Talent Acquisition Assistant

Of Northampton; Northampton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Northampton is seeking a candidate to support the talent acquisition process. The role involves refreshing recruitment content, ensuring compliance, confirming offers, and managing candidate onboarding. The ideal candidate has a CIPD Level 3 qualification or related experience in recruitment, along with strong organizational and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Experience in recruitment and HR administration.
• Proven experience with databases and Microsoft suite.

Responsibilities

• Support the entire talent acquisition process.
• Refresh recruitment content and ensure compliance.
• Confirm offers and setup candidates in systems.

Skills

Analytical skills

Decision-making

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

CIPD Level 3 or related HR qualification

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 the whole talent acquisition administration process from end to end (candidate attraction to completion of induction).

The post holder will help ensure that UON candidates have a great experience and are handled with dignity and speed and that recruiting managers are provided with sufficient volume and calibre of candidates for all open roles.

The post holder will ensure the timely gathering of recruitment data to guide and inform future talent acquisition strategies and plans.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Refreshing content on the UON recruitment website, following discussions with talent acquisition colleagues, to ensure that UON is always positioned as an attractive employer in all of its job markets and regularly auditing job descriptions to ensure that they comply with UON best practice as determined by the Head of Talent Acquisition.
• Posting all UON roles onto relevant recruitment channels, based on the advice supplied by talent acquisition colleagues, or based on the job-holder’s own view – once ratified by colleagues alongside regularly checking the quality and volume of applicants, by role, and regularly updating talent acquisition colleagues and the recruiting manager and booking candidates in to attend UON assessments.
• Confirming verbal offers with candidates and generating contracts of employment and commissioning recruitment checks;
• Ensuring that candidates are correctly set up on UON systems, ready for their commencement of employment;
• Ensuring that candidates’ inductions are going well, including completing mandatory training, by checking in regularly.
• Reporting any concerns upwards as well as pulling together all recruitment data e.g. time to recruit, cost of recruitment, equality impact.

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 an appreciation of the work of a recruitment and / or a HR Application team and has the ability to work with confidential information. Understanding the importance of delivering a swift and accurate administration service to both UON managers and candidates.

They will have great analytical and decision-making skills – exploring, evaluating and interpreting information and ability to take decisions and make recommendations based on an analysis of options. With an ability to think conceptually and communicate concepts effectively.

They would also possess excellent organisational and prioritising skills; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; Excellent interpersonal skills being able to form positive working relationships at all levels; and Proven administration experience, including databases and the full Microsoft suite.

Qualifications

Essential

• CIPD Level 3, or other related HR / recruitment qualification, or relevant experience.
• Evidence and commitment to continuing professional development.

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 underrepresented 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, Equality and Diversity at UON