In-house Talent Advisor

The role

supports permanent and contractor hiring activity to ensure recruitment is delivered efficiently, compliantly and in line with agreed service standards, while maintaining operational oversight of onboarding readiness through Day 30 stabilisation.

This position is not a traditional recruitment role as it moves away from candidate engagement. You will be working closely with internal stakeholders and QinetiQ's RPO - making decisions via data-led evidence - to provide expert guidance on hiring, retention, and talent strategies.

The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate hands-on exposure to contractor governance and IR35. This will include having experience working with tax colleagues, using HMRC’s CEST tool, checking assessments, ensuring documentation is retained, and understanding the importance of SOWs.

Key Accountabilities

UKI Permanent Recruitment Delivery

• Manage end-to-end recruitment lifecycle for assigned UKI portfolios.
• Support hiring managers from approved requisition through offer and onboarding stabilisation.
• Coordinate agreed SLAs for CV review, interview scheduling and feedback.
• Escalate ageing activity, blockers and repeated process non-compliance through agreed governance routes.
• Support recruitment reporting and dashboard accuracy.

Contingent Workforce & Contractor Coordination

• Coordinate contractor and contingent worker hiring activity in line with agreed governance processes.
• Support accurate IR35 documentation and process compliance.
• Liaise with Supply Chain, hiring managers and suppliers regarding contractor onboarding and extensions.
• Escalate contractor process risks, delays and documentation issues where required.
• Maintain accurate contractor process records and system data.

Onboarding Oversight

• Maintain visibility of onboarding readiness (IT, vetting, access and manager preparedness).
• Conduct Day 30 onboarding check-ins for agreed critical hires.
• Escalate onboarding delays and operational issues to Recruitment & Onboarding Manager.
• Support a consistent candidate and hiring manager onboarding experience.

Data & System Discipline

• Ensure high-quality requisition intake data.
• Maintain accurate recruitment and contractor records within agreed systems.
• Support reporting accuracy through disciplined system usage.
• Maintain recruitment documentation in line with audit and compliance requirements.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Recruitment & Onboarding Manager (direct reporting line)
• Hiring Managers (UKI portfolio)
• Supply Chain / Procurement
• HR Business Partners
• Security & IT
• Group Reward
• Onboarding Operations Team

External

• RPO / MSP
• Recruitment agencies
• Contractor intermediaries / umbrella providers

Key Capabilities/Knowledge

• Good understanding of UK employment legislation and IR35 framework.
• Operational understanding of contractor vs SOW models.
• Understanding of an RPO / MSP relationship and the responsibilities and boundaries from both sides.
• Using data as evidence to make - or back up - decisions.
• Strong organisational and stakeholder management capability.
• High attention to detail and process discipline.
• Ability to manage multiple recruitment activities simultaneously.
• Good judgement and escalation awareness.

Experience & Qualifications

• Recruitment or talent acquisition experience within a complex or regulated environment.
• Experience coordinating recruitment activity across multiple stakeholders.
• Experience supporting contractor or contingent workforce processes desirable.
• Experience using recruitment or HR systems.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Competitive holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process: