Talent Acquisition Associate
| Posting date: | 07 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £27,319 to £29,588 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 June 2026 |
| Location: | Birmingham, West Midlands |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Aston University |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0660-26 |
Summary
Are you passionate about delivering exceptional recruitment experiences and helping people find the right place to thrive? Do you enjoy working in a fast‑paced, people-focused environment? If so, this could be the role for you. We are now recruiting for a Talent Acquisition Associate to join our team.
This role offers hybrid working in line with our Dynamic Working | Aston University
Aston University is committed to making our institution the best place to work as we deliver the ambitions of the Aston 2030 Strategy. Our people are central to our success, and we’re looking for a proactive and collaborative Talent Acquisition Associate to join our HR Operations team. In this role, you’ll support the full end‑to‑end recruitment life cycle across the University, ensuring a seamless, efficient, and engaging experience for candidates and hiring managers alike. You'll work closely with recruiting managers, HR colleagues, and external partners, becoming a trusted first point of contact for all things recruitment.
What You’ll Be Doing
Talent Acquisition & Recruitment Support
Support end‑to‑end recruitment activity—from vacancy approval to offer stage.
Build and nurture talent pipelines, engaging prospective and passive candidates.
Assist with advertising roles, screening applications, arranging interviews, and managing candidate communication.
Coordinate recruitment campaigns and contribute to continuous service improvement.
Advise hiring managers on recruitment processes, policies, and best practice.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across HR and the wider University.
Systems & Administration
Manage vacancy information within the Vacancy Management System.
Issue interview invitations and candidate communications.
Prepare interview materials and documentation for panels.
Ensure accurate updates throughout the recruitment process.
Candidate & Stakeholder Experience
Act as a key point of contact for candidates and hiring managers.
Coordinate interviews, logistics, and panel arrangements.
Ensure an inclusive, positive, and professional experience for all.
Pre‑Employment Checks & Onboarding
Coordinate reference checks, right to work, DBS, medicals, and qualification verification.
Prepare contracts using standard templates and ensure accuracy of employment terms.
Support onboarding processes, including setting up new employees on CORE.
Assist with casual worker appointments.
Immigration & Compliance
Work with the Recruitment and Immigration Advisor on visa-related documentation.
Maintain accurate audit files to support UKVI compliance.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve processes and candidate experience.
Support University-wide recruitment events such as careers fairs.
Provide flexible support during peak periods across the HR Administration team.
What We’re Looking For
Essential
Experience delivering end‑to‑end recruitment in a large, complex organisation
Experience of building and nurturing talent pipelines, engaging prospective and passive candidates.
Strong communication skills with a track record of working effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Experience of using ATS or recruitment systems.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment.
Knowledge of recruitment best practice, employment law principles, RTW and DBS checks.
Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a customer-focused mindset.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
CIPD Level 3 (or working towards), or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Experience of UKVI processes.
Experience working in Higher Education.
Benefits and Rewards:
We offer a benefits package which spans the full colleague life cycle and includes:
Enjoy a generous leave package with 25 days of bookable annual leave, plus 13 bank holidays and University closure days—perfect for extended breaks over Easter and Christmas.
Hybrid working model designed to support a healthy work–life balance
Recognition for achievement and service
Financial and lifestyle benefits such as pensions, discounts, and well-being plans
Health and well-being support, including EAP, and gym access
Community initiatives that encourage inclusion and volunteering
Professional and personal development opportunities
This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for new applicants to the Skilled Worker visa route. See here for information about Skilled Worker eligibility criteria: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
This role offers hybrid working in line with our Dynamic Working | Aston University
Aston University is committed to making our institution the best place to work as we deliver the ambitions of the Aston 2030 Strategy. Our people are central to our success, and we’re looking for a proactive and collaborative Talent Acquisition Associate to join our HR Operations team. In this role, you’ll support the full end‑to‑end recruitment life cycle across the University, ensuring a seamless, efficient, and engaging experience for candidates and hiring managers alike. You'll work closely with recruiting managers, HR colleagues, and external partners, becoming a trusted first point of contact for all things recruitment.
What You’ll Be Doing
Talent Acquisition & Recruitment Support
Support end‑to‑end recruitment activity—from vacancy approval to offer stage.
Build and nurture talent pipelines, engaging prospective and passive candidates.
Assist with advertising roles, screening applications, arranging interviews, and managing candidate communication.
Coordinate recruitment campaigns and contribute to continuous service improvement.
Advise hiring managers on recruitment processes, policies, and best practice.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across HR and the wider University.
Systems & Administration
Manage vacancy information within the Vacancy Management System.
Issue interview invitations and candidate communications.
Prepare interview materials and documentation for panels.
Ensure accurate updates throughout the recruitment process.
Candidate & Stakeholder Experience
Act as a key point of contact for candidates and hiring managers.
Coordinate interviews, logistics, and panel arrangements.
Ensure an inclusive, positive, and professional experience for all.
Pre‑Employment Checks & Onboarding
Coordinate reference checks, right to work, DBS, medicals, and qualification verification.
Prepare contracts using standard templates and ensure accuracy of employment terms.
Support onboarding processes, including setting up new employees on CORE.
Assist with casual worker appointments.
Immigration & Compliance
Work with the Recruitment and Immigration Advisor on visa-related documentation.
Maintain accurate audit files to support UKVI compliance.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve processes and candidate experience.
Support University-wide recruitment events such as careers fairs.
Provide flexible support during peak periods across the HR Administration team.
What We’re Looking For
Essential
Experience delivering end‑to‑end recruitment in a large, complex organisation
Experience of building and nurturing talent pipelines, engaging prospective and passive candidates.
Strong communication skills with a track record of working effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Experience of using ATS or recruitment systems.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment.
Knowledge of recruitment best practice, employment law principles, RTW and DBS checks.
Excellent IT skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a customer-focused mindset.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
CIPD Level 3 (or working towards), or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Experience of UKVI processes.
Experience working in Higher Education.
Benefits and Rewards:
We offer a benefits package which spans the full colleague life cycle and includes:
Enjoy a generous leave package with 25 days of bookable annual leave, plus 13 bank holidays and University closure days—perfect for extended breaks over Easter and Christmas.
Hybrid working model designed to support a healthy work–life balance
Recognition for achievement and service
Financial and lifestyle benefits such as pensions, discounts, and well-being plans
Health and well-being support, including EAP, and gym access
Community initiatives that encourage inclusion and volunteering
Professional and personal development opportunities
This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for new applicants to the Skilled Worker visa route. See here for information about Skilled Worker eligibility criteria: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.