insights for Senior Leaders to support workforce planning and recruitment strategies.
• Develop and implement attraction strategies to increase candidate quality, diversity and application volumes across a wide range of roles.
• Build strong relationships with Headteachers, School Leaders and hiring managers, providing expert recruitment advice and guidance throughout the recruitment process.
• Oversee all advertising activity, ensuring vacancies are effectively promoted through appropriate job boards, social media channels and recruitment campaigns.
• Ensure compliance with statutory guidance, employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and safer recruitment practices.
• Manage recruitment administration processes, including offer documentation, onboarding and pre-employment checks, ensuring an excellent candidate experience.
• Lead recruitment projects and initiatives aimed at improving recruitment efficiency, candidate engagement and employer branding.
• Work closely with HR and Operations colleagues to support organisational workforce planning and staffing requirements.
• Manage recruitment-related inboxes and enquiries, ensuring prompt and professional responses to schools, candidates and stakeholders.
• Support and develop Recruitment Officers through training, mentoring and regular performance reviews.
• Ensure recruitment records and documentation are maintained accurately and in accordance with GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities in recruitment activity and make recommendations to improve attraction, retention and recruitment outcomes across the Trust.

Skills

Organizational skills

MS Office

Effective communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Teams

Job description

The White Horse Federation is seeking a Recruitment Lead to oversee end-to-end recruitment across 30 schools and Central Office, guiding Recruitment Officers and ensuring a compliant, efficient hiring process.

You will drive attraction strategies, manage the ATS, and report to Senior Leaders to support workforce planning. This role demands proactive stakeholder management in a multi-site trust and offers progression through CPD and benefits.