Talent Acquisition Advisor

Of Northampton; Northampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution in Northampton is seeking an experienced professional to manage talent acquisition processes. Responsibilities include guiding recruitment strategies, overseeing vacancies, and analyzing hiring data to enhance diversity and effectiveness. The ideal candidate will have a background in HR or recruitment, with a focus on brand development and candidate experience.

Qualifications

• Experience building talent acquisition plans and influencing leaders.
• Demonstrable experience in building employer brands in tight labor markets.
• Understanding of candidate journey from pre-application to induction.

Responsibilities

• Guide recruiting managers on effective resourcing channels.
• Oversee all vacancies from end to end.
• Analyze recruitment data and provide operational recommendations.

Skills

Building talent acquisition plans

Influencing leaders

Customer focus

Assessment of candidates

Analytical skills

Education

CIPD Level 5 or related HR/recruitment qualification

A degree or equivalent experience

Job description

About The Job

2026 Interview Date - To be confirmed

Reporting to the Head of Talent Acquisition, this post is operationally responsible for supporting how the University of Northampton (UON) positions itself, externally, as an employer of choice, in the job markets where UON acquires talent, in both academic and professional services disciplines.

In doing so, it is critical that UON is positioned as the welcoming and inclusive employer that it is, and that this brand positioning helps grow the diversity of the UON workforce.

The post holder will tactically guide recruiting managers on which resourcing channels will best deliver them a range of skill‑appropriate and diverse candidates. This person will (supported by the Talent Acquisition Assistant) oversee all of UON’s open vacancies from end to end, guiding recruiting managers through the vacancy approval process, managing candidate attraction, selection, on‑boarding and induction processes, ensuring the UON’s new recruits, at all levels, get their UON careers off to the best possible start.

This post is also responsible for analysing recruitment data, drawing information from it and making associated recommendations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities include recommending successful candidate attraction routes for all UON jobs; Dispensing candidate selection‑tool advice to recruiting managers; And fully managing all UON vacancies from beginning to end, including induction.

Furthermore the post holder will play an intergal part in filing vacancies; Influencing how UON’s central recruitment budget should be spent, to best effect through their own research; And assess all recruitment data e.g. time to recruit, cost of recruitment, equality impact and make operational recommendations for improvement across all areas.

We want you to be able to carry out your work in a way that best supports UON and our students, but also you as an individual. We understand this may vary between different areas of the university as well as from one person to another. With Smarter Working you can work with increased flexibility, if you would like to, which can facilitate greater freedom and autonomy.

About You

Our ideal candidate will have experience of building talent acquisition plans for departments, with a track record of influencing leaders on adopting successful approaches to ensure a quality talent pipeline is built and sustained; With demonstrable experience of building captivating employer brands in tight labour markets; And a strong customer focused who can demonstrate how they have improved hiring managers’ view of a talent acquisition team / process through great service and delivering desired results.

They will have an understanding of the candidate psyche and will know the importance of treating applicants as consumers, understand the candidate journey from pre‑application to induction and can demonstrate how they have made tactical improvements to the above; alongside adeep knowledge of how to assess candidates’ suitability for roles, using the full armoury of selection tools available, including psychometric and ability testing and analytical and decision‑making skills – exploring, evaluating and interpreting information and ability to take decisions and make recommendations based on an analysis of options.

Qualifications

Essential

• CIPD Level 5, or other related HR / recruitment qualification, or relevant experience
• A degree or equivalent experience
• Evidence and commitment to continuing professional development

Desirable

• Qualified in interpreting candidate psychometric testing profiles

Human Resources

In HR, we are all about making work and the working environment fabulous, supporting our staff to give a great student experience.

About Us

At the University of Northampton, we are committed to supporting aspirations, creating opportunities, and delivering meaningful impact. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we foster a progressive, inclusive environment where excellence thrives for our students and staff.

Our People

Our staff are our greatest asset. We are dedicated to building an inclusive community that values diversity, promotes wellbeing, and supports personal and professional growth. By developing a first‑rate People Strategy, we aim to attract and retain top talent, enhance career progression, and ensure that every colleague feels empowered to achieve their best.

Our Values

• Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to excel.
• Sustainability: We are committed to becoming a net zero carbon institution, taking collective action for the benefit of society and the environment.
• Aspiration: We strive for excellence in all we do, empowering our staff, students, and partners to reach their highest potential.
• Trust: We build relationships based on respect, transparency, and shared goals.

Together, we are creating a future where our community, our work, and our impact truly make a difference.

Right To Work

All candidates will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK during the interview process. The University is open to considering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, provided that the eligibility criteria of the points‑based immigration system are met.

Equality

We welcome applications from individuals from under‑represented groups.

The University of Northampton is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical, and sustainable environment that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment ensures an inclusive atmosphere for staff, students, and the public. We manage equality and diversity through key committees and formal policies, extending our responsibility to subsidiary companies and partnerships.

Together @ UON

Our Commitment to Equality and Inclusion

Together @ UON affirms our dedication to creating an environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equality. We aim to foster a space where all can thrive, aligning with our mission to transform lives and inspire change.

Commitments Include

1. Creating an Inclusive Environment: Adopting a zero‑tolerance approach to discrimination and ensuring all activities are inclusive.
2. Supporting Students and Staff: Strengthening mental health support, enhancing disability confidence, and ensuring academic and professional support.
3. Tackling Inequalities: Involving students in recruitment, integrating forums for equality data analysis, and supporting networks for protected characteristics.

UON’s Major Commitments

• Disability Confident
• Standalone Pledge
• IHRA Working Definition

For more details, visit: Equality and Diversity at UON