Head of Expert Network & Sourcing

Head of Expert Network & Sourcing

Location: London – 5 days in office

Working Pattern: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £70,000–£80,000 + flexibility for the right candidate

About the Role

This is not a traditional recruitment or Talent Acquisition role.

Joining a fast-growing AI business, you'll build and lead the expert network and sourcing function responsible for identifying, engaging and growing networks of specialist professionals across a range of industries.

The business works with leading AI organisations to source the specialist expertise and human data required to develop and evaluate increasingly sophisticated AI models.

This is a high-volume, analytical and highly entrepreneurial role, combining expert sourcing, network development, analytics, automation and operations. You'll build scalable processes that enable the business to identify hundreds of relevant experts for multiple projects across constantly evolving sectors and domains.

You'll take ownership of a growing team and help build the function from the ground up, with sourcing directly connected to project delivery and commercial growth.

What You'll Own

• Build and lead the central expert network and sourcing function, developing scalable processes, systems and best practice.
• Design and deliver high-volume sourcing strategies across multiple channels, including Linked In, digital campaigns, job boards, partnerships and automated outreach.
• Build, grow and manage networks and communities of specialist professionals across multiple sectors.
• Rapidly launch new sourcing campaigns for emerging projects and evolving requirements.
• Own sourcing performance, using data to measure pipeline efficiency, conversion, cost-per-expert and repeat engagement.
• Develop strategies to maximise the re-engagement and repeat participation of qualified experts, reducing acquisition costs over time.
• Introduce AI, automation and technology to improve sourcing efficiency, scalability and reach.
• Develop compelling outreach and engagement strategies that attract specialists to participate in projects rather than traditional employment opportunities.
• Lead and develop a small central team while supporting multiple concurrent projects.
• Partner with leadership and project teams to forecast demand and build expert pipelines ahead of project requirements.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who enjoys building rather than inheriting — someone who can combine commercial thinking, data and hands-on execution to create a scalable expert acquisition engine.

You may come from an expert network, talent intelligence, sourcing, recruitment, marketplace, research, consulting or high-growth technology environment.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience leading or building a sourcing, expert network, recruitment, talent acquisition, marketplace or similar function.
• Experience managing high-volume sourcing, acquisition or specialist pipelines.
• A strong analytical mindset, with the ability to use data to understand performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience using AI, automation and technology to improve sourcing or operational processes.
• Strong understanding of sourcing funnels, conversion, engagement and pipeline management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A hands-on, entrepreneurial approach and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Experience building teams, processes or functions within a start-up, scale-up or high-growth business.

Particularly relevant backgrounds

We'd be particularly interested in candidates with experience in:

• Expert networks and specialist research
• Talent intelligence and strategic sourcing
• Marketplace or supply-side acquisition
• Community or network building
• High-volume recruitment/sourcing environments
• AI, technology or other high-growth businesses

Experience working with specialist professionals in areas such as finance, healthcare, legal, consulting, investment or technology would also be valuable.