Talent Acquisition Specialist

About us  Halfords is on a journey - building the future of motoring and cycling and looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. We’re a place for co‑creators: people who want to make a real impact, take ownership and be part of something that’s still evolving. As the UK’s leading retailer of motoring and cycling products, we’re supported by one of the country’s largest independent vehicle servicing, maintenance and repair networks through Halfords Autocentres. This breadth gives us a strong, stable foundation - and the freedom to keep innovating and growing. That means real variety for our colleagues, along with the opportunity to learn, stretch and develop as the business moves forward. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a team focused on delivering exceptional service - using your expertise to solve problems, guide customers and help keep the nation moving with confidence. About the role   This is an exciting opportunity to join our award-winning Talent Acquisition team, partnering closely with our Garages business to shape recruitment strategies and deliver high-volume hiring. You’ll focus on building strong relationships, using a direct sourcing approach to hire and pipeline the right talent, and aligning recruitment with both immediate and long-term business priorities.  In this collaborative role, you’ll manage around 20–30 positions at a time, providing market insights and innovative solutions to meet recruitment demands. As part of our flexible Talent Acquisition model, you’ll adapt and respond to changing business needs, making a meaningful impact on our teams and the growth of the business.  Key responsibilities  • Partner closely with Hiring Managers to understand business priorities, team dynamics and role requirements, providing expert advice on candidate selection.  • Develop and execute innovative sourcing strategies, building strong talent pipelines and maximising direct hiring channels.  • Manage the end-to-end candidate lifecycle, delivering a seamless and engaging experience from first contact to offer.  • Proactively build and maintain talent pools to address current and future hiring needs, ensuring a ready pipeline of qualified candidates.  • Maintain proactive communication with Hiring Managers and HR stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared accountability.  • Oversee the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), ensuring data accuracy, compliance and insightful reporting.  • Analyse recruitment metrics and market trends to inform resourcing strategies and improve talent acquisition processes.  • Represent the company externally at hiring events and maintain a visible presence in operational sites to understand talent needs first hand.  • Champion the Employer Brand, promoting fair, inclusive and consistent hiring practices that reflect our values.  About you  • Proven track record in recruitment within a high-volume environment, with a strong understanding of business needs and hiring strategies.  • Passionate about delivering an exceptional experience for both candidates and stakeholders. • Skilled in direct sourcing and talent attraction, using job boards, ATS databases and creative strategies to engage both active and passive candidates.  • Strong time management and organisational skills, able to prioritise and manage multiple roles effectively.  • Experienced in collaborating with stakeholders, influencing hiring decisions and presenting market insights through MI analysis.  • Adaptable, business-minded and excellent in communication, applying strategic thinking to recruitment challenges.  Reward & benefits   • A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave. • Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations. • We offer hybrid working in our Support Centre, you will be based at our Support Centre 2 days a week with an optional 3 days working from home. • You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services. • Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords. Not sure you meet all the criteria? We'd encourage you to take the wheel and apply anyway! At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We're an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family. At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 2 days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch