Talent & Retention Lead

FRS Recruitment; Cavan; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

FRS Recruitment in Ireland seeks a Talent & Retention Lead to own the driver lifecycle from recruitment to onboarding, engagement and retention. You will partner with the Driver Management Team to strengthen our driver proposition and create a supportive, motivating environment.

This permanent, office-based role offers opportunities to introduce apprenticeships, improve recruitment efficiency and drive employee satisfaction while maintaining cost controls and compliance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in recruitment with multi-channel campaigns.
• Experience recruiting international staff and navigating immigration requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual and seasonal driver recruitment plans.
• Recruit drivers via multiple channels including networks, agencies and schools.
• Oversee the design, content and effectiveness of the company's driver recruitment website and related digital platforms.
• Manage all recruitment expenditure and operate within budgets.
• Establish partnerships with external training organisations and develop internal driver apprenticeships and trainee programmes.
• Manage and continually improve driver referral bonus scheme.
• Maximise recruitment conversion rates, reduce recruitment costs and time through improvements.
• Design and manage all driver screening and selection processes.
• Develop selection criteria to recruit high-performing drivers aligned with company values.
• Coordinate Interviews, Assessments, driving evaluations, Certifications Compliance and right to work checks.
• Manage candidate and stakeholder expectations throughout the recruitment process.
• Design, implement and manage structured onboarding programs.
• Ensure probation reviews within 1 month and transition to next phase.
• Develop and execute annual driver engagement plan to improve retention.
• Develop Driver Buddy Program to assist onboarding.
• Execute driver-focused social media strategy.
• Collate and act on driver feedback with prompt responses.
• Implement plans to address attrition risks.
• Monitor turnover trends and conduct stay/exit interviews.

Skills

Multi-channel campaigns

International recruitment

Irish immigration knowledge

Stakeholder influence

Budget management

Analytics & reporting

Employer branding

Social media recruitment

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

Organised & proactive

Tools

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

Job description

Talent & Retention Lead (V-R3KJ07IND) Cavan, Republic of Ireland

Salary: EUR45000 - EUR50000 per annum

Permanent full time

Office based - Potential flexibility post probation

Overview:

You’ll own the full driver journey, from recruitment and onboarding through to engagement and retention. Working closely with the Driver Management Team, you’ll develop innovative initiatives that strengthen our driver proposition and create a supportive, engaging environment where drivers feel valued and motivated to stay.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the company's annual and seasonal driver recruitment strategy and plans to meet workforce plans / targets.
• Recruit drivers through multiple channels including but not limited to; existing driver networks, alumni drivers, employee referrals, social media, recruitment agencies, driver training schools, apprenticeship programs, international recruitment initiatives, job boards and specialist transport recruitment platforms
• Oversee the design, content and effectiveness of the company's driver recruitment website and related company digital recruitment platforms.
• Manage all recruitment expenditure and operate within agreed budgets.
• Establish partnerships with external training organisations and educational bodies and develop and manage internal driver apprenticeships and trainee programmes.
• Manage and continuously improve driver referral bonus scheme.
• Maximise recruitment conversion rates, reduce recruitment costs, and time invested through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Design and manage all driver screening and selection processes.
• Develop selection criteria to ensure the recruitment of high-performing drivers who align with company values.
• Coordinate Interviews, Assessments, driving evaluations, Qualification & Certifications Compliance and right to work employment checks and medical assessments where required
• Manage candidate and business stakeholder expectations throughout the recruitment process.
• Design, implement and manage structured onboarding programs.
• Ensure probation reviews are completed for all drivers within 1 month, co-ordinate review & sign off for Head of Driver Management and transition successful candidates to Performance & Comp Lead.
• Develop and execute the annual driver engagement plan with initiatives designed to improve recruitment conversion, reduce turnover, identify flight risks and improve employee satisfaction e.g. establish regular structured driver engagement (surveys, direct phone calls),
• Develop and maintain a Driver Buddy Program to assist with onboarding and integration.
• Develop and execute the company's driver-focused social media strategy.
• Ensure driver feedback (concerns and suggestions) are collated and shared (with relevant staff promptly e.g. planning, garage or driver mgt team), concluded (actions / decision) and response (feedback / decisions) is provided.
• Implement action plans to address driver attrition risks.
• Monitor and analyse driver turnover trends and identify root causes by conducting stay interviews and exit interviews.

Skills / Qualifications:

• 3+ years’ recruitment experience, with proven experience delivering multi-channel recruitment campaigns across job boards, websites and social media.
• Experience recruiting international staff a bonus with navigating Irish immigration requirements, including employment permits, IRP permissions, visa requirements, and related work authorisation processes.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills, with the ability to manage difficult conversations with empathy.
• Proven track record in recruitment, retention, employee engagement and workforce planning, with a focus on delivering positive outcomes.
• Strong IT, analytical and reporting skills, including Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and similar systems.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering measurable operational improvements.
• Highly organised, proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to multitask, work independently, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and progress.
• Experience in employer branding and social media recruitment.