Talent and Recruitment Specialist

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working options

Generous annual leave entitlement

Pension scheme

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Manchester Metropolitan University is seeking a Talent and Recruitment Specialist to partner with Faculties and Professional Services, delivering an exceptional recruitment experience from vacancy approval to offer. You will influence recruitment strategy, advise hiring managers, and advocate inclusive practices to attract diverse talent.

The role involves leading recruitment across a varied portfolio, building credibility with stakeholders, and using data to drive performance while working in a

Qualifications

• Experience managing end-to-end recruitment in a busy environment.
• Strong knowledge of recruitment best practice, attraction methods and market trends.
• Committed to inclusive recruitment and increasing diversity of talent pipelines.
• Ability to influence, advise and build credibility with stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end recruitment activity across a varied portfolio of vacancies.
• Build strong relationships with hiring managers and become their go-to recruitment expert.
• Advise on attraction strategies, routes to market and selection methods that deliver results.
• Champion inclusive recruitment practices and support diversity initiatives across the University.
• Deliver inclusive recruitment and selection training to hiring managers.
• Use recruitment data and market insight to identify trends and improve performance.
• Collaborate with HR colleagues and external partners to enhance candidate and hiring manager experience.

Skills

End-to-end recruitment

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Diversity & inclusion

Recruitment strategy

Training delivery

Tools

ATS platforms

HR systems & reporting tools

Job description

Talent and Recruitment Specialist – People and Organisational Development

Help exceptional people find meaningful careers

Why join us

Play a vital role in one of the UK's largest universities, at the heart of a vibrant, ambitious and globally connected city. As part of our Talent and Recruitment team, you'll help shape the future of Manchester Met by attracting the people who will drive innovation, support our students and contribute to our Road to 2035 strategy. This role is an opportunity to combine your recruitment expertise with meaningful work that creates lasting impact across our University community.

At Manchester Met, we're transforming lives together. Every appointment you make, every hiring manager you support and every candidate you engage will contribute to a university that advances knowledge, benefits society and creates opportunity.

What you will do

As a Talent and Recruitment Specialist, you'll be a trusted partner to Faculties and Professional Services departments, delivering an exceptional recruitment experience from vacancy approval through to offer. You'll use your expertise to advise, influence and challenge, ensuring we attract talented and diverse candidates through fair, inclusive and effective recruitment practices.

You will

• Lead end-to-end recruitment activity across a varied portfolio of vacancies.
• Build strong relationships with hiring managers and become their go-to recruitment expert.
• Advise on attraction strategies, routes to market and selection methods that deliver results.
• Champion inclusive recruitment practices and support initiatives that strengthen diversity across the University.
• Deliver inclusive recruitment and selection training to hiring managers, helping them make confident and informed hiring decisions.
• Use recruitment data and market insight to identify trends, improve performance and enhance service delivery.
• Work collaboratively with HR colleagues and external partners to continuously improve the candidate and hiring manager experience.

This is more than recruitment delivery. It's an opportunity to influence strategy, improve processes and help the University attract the talent it needs to succeed.

Who we are looking for

You're a relationship-builder who enjoys partnering with stakeholders and providing expert advice. You combine commercial awareness with a customer-focused mindset and understand how great recruitment can support organisational success.

We're particularly interested in people who bring:

• Experience managing end-to-end recruitment in a busy, complex environment.
• Strong knowledge of recruitment best practice, attraction methods and market trends.
• A genuine passion for inclusive recruitment and increasing the diversity of talent pipelines.
• The confidence to influence, advise and build credibility with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data into meaningful recommendations.
• Experience using ATS platforms, HR systems and reporting tools.

Most importantly, you'll bring energy, curiosity and a commitment to delivering an outstanding experience for every candidate and hiring manager you support.

What you will receive

At Manchester Met, you'll join an inclusive, people-led culture where your development matters. We'll invest in your growth and provide the support, autonomy and opportunities you need to build a rewarding career.

You’ll benefit from:

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Professional and leadership development opportunities.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.
• Wellbeing support and employee assistance resources.
• Access to colleague networks and a collaborative University community.

Discover a career with real impact

Choose a career where you can achieve real-world results, transform lives and contribute to society. Join a university that values your expertise, supports your ambition and empowers you to make a difference every day.

Be part of Manchester Met. Be Manchester Met proud. Let's transform lives together.

Please note that shortlisting for this vacancy will take place w/c 26th October 2026.

Interviews will be held w/c 2nd November 2026.

We encourage candidates to make note of these dates in the event that you are successfully invited to interview for the position.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.