Talent Acquisition Manager

Job Title: Talent Acquisition Manager
Location: UK, Hybrid (with at least one day per week working from HALO's London office)
Salary: Circa £55k per annum, dependent on experience
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Reports To: Head of HR Operations
Direct Reports: Recruitment Officer
Key Internal Contacts/Relationships: Director of HR; HR leadership and wider HR team; International HR Managers; programme and regional leaders; hiring managers; safeguarding; security; communications; finance; procurement; IT and systems colleagues.
Key External Contacts/Relationships: Candidates; recruitment agencies; immigration advisers; executive search providers; advertising and assessment suppliers; professional networks; sector bodies; universities and careers services.
Job Purpose:
The Talent Acquisition Manager is responsible for developing and delivering an effective, inclusive and responsive talent acquisition service across HALO globally. The role works in partnership with HR colleagues, programme and departmental leaders, and hiring managers to anticipate workforce requirements, attract high-quality and diverse candidates, and deliver fair, robust and timely recruitment and selection processes.
The post holder combines strategic oversight with hands-on recruitment delivery, strengthening HALO’s sourcing capability, employer brand, candidate experience, recruitment data and use of technology. The role also manages visa sponsorship responsibilities and HALO’s International Placements Policy and process, ensuring effective governance, accurate records and appropriate stakeholder coordination.
About HALO:
HALO is the leading global NGO addressing the impact and drivers of conflict in 30 countries and territories, with over 8,000 staff. Most of our staff are local employees and include a growing number of women.
Our primary duty is to serve people affected by conflict, clearing landmines and the explosive remnants of war that threaten lives and livelihoods long after fighting has finished. We make land safe where war has ended, while also assisting those affected by active conflict and endemic violence.
HALO addresses human suffering caused by armed violence in some of the world’s most fragile places, securing weapons and ammunition and working with both state and community actors to reduce the prevalence of armed violence.
About the role:
As a key member of the HR team, the Talent Acquisition Manager leads the development and delivery of HALO’s global talent acquisition approach. The role provides professional advice and practical support throughout the recruitment lifecycle, from workforce planning and sourcing through to appointment, sponsorship where applicable, and handover for onboarding or international placement.
Responsibilities:
1. Talent Acquisition Strategy and Planning
Develop and deliver a talent acquisition plan aligned with HALO’s organisational and workforce priorities.
Partner with HR colleagues, programmes and departments to understand current and anticipated recruitment requirements.
Identify talent gaps, difficult-to-recruit roles and future capability requirements, and develop targeted approaches.
Provide talent-market insight and recommend proportionate improvements to HALO’s global recruitment practice.
2. End-to-End Recruitment Delivery
Oversee and, where necessary, directly manage recruitment campaigns from approved requisition through to offer and appointment.
Work with hiring managers to develop job descriptions, person specifications, advertisements and selection criteria.
Ensure selection methods are structured, fair, evidence-based and appropriate to the role.
Coordinate recruitment across programmes, countries and disciplines, maintaining clear communication with candidates and stakeholders.
Ensure offers and appointment information are accurate, authorised and handed over promptly for pre-employment checks, contracts and onboarding.
Support Field Officer, volume and specialist selection activity where required.
3. Proactive Sourcing and Talent Pipelines
Develop proactive sourcing strategies using professional networks, social media, recruitment platforms, databases, referrals and direct approaches.
Build talent pipelines for priority, recurring and difficult-to-fill roles.
Undertake talent mapping and market research to improve access to specialist and diverse candidate pools.
Review source effectiveness and explore appropriate early-career and alternative talent-entry routes.
4. Employer Brand and Candidate Experience
Support the development and consistent application of HALO’s employer brand and employee value proposition.
Develop engaging recruitment content with Communications and maintain appropriate careers-channel content.
Promote a professional, respectful and accessible candidate experience.
Gather candidate and hiring-manager feedback and represent HALO at relevant recruitment and careers events.
5. Inclusive, Fair and Safe Recruitment
Embed equality, diversity and inclusion throughout attraction, assessment and selection.
Identify and minimise unnecessary barriers, provide reasonable adjustments and promote diverse sourcing approaches.
Monitor recruitment outcomes for barriers or inconsistencies.
Embed safeguarding and safer recruitment considerations, coordinating with safeguarding colleagues and escalating concerns appropriately.
6. Recruitment Governance, Policy and Compliance
Maintain and review recruitment policies, procedures, templates and guidance.
Ensure recruitment records are accurate, complete and retained appropriately.
Promote compliance with applicable employment, immigration, data protection, safeguarding and safer recruitment requirements.
Ensure approvals and checks are completed and identify and escalate recruitment risks, control weaknesses or policy exceptions.
Support consistent global standards while recognising legitimate local requirements.
7. Recruitment Systems, Data and Reporting
Promote effective use of recruitment technology, systems and digital tools.
Develop management information covering recruitment timescales, source effectiveness, vacancy progress, offer outcomes and stakeholder experience.
Analyse data to identify delays, risks and improvement opportunities.
Improve workflows, data quality and efficiency with relevant colleagues.
8. Stakeholder Partnership and Capability
Act as a trusted adviser to programme and departmental leaders, hiring managers, International HR Managers and the wider HR team.
Constructively challenge requirements that may unnecessarily restrict candidate pools.
Develop guidance and deliver recruitment and selection training for hiring managers and panel members.
Provide clear updates on progress, risks, decisions and required actions.
9. Supplier and Budget Management
Manage recruitment agencies, advertising providers, assessment suppliers and other external partners.
Ensure suppliers are used in line with procurement and approval requirements and review quality, cost and value.
Monitor recruitment expenditure and reduce unnecessary agency dependency through stronger direct sourcing.
10. Visa Sponsorship and International Placements
Manage HALO’s visa sponsorship responsibilities and associated recruitment processes, ensuring sponsorship activity is properly authorised, accurately documented and undertaken in line with relevant requirements.
Act as the principal HR contact for visa sponsorship matters linked to recruitment and international placements, providing clear guidance to candidates, employees, hiring managers and HR colleagues.
Coordinate sponsorship applications, renewals, changes and required records, working with internal stakeholders and external immigration advisers where specialist advice is required.
Maintain oversight of sponsorship deadlines, documentation and compliance requirements, escalating risks, gaps or potential breaches promptly.
11. Leadership and Team Management
Provide clear leadership, support and direction to the Resourcing Officer.
Set objectives, clarify priorities, manage workload and hold regular development discussions.
Ensure the recruitment service is responsive, consistent and appropriately prioritised.
Contribute actively to HR projects, team meetings and wider people initiatives.
General:
Uphold HALO’s core values and standards, promoting its ethos and mission statement.
Ensure familiarity with and adherence to all HALO policies and procedures, especially the code of conduct and safeguarding
Promote a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment.
Maintain confidentiality and handle personal information responsibly.
Take responsibility for professional development and undertake reasonable additional duties consistent with the role.
Travel Requirements:
Minimum one day per week working from HALO's London office
Travel within the UK or internation

Work arrangement
No