Talent Acquisition Lead

About SSE

SSE is a leading engineering consultancy, recognised for offering advanced, sustainable, and innovative solutions to landmark infrastructure and building projects. Our consultancy is rooted in excellence within structural and civil engineering, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented, and collaborative environment. By joining SSE, you will play a pivotal role in shaping resilient, future-ready communities and infrastructure that generate meaningful societal and environmental benefits.

Role Overview – Talent Acquisition Lead | Strategic Recruitment & Workforce Planning

We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative Talent Acquisition Lead to join us at SSE. This new position is key to driving our people strategy by leading and strengthening inclusive and high-impact recruitment practices. If you are passionate about attracting, engaging, and retaining talented professionals, with a commitment to equality, sustainability, and innovation, we would welcome your expertise and vision at SSE.

Main Responsibilities – Talent Acquisition Strategy, Employer Branding & Inclusive Hiring

• 1. Talent Acquisition Strategy & Planning

• • Develop and implement a forward-looking talent acquisition strategy aligned with SSE’s values, business growth, and inclusion priorities.

  • Partner with hiring managers and key stakeholders to understand workforce plans, project needs, and resourcing forecasts.

  • Lead end-to-end recruitment for technical and professional roles, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and an exceptional candidate experience.

  • Build and maintain robust talent pipelines to proactively meet current and future hiring needs.

  • Champion data-driven recruitment by tracking and reporting on key performance indicators, pipeline health, and market trends.

• 2. Employer Branding & Candidate Engagement

• • Drive and manage employer branding initiatives to position SSE as an employer of choice within the engineering and consultancy sectors.

  • Develop engaging campaigns across digital platforms, social media, and industry events to attract top and diverse talent.

  • Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to ensure a consistent and authentic employer brand message across all candidate touchpoints.

  • Represent SSE at career fairs, university partnerships, and industry forums to enhance brand visibility and strengthen external networks.

• 3. Inclusive Hiring & Diversity Initiatives

• • Embed diversity, equity, and inclusion principles across all recruitment processes, ensuring fair and objective selection.

  • Source and attract candidates from diverse backgrounds through targeted outreach and partnerships with inclusive networks.

  • Continuously review recruitment processes to identify and eliminate barriers to equitable access and participation.

• 4. Assessment & Selection Excellence

• • Provide expert guidance on best-practice assessment methods and structured interview techniques.

  • Support hiring managers in competency-based interviewing, evaluation consistency, and decision-making alignment.

  • Ensure all assessment tools and processes are valid, fair, and aligned with role requirements and SSE’s values.

• 5. Onboarding & Retention Support

• • Collaborate with the People & Culture team to deliver a seamless onboarding experience for new hires.

  • Ensure smooth handover from recruitment to onboarding to foster engagement and retention from day one.

  • Gather candidate and new joiner feedback to continuously enhance the hiring and onboarding experience.

What You Bring – Talent Acquisition Leadership, Candidate Experience & Stakeholder Engagement

• Experience leading end-to-end talent acquisition, ideally within engineering consultancy, professional services, or similar technical environments.
• Ability to develop and deliver inclusive recruitment strategies that attract high-calibre and diverse candidates across levels and disciplines.
• Track record of deploying direct sourcing, digital attraction, and employer branding tools for targeted talent engagement.
• Strong communicator and relationship builder, confident collaborating with stakeholders of all levels and backgrounds.
• Knowledge of UK employment legislation, assessment best practices, and bias mitigation principles.
• Proficient in using applicant tracking systems (ATS), data analytics, and recruitment technology (such as LinkedIn Recruiter, Workable, or similar).
• Results-oriented, adaptable, and proactive, with a passion for championing inclusive and innovative people solutions.
• Committed to upholding SSE’s values of integrity, inclusion, and continuous development for all team members.
• Relevant CIPD qualification or equivalent professional accreditation is desirable, but not essential.

Join SSE – Champion Inclusive Talent Acquisition & Support Sustainable Team Growth

If you are motivated to drive impactful talent strategies, support inclusive recruitment and contribute to a culture that values every individual, we want to hear from you. SSE welcomes talented professionals from all backgrounds and is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, supporting you to thrive and make a meaningful impact on our renowned organisation and the wider community.