Specialist Talent Acquisition Consultant
Be part of something greater.
- Job reference: SDX/TP/706042/161965
- Location: Hybrid - UK Wide, with a minimum of 3 days per week on-site / in a Sodexo office
- Job type: Full Time - Monday - Friday - 39 hours per week
- Salary: £40,000
- Closing date: 09 October 2026
About the role
Research the market. Reach the people others cannot. Advise leaders on what it will take to secure them.
Sodexo is building a dedicated in-house search capability for specialist, hard-to-find and executive talent across UK & Ireland. This is not high-volume recruitment and it is not a role centred on advert response. It is a research-led, insight-rich search position with ownership of critical assignments from market definition to accepted offer.
As a Specialist Talent Acquisition Consultant, you will develop deep expertise in your talent markets, map competitor organisations, identify passive talent and approach people with credibility. You will advise senior leaders on availability, positioning, reward and search strategy, helping them make informed choices rather than simply presenting a shortlist.
You will join at the point the capability is being created, giving you the opportunity to shape search practice, build long-term talent communities and demonstrate what a strong in-house search function can deliver.
What you'll do
- Own end-to-end search assignments for specialist, niche, hard-to-fill and leadership appointments across an allocated market portfolio.
- Translate business and capability requirements into clear search hypotheses, target markets and candidate profiles.
- Conduct detailed organisation and talent mapping to identify relevant employers, teams, networks and prospective candidates.
- Approach and engage passive talent directly, representing Sodexo’s proposition with credibility and market fluency.
- Build and curate specialist talent communities and future pipelines, maintaining relationships beyond an immediate vacancy.
- Interview and assess candidates against technical expertise, leadership behaviours and the outcomes required from the appointment.
- Provide senior stakeholders with evidence-based advice on talent availability, reward, competitor movement and market positioning.
- Manage sensitive and confidential searches with sound judgement, discretion and outstanding candidate communication.
- Maintain deep knowledge of your specialist markets and turn external intelligence into practical recommendations for the business.
- Increase direct-search delivery and reduce avoidable reliance on agencies and external search firms.
What you'll bring
- Strong specialist and/or senior-level search experience, including headhunting, interviewing and assessment.
- Advanced direct-sourcing and talent-mapping capability with evidence of engaging passive and hard-to-reach candidates.
- Credibility with senior hiring leaders and the confidence to advise on briefs, market conditions and appointment strategy.
- Strong research and market-intelligence skills, with the curiosity to develop genuine subject-matter expertise.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to explain how talent availability, reward and positioning affect hiring outcomes.
- Sound judgement and discretion in complex, confidential and business-critical work.
- Confidence using recruitment technology, digital sourcing and talent-intelligence platforms.
- A visible, business-facing approach, including regular travel and on-site presence
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KEY BENEFITS
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Advice and guidance
Get help with legal, financial, personal or work issues whenever you need it. -
Pension Plan
Save effectively for your future when you join the Sodexo Pension Plan. -
Wellbeing support
Unlimited access to online support for your mental health, 24/7. -
Generous leave
For holidays, care needs or major life events, we’ll help you rest and recharge. -
Discounts and savings
Enjoy great deals from leading retailers and use our Bike to Work scheme -
Virtual GP
24-hour access to video or phone consultations for you and your family.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At our company, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Roles at Sodexo are designed to empower individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment that values equity and supports the growth of all employees, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from our collective success.
Social Impact
Ever since we started, we’ve had a clear purpose – to do some good in our communities through helping people. Today, that purpose is still a huge part of who we are. And every one of our colleagues helps that happen.
We’re committed to volunteering our time, resources, skills and knowledge – more than 50% of colleagues contribute to thousands of volunteer hours every year. And our Charitable Foundation has now donated over £9 million to charities and good causes across the country.
Hybrid - UK Wide, with a minimum of 3 days per week on-site / in a Sodexo office, United Kingdom
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Join us at Sodexo and explore the exciting career opportunities we offer! Whether you're interested in hospitality, facilities management, or food services, we invite you to set up a profile and become part of our vibrant team.