Talent Acquisition and Development Specialist

Job title: Talent Acquisition and Development Specialist Location: Croydon, Manchester, Tewkesbury (Hybrid available) Status: Full-time, permanent Purpose of Role: The Talent Acquisition & Development Specialist plays a key role in building HCML’s workforce of the future by attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent. This role ensures that recruitment and development strategies are aligned with business priorities, embedded in our culture and values, and support HCML’s mission to create a positive, engaged, and high-performing workforce. Working in close collaboration with HR Business Partners and department managers, the Specialist designs and delivers best-practice recruitment and learning solutions that empower leaders, enhance employee experience, and drive organisational performance. Key Responsibilities: Talent Acquisition • Lead end-to-end recruitment processes, ensuring seamless candidate experience and timely delivery of high-quality hires. • Collaborate with HR Business Partners and department managers to understand workforce needs and tailor recruitment strategies to each business area. • Build and maintain talent pipelines for critical roles, anticipating future needs. • Promote inclusive, value driven hiring practices that strengthen HCML’s employer brand. • Support managers with interview coaching and selection best practice, ensuring consistency and fairness. Learning & Development • Manage learning programs that build capability and support career growth. • Manage onboarding and induction programs to ensure new hires feel welcomed and equipped for success. • Support leadership development initiatives, working with HR Business Partners to identify needs and deliver impactful solutions. • Evaluate learning effectiveness and continuously improve programs based on feedback and business outcomes. Talent & Workforce Capability • Contribute to succession planning and workforce planning, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. • Identify skills gaps and capability requirements, using insights from recruitment and performance data. • Partner with HR Business Partners to integrate development plans into departmental strategies. Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration • Act as a trusted advisor to managers on recruitment and development matters. • Work closely with HR Business Partners to ensure joined-up delivery of people initiatives across the employee lifecycle. • Build strong internal and external partnerships to enhance talent acquisition and development outcomes. Systems, Reporting & Continuous Improvement • Maintain accurate HR, recruitment, and learning data in relevant systems. • Produce clear reports on recruitment metrics, learning outcomes, and workforce capability. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, candidate experience, and learning impact. Project Work & Additional Duties • Lead or contribute to strategic HR projects related to talent, culture, and engagement. • Undertake additional duties as required to support evolving business needs, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach. Person Specification: Experience • Proven experience in talent acquisition and/or learning and development. • Strong understanding of recruitment and learning methodologies. • Ability to partner effectively with leaders and HR Business Partners. • Excellent communication, organisation, and stakeholder engagement skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Skills & Knowledge • HR or L&D-related qualifications. • Experience in complex or regulated environments. • Familiarity with HR systems, ATS, or LMS platforms. Attributes • Proactive and solutions-focused. • Collaborative and relationship-driven. • Strong attention to detail. • Committed to inclusive people practices. • Passionate about creating a positive employee experience. Qualifications and Training Equal Opportunities Statement HCML is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.