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HR role insights

A guide to understanding the responsibilities and requirements of popular HR job roles

Talent Acquisition Manager

The Role of a TA Manager

In any company, the people are crucial for its long-term success and ability to compete in the market. That’s where Talent Acquisition managers come in. Their role is vital because they’re responsible for finding and hiring the right candidates who not only meet the company’s needs but also enhance its reputation and ensure continued growth.

Finding the perfect candidate isn’t easy; it requires deep industry knowledge and an understanding of what the company needs. That’s why having a Talent Acquisition manager who knows the industry inside out is essential for effective candidate sourcing.

Strategic Planning for Talent Management

Talent acquisition managers play a crucial role in the strategic HR management of a company. They work closely with senior management to develop and implement both short-term and long-term talent acquisition strategies. These strategies are crafted with a keen awareness of the industry’s talent market and consideration for current roles as well as future demands.

What sets talent management professionals apart from traditional recruiters is their involvement in the company’s strategic planning. While recruiters typically focus on filling immediate hiring needs on a reactive basis, talent acquisition professionals take a proactive approach. They devise plans to address both current and future talent requirements, sourcing candidates being just one aspect of their responsibilities.

Enhance Employer’s Reputation

Talent acquisition managers play a crucial role in connecting with potential candidates directly, placing them in a prime position in leaving a first impression of the company. Their excellent interviewing and communication skills contribute to disseminating a positive word-of-mouth reputation about the company, enhancing its industry position as an employer. Additionally, they collaborate with marketing and HR teams to find innovative ways to attract top talent, including using testimonials, developing career page content, and utilising reviews from various platforms.

Moreover, talent acquisition managers are responsible for finding and keeping the company up to date with leading and effective recruitment technologies. These include interviewing software, applicant tracking systems (ATS), and AI-supported tools for candidate screening and scheduling. By leveraging these tools, they maintain and nurture a steady pipeline of talent while ensuring cost and time efficiency.

Candidate Sourcing

At the heart of talent acquisition lies candidate sourcing. Talent acquisition managers are the driving force behind this process. They assess the company’s need for new talent, reaching out to potential candidates through job ads and other sourcing methods. Their goal? To find the perfect fit for the long haul. They’re intimately familiar with the company’s vision, mission, and goals. Their job isn’t just about filling roles; it’s about finding people who align with the company’s values and have the skills to help achieve its objectives. Sometimes, they even use behavioral and cognitive tests to ensure candidates are a cultural fit for the company.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

  • Graduation or post-graduation degree in business administration with HR specialisation.
  • CIPD certifications levels 5 and 7 offered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK will increase the pace of career progression towards a managerial role.
  • Level 3 for In-house recruitment and Levels 4 and 5 Diplomas in Recruitment Management offered by bodies such as The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (The REC) in the UK can help boost your knowledge and give you a competitive advantage.
  • 4-7 years of professional experience as a talent acquisition specialist or recruiter with hands-on experience working with multiple company-specific ATS, screening software and databases.

Useful Skills

  • Well-versed in working with different departments to identify their talent needs with a demonstrated ability and experience in developing talent management strategies.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills to conduct telephone, online and face-to-face interviews with industry professionals ranging from graduates to experienced personnel for managerial posts.
  • Experienced in headhunting using advanced search techniques.
  • Active social media presence with an extensive network on LinkedIn and other platforms.

Expected benefits and salary range (UK)

Talent Acquisition Manager is a high-paying role in the UK with an average salary of £48,500 annually, given that the salary is subject to increase depending on the skills, abilities and professional experience of the individual. Progression of the role to Head of Talent can see salaries as high as £80,000 and more.

Likewise, the role is also subject to numerous compensation and benefits plans including pension, health insurance, discounted medical treatments, bonuses, employee discounts, referral bonuses, annual pay increases, profit sharing and many more depending on the benefits plan of the company.

Interested in other career paths in HR? Learn more about these popular roles.

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