HR Manager – Talent Acquisition (Hybrid, Manchester)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Talent Acquisition Manager to lead our recruitment strategy in Manchester. The role is hybrid, offering two days on‑site each week, and focuses on designing and evaluating innovative hiring initiatives while ensuring a safe and inclusive candidate experience.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive recruitment strategy aligned with organisational goals.
• Audit current processes and collaborate with the operational HR team to embed safer recruitment and child safeguarding practices.
• Design new initiatives to improve candidate experience and attract top talent.
• Lead the “Way of Being Co‑op” within recruitment marketing, promoting cooperative values.
• Work with Marketing and PR to create an inclusive, modern candidate journey across social media.
• Manage attraction contracts with platforms such as LinkedIn, TES and Teaching Vacancies.
• Represent the trust at external recruitment events and forums.
• Upskill local recruitment administrators through audits and compliance checks.
• Provide market insight on salary trends, talent availability and competitor activity.
• Forecast workforce needs, advise hiring managers on role design and timelines, and introduce new sourcing and talent‑mapping methodologies.
• Use recruitment metrics to identify gaps, improve efficiency, and enhance quality of hire.

Required profile

• Proven experience as a Talent Acquisition or Recruitment Manager.
• Strong knowledge of safer recruitment and child safeguarding requirements.
• Ability to audit processes, design initiatives and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management, including collaboration with HR, Marketing, PR and external partners.
• Analytical mindset with experience using recruitment data to inform strategy.

Required skills

• LinkedIn recruitment platform

What we offer

• Permanent contract
• Hybrid working model (2 days on‑site)
• Competitive salary £42,839 – £47,181 per annum