Specialist Talent Acquisition Manager

Job introduction

Be the person that builds an in-house search capability for the talent that cannot be found through traditional recruitment.

Sodexo is establishing a dedicated UK & Ireland capability for specialist, scarce and executive talent. This is a central part of our new Talent Acquisition model and a deliberate move away from broad generalist delivery and unnecessary dependence on external search partners.

As Executive and Specialist Talent Acquisition Manager, you will build and lead that capability. You will set the search strategy, determine priority talent markets, shape specialist employer positioning and create pipelines for critical skills and leadership talent ahead of demand. You will also act as a trusted adviser to executive stakeholders, bringing the market evidence, judgement and challenge needed for high-impact appointments.

This role is for an accomplished search leader who wants to create, not simply inherit. You will combine the rigour, discretion and external reach of executive search with the organisational insight and long-term perspective of an in-house function.

What you'll do

• Own the UK&I strategy for specialist, scarce, leadership and executive recruitment across Sodexo’s businesses.
• Build a high-performing in-house search function with clear methodology, standards, market coverage and commercial measures.
• Lead strategic talent mapping and pipeline creation for critical capabilities, succession populations and future growth needs.
• Partner with HR Directors, Managing Directors and executive leaders to define requirements and shape appointment strategies.
• Provide authoritative intelligence on talent supply, competitor activity, remuneration, candidate expectations and market risk.
• Decide the most effective route to market for each assignment and ensure external search support is used selectively and for clear value.
• Shape compelling specialist and executive talent propositions that differentiate Sodexo in hard-to-hire markets.
• Lead, coach and develop six Senior Talent Acquisition Consultants across UK&I, building deep search and market expertise.
• Oversee complex and confidential searches, maintaining pace, judgement, discretion and exceptional candidate care.
• Deliver measurable improvement in direct sourcing, pipeline strength, appointment quality and external search cost.

What you'll bring

• Significant specialist and executive-search experience, including complex, confidential and leadership appointments.
• Advanced capability in direct search, headhunting, market mapping and talent intelligence.
• Proven credibility as a strategic adviser to executive stakeholders, with the confidence to challenge and influence critical decisions.
• Experience building forward talent pipelines and translating workforce priorities into search programmes.
• Experience shaping employer positioning or attraction strategies for specialist and scarce talent markets.
• Strong leadership capability, with evidence of setting standards, building expertise and driving high performance.
• Commercial judgement and a track record of delivering value through direct search and selective use of partners.
• The flexibility to travel regularly and operate as a visible UK&I business partner.