East West Railway Company

Talent Acquisition Specialist – 6-month fixed term contract

East West Railway Company

contract

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Milton Keynes • United Kingdom

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About the role

  • Be instrumental in developing a sourcing and recruitment strategy for a high volume of newly created roles across East West Rail.
  • Be a trusted partner to hiring managers - providing market research, challenge recommendations and guidance.
  • Shape and refine innovative direct sourcing strategies using market intelligence, talent mapping, and proactive outreach to build strong pipelines.
  • Work closely with hiring managers to define role requirements, recruitment commitments and timelines, and assessment approaches that align with business needs.
  • Deliver a seamless end-to-end recruitment process: briefing, advertising, shortlisting, screening, assessment, stakeholder management, offer process, through to onboarding handover.
  • Use market knowledge to inform decision-making, influence hiring outcomes, and anticipate shifts in talent availability.
  • Ensure recruitment activity reflects a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion with inclusive sourcing and assessment approaches.
  • Track recruitment process, provide clear reporting, and data led insights, and flag any risks early.
  • Provide an exceptional level of candidate experience, bring our Employee Value Proposition to life across all touchpoints.
  • Collaborate with the People Team and the wider organisation to make sure hiring aligns with broader capability and people priorities.
  • Ensure recruitment activities are cost effective and aligned with our values.
  • Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.

Requirements

  • Demonstrated ability to design and execute proactive direct sourcing strategies using a variety of talent attraction channels.
  • Exceptional relationship building skills with evidence of being a trusted advisor to line managers.
  • Experience in recruiting at scale in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to shape sourcing strategies aligned with capability needs, diversity goals, and workforce planning priorities.
  • Strong market awareness, understanding trends, competitor activity, and the market with the ability to translate this into actionable recruitment plans.
  • Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
  • Skilled at managing expectations, navigating ambiguity, and providing clear and calm guidance.
  • Commitment to delivering an exceptional candidate experience at each stage of the process.
  • Demonstrated ability to embed inclusive hiring processes, mitigate bias, and support diversity outcomes.
  • Confident user of applicant tracking systems (ATS), with strong attention to data accuracy.
  • Confident in using data, analytics, and reporting to track progress, identify risks and inform hiring decisions.
Benefits
  • Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
  • Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
  • 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
  • 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
  • Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
  • Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
  • Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
  • Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
  • Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
  • Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
direct sourcing strategiestalent mappingrecruitment processdata analyticsreportingcandidate experienceinclusive hiring processesworkforce planningmarket researchassessment approaches
Soft Skills
relationship buildingstrategic thinkingmanaging expectationsnavigating ambiguityclear communicationtrust advisorcommitment to diversityinfluencing outcomescollaborationproblem-solving