Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist - Financial Services

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development support

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist to drive the Financial Services recruitment vertical. You will lead a team of recruiters, develop strategic TA plans, and ensure delivery of high-quality talent to banks, insurers and asset managers.

The role requires 7+ years in TA, strong leadership, and deep industry knowledge. A performance-based bonus and comprehensive benefits accompany a Cape Town office-based position.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in talent acquisition, with a strong specialization in financial services recruitment.
• Proven experience in a leadership or management role within a recruitment agency or internal TA team.
• In-depth knowledge of the financial services industry, including regulatory environments and key talent trends.
• Demonstrated success in sourcing and placing candidates for senior roles such as investment bankers, portfolio managers, risk analysts, and compliance officers.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Superior communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Proficiency in ATS and other TA technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive talent acquisition strategies for the financial services sector.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of recruitment professionals, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Oversee the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring efficiency, quality, and a positive candidate experience.
• Build and nurture strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders within client organizations.
• Utilize advanced sourcing techniques to identify and engage passive and active candidates for niche and senior roles.
• Analyze recruitment data and market intelligence to provide strategic insights and recommendations.
• Manage vendor relationships and recruitment technology platforms.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant employment laws and company policies.
• Contribute to employer branding initiatives to attract top talent.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Talent acquisition

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Degree in Business/Finance/HR

Tools

ATS/TA technologies

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading recruitment consultancy situated in the vibrant city of Cape Town, is actively searching for an accomplished Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist to spearhead their Financial Services recruitment vertical. This is a critical role demanding strategic insight, exceptional stakeholder management, and a deep understanding of the financial services industry's talent needs. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving the recruitment strategy, managing a team of recruiters, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality talent to our esteemed clients in banking, insurance, and investment management. If you are a strategic leader with a passion for identifying and attracting top financial talent, this role offers significant impact and growth potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive talent acquisition strategies for the financial services sector.


• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of recruitment professionals, fostering a high-performance culture.


• Oversee the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring efficiency, quality, and a positive candidate experience.


• Build and nurture strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders within client organizations.


• Utilize advanced sourcing techniques to identify and engage passive and active candidates for niche and senior roles.


• Analyze recruitment data and market intelligence to provide strategic insights and recommendations.


• Manage vendor relationships and recruitment technology platforms.


• Ensure compliance with all relevant employment laws and company policies.


• Contribute to employer branding initiatives to attract top talent.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in talent acquisition, with a strong specialization in financial services recruitment.


• Proven experience in a leadership or management role within a recruitment agency or internal HR/TA team.


• In-depth knowledge of the financial services industry, including regulatory environments and key talent trends.


• Demonstrated success in sourcing and placing candidates for critical roles such as investment bankers, portfolio managers, risk analysts, and compliance officers.


• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.


• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.


• Proficiency in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and other TA technologies.


• A relevant degree in Business, Finance, Human Resources, or a related discipline.

Benefits

This position offers an attractive salary package commensurate with experience, along with a performance-based bonus structure. Our client provides opportunities for extensive professional development and leadership training. You will be part of a prestigious firm known for its excellence in the heart of Cape Town. Comprehensive benefits include medical aid, a retirement fund, and support for continuous learning. This role is office-based, offering full immersion in the collaborative and dynamic environment of our client's operations in Cape Town.