Global Talent Acquisition Operations Manager Lisbon, Portugal

UNIT4 NV; Lisboa; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UNIT4 NV is seeking a Talent Acquisition Operations Lead to own global TA operations today and to design the future TA model for tomorrow, driving a shift to outcome-led, AI-enabled recruitment across regions.

The role combines strong operational delivery with transformational programmes, playbooks, data governance and cross-functional collaboration to enable scale, efficiency and impact in the TA function.

Job description

The Talent Acquisition Operations plays a critical role in both delivering and evolving the global Talent Acquisition (TA) operating model.

The role ensures strong day-to-day operational performance across core TA activities, while leading the transformation of how recruitment operates, shifting from traditional, process-driven approaches to more flexible, outcome-led and AI-enabled ways of working.

This is a dual-focus role:

• Owning and maintaining operational excellence today
• Designing and implementing the future TA model for tomorrow

While rooted in strong operational delivery, this role provides the opportunity to shape the future of Talent Acquisition by designing systems, programmes, and experiences that enable scale, efficiency, and impact in an increasingly AI-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

TA Operations Delivery & Ownership

• Own the day-to-day execution and performance of TA operations globally
• Ensure processes are consistently followed, understood, and effective in practice
• Act as the central point of accountability for operational quality, consistency, and delivery
• Identify and resolve operational issues, bottlenecks, and inconsistencies in real time
• Support recruiters and hiring managers in enabling and implementing processes effectively

TA Operations & Process Excellence

• Design, optimise, and continuously improve end-to-end TA processes globally
• Standardise workflows to ensure consistency, clarity, and high-quality delivery
• Develop and maintain playbooks, SOPs, and guidance materials for recruiters and hiring managers
• Drive operational efficiency across the hiring lifecycle, from job creation through to offer and onboarding handover
• Partner with cross-functional teams to reduce friction and improve overall process effectiveness

System Governance & Data Integrity

• Act as the operational owner of TA systems, ensuring effective configuration, access, and usage
• Monitor and improve data accuracy, process compliance, and reporting quality
• Build reporting frameworks and dashboards to track pipeline health, hiring performance, and operational efficiency
• Identify system gaps and support the research, identification, and implementation of enhancements and new tools

Future-State TA Design & Transformation

• Redefine the recruitment model, moving from linear, process-driven hiring to flexible, outcome-led approaches
• Challenge legacy processes and introduce new ways of working aligned to business transformation
• Design and evolve the TA operating model, including roles, team structures, and ways of collaborating with stakeholders
• Explore innovative approaches such as integrated or pod-based models to improve delivery and responsiveness

AI & Digital Enablement

• Lead the integration of AI tools and capabilities across the TA lifecycle, enhancing sourcing, screening, assessment, and workflow design
• Evaluate and prioritise AI use cases that improve efficiency, quality of hire, and candidate experienceEnsure responsible and compliant use of AI, aligned to regulatory requirements and internal governance (e.g. bias, transparency, candidate consent)
• Partner with PX, IT, Legal, and Data teams to implement AI-enabled solutions
• Build AI literacy across the TA function, enabling recruiters and stakeholders to adopt new tools confidently
• Continuously monitor emerging trends and assess their relevance for TA

Programme & Initiative Leadership

• Lead global TA programmes end-to-end, from concept through to delivery and adoption
• Manage a portfolio of initiatives focused on improving hiring outcomes and operational maturity
• Own and evolve strategic programmes such as:
  • Early careers and internship programmes
  • Talent pipelining and nurture strategies
  • Candidate engagement and experience initiatives
• Shift TA from reactive hiring to proactive, relationship-led talent strategies

Candidate & Hiring Manager Experience

• Design and continuously improve the end-to-end hiring experience
• Develop tools, training, and guidance to support hiring manager effectiveness
• Analyse feedback and data to identify improvement opportunities
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality experience across regions and functions

Change Management & Adoption

• Lead adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working across TA
• Drive mindset shifts from process-following to problem-solving
• Act as a bridge between strategy and execution, translating vision into practical delivery
• Deliver effective communication, training, and engagement to support change

Operational Excellence & Governance

• Ensure compliance with governance standards, including salary benchmarking and approvals
• Maintain high standards of system usage, data integrity, and process hygiene
• Ensure roles are accurately created, approved, and advertised
• Own the consistency and quality of the candidate and hiring manager experience
• These are core accountabilities of the role and remain critical as the function evolves and adopts new tools and AI-enabled approaches.