Talent Acquisition Specialist (FTC)

Cipd Hr30; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A high growth founder-led business in Oxford is looking for a Talent Acquisition Specialist to build their internal recruitment function. This role will involve designing processes that enhance candidate experience and managing senior and entry-level hires. Candidates should have in-house experience and the ability to participate in senior discussions. The opportunity includes working with a degree of autonomy and contributing to a sustainable energy sector. This position is temporarily based but plans to evolve into a permanent role.

Qualifications

• Previous in-house recruitment experience essential.
• Capability to participate in senior-level discussions.
• Experience in PE-backed or founder-led organizations advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design recruitment processes and policies.
• Manage approximately 15 requisitions.
• Lead agency engagement and contract negotiation.
• Direct sourcing using networks and tools.

Skills

Operational delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Recruitment process design

Diversity & Inclusion best practices

Candidate experience enhancement

Tools

LinkedIn Recruiter

Agency negotiation

Job description

- **Talent Acquisition Specialist (FTC)**# Talent Acquisition Specialist (FTC)£0.00Oxford£60000 - £65000 per annumFull TimeCIPD Member3 January 2026Interim, contract & temporaryGeneral HR Function, Talent & Development / Performance ManagementScientific & PharmaceuticalExecutive / Officer**Your new company** Our client is a high growth, founder-led business in Oxford who are at an exciting stage of their development. Having created their first in-house HR function earlier this year, the opportunity has arisen for them to now begin to build their Talent Acquisition function. This is an on-site role in Oxford and will initially begin on a temporary basis, but the organisation do plan for this role to be a permanent part of their wider HR function by spring/summer 2026. Candidates must be available to start in early January 2026.**Your new role** In this role, you will play a pivotal role in building the internal recruitment function which is currently in an early stage/reactive state. You will design processes and policies which will enhance candidate experience, champion DE&I best practice and contribute to a strong employer value proposition. You can expect to manage circa 15 requisitions at any given time, varying from senior hires to entry-level roles across the business. You will also lead on agency engagement, negotiation of terms and will begin to build a suitable PSL for the business to use when agency support is needed. You will direct source as much as you can and will utilise your existing network, LinkedIn Recruiter and other tools to headhunt for current and future vacancies through effective talent pipelines.**What you'll need to succeed** Previous experience as an in-house professional in a standalone capacity is essential to be considered for this position. You must be able to demonstrate you can deliver operationally whilst also being able to sit at the table of senior level conversations and contribute appropriately in these business discussions. As an experienced recruiter, you will be expected to have a wealth of lived experience to draw upon when it comes to 'what good looks like' and will know how to successfully win hearts and minds of senior stakeholders. Previous experience in a PE-backed/Founder-led organisation would be highly advantageous.**What you'll get in return** You will be joining an organisation who are carrying out some impressive and innovative work in the sustainable energy sector. This truly is a blank canvas opportunity for someone to make the role their own and work with a high degree of autonomy in this thriving business. This role certainly has the opportunity to grow into a bigger role in the future too. You will work in an environment where there is investment and appetite from a senior level to create a best-in-class TA function. **What you need to do now** If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at