Head of talent acquisition in digital consultancy

Hippo Digital is a rapidly growing digital consultancy passionate about building and delivering transformative digital solutions for a diverse range of public and private-sector clients. We are recruiting for a Talent Acquisition Lead to support our next phase of growth. Our collaborative and agile culture empowers our teams to make a genuine impact. As a Talent Acquisition Lead at Hippo, you will be accountable for the recruitment strategy, priorities and hiring outcomes across one of our key talent portfolios.

Take accountability for recruitment performance and hiring outcomes across an assigned portfolio, which may cover technical permanent, non-technical permanent or associate recruitment. Translate approved and forecast workforce demand into a clear, prioritised and deliverable portfolio recruitment plan. Personally lead the end-to-end recruitment of selected critical, senior, specialist or difficult-to-fill roles. Develop sourcing and attraction strategies for recurring and business-critical capabilities, building proactive pipelines rather than relying solely on reactive applications.

Act as the senior recruitment partner to Profession leaders and hiring stakeholders, providing evidence-based advice on talent availability, salaries, timescales, assessment and delivery risk. Provide clear priorities, day-to-day direction, coaching and recruitment expertise to the Talent Acquisition Partner supporting your portfolio. Ensure attraction and assessment processes are inclusive, structured, proportionate and appropriate to the professional disciplines within your portfolio. Maintain a consistent and engaging candidate experience, ensuring communication, feedback and decision-making are timely and professional.

Identify professionals who combine deep craft expertise with the communication, adaptability and client focus required to succeed in a consultancy environment.

Significant experience delivering end-to-end recruitment in a fast-paced environment, including senior, specialist and difficult-to-fill appointments. A strong understanding of one or more of the talent markets relevant to Hippo, including:
User Research, Content Design, Service Design and User Experience Design;
Product Management, Business Analysis and Agile Delivery Management;
Software Engineering, Data Engineering/Science/Analytics, Technical Architecture and QA. Advanced direct-sourcing skills and experience developing proactive pipelines for scarce, specialist or recurring capabilities. The credibility and confidence to advise senior stakeholders, constructively challenge assumptions and facilitate decisions when priorities compete. A strong understanding of structured and inclusive assessment methods, from technical exercises and system-design discussions to portfolio reviews, case studies and competency-based interviews.

A methodical approach to recruitment, using applicant tracking systems and analytics to understand demand, pipeline health, conversion, source effectiveness and delivery risk.

• a competitive salary which we’re transparent about from the outset
• Contributory pension scheme (Hippo 6% with employee contributions of 2%)
• 25 days holiday plus UK public holidays
• Perkbox access for a wide range of discounts
• Critical illness cover
• Life assurance and death in service cover
• Volunteer days
• Cycle-to-work scheme for the avid cyclists
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicles scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Financial and general wellbeing sessions
• Flexible benefits scheme with options of: private health cover, private dental cover, additional company pension contributions, additional holidays (up to an extra 2 days), wellbeing contribution, charity contributions, tree planting
• Plus, we offer a generous relocation support package of up to £8k (please ask for terms and conditions) to help make your move a smooth one.