Head of Talent Acquisition UK & Ireland

Egis is a leading global architectural, consulting, construction engineering, operations and mobility services firm. We create and operate intelligent infrastructure and buildings that both respond to the climate emergency and contribute to balanced, sustainable and resilient development. Our 22,000 employees operate across over 100 countries, deploying their expertise to develop and deliver cutting-edge innovations and solutions for clients.

Through the wide range of our activities, we are central to the collective organisation of society and the living environment of citizens all over the world. In the UK and Ireland, we are delivering some of the most complex and high-profile infrastructure and energy projects, and we are on a significant growth trajectory. With plans to double group revenue over the next four years, we are investing in the people and systems to support this ambition.

To drive this forward, we are seeking a Head of Talent Acquisition, UK & Ireland, to lead our regional Talent Acquisition function, shaping the recruitment strategy to support sustainable, long-term growth.

Must have the right to work in the UK & Ireland

 

As the UK & Ireland Head of Talent Acquisition, you will lead a team of experienced Recruitment Business Partners, taking full accountability for recruitment strategy, workforce planning alignment, employer branding, and delivery performance across the region. You will also be responsible for the regional learning and development strategy, with an L&D Business Partner leading design and delivery.

You will act as a strategic advisor to senior stakeholders, ensure our hiring practices are future-focused and inclusive, and build a scalable recruitment operation capable of supporting the business as it grows.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

Develop and execute a comprehensive UK & Ireland recruitment strategy aligned to business growth plans and workforce needs across all business lines.

Public Partner with the UK&I Executive team, HR Directors, and Group Talent Acquisition to anticipate hiring demands and shape proactive resourcing strategies.

Lead workforce planning efforts in partnership with HRBPs and Business Line Directors, ensuring recruitment supports long-term capability building.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, inspire, and manage a team of experienced recruitment business partners, setting performance standards and fostering a high-performance culture.

Define KPIs and performance goals for the team, monitoring delivery, quality, and efficiency across all hiring activities.

Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to continually upskill the team.

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

Oversee all recruitment operations in the UK & Ireland, ensuring consistency, compliance, and high standards of candidate and stakeholder experience.

Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and technology solutions to optimise efficiency and scalability.

Drive a direct-sourcing-first approach to reduce reliance on agencies and improve cost-per-hire metrics.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

Act as the primary point of contact for senior stakeholders across the UK & Ireland for all matters related to recruitment performance, priorities, and challenges.

Collaborate with hiring managers and business leaders to ensure alignment of recruitment strategies with project and organisational needs.

Report regularly to UK&I leadership on hiring progress, risks, and market insights.

Data, Reporting & Compliance

Own recruitment reporting and analytics across UK & Ireland, producing monthly dashboards that highlight key metrics (time to hire, source mix, diversity, etc.).

Leverage data to inform decision-making and provide strategic insights to the business.

Ensure full compliance with UK and Irish employment laws, internal policies, and audit requirements.

Employer Branding & Market Positioning

Lead employer branding efforts across UK & Ireland to position Egis as an employer of choice in key markets.

Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop targeted attraction campaigns and recruitment content.

Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and talent availability to ensure our offering remains competitive.

Acquisition & Integration Support

Play a key role in integrating newly acquired businesses into Egis’ recruitment model, ensuring cultural alignment and consistency of process. Develop recruitment readiness plans for new entities and support the onboarding of local recruitment teams where applicable

Essential 

• Significant experience in recruitment leadership, ideally within a complex, technical, or engineering-led organisation. 
• Proven success in leading and developing high-performing recruitment teams, with oversight of large-scale hiring operations. 
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate business needs into effective talent acquisition strategies
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior and executive levels. 
• In-depth understanding of employment law, compliance, and recruitment best practices. 
• Proficient in using data to drive performance and decision-making.  
• Resilient, forward-thinking, and committed to continuous improvement and innovation.

Desired •

• Experience of using Smart Recruiters

 

We are committed to our planet

In each project we design, engineer and operate we care deeply about the legacy we’re leaving behind. As part of our team, you’ll have a unique opportunity to use your skills and expertise to shape a better future for our communities in the UK, and all around the globe.

Our commitment is translated in the work carried out by our Egis Foundation, which funds concrete actions to address the climate crisis and is focused on educational and social initiatives that will help in the responsible and sustainable shift towards a sustainable world.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and we strive to build a workforce that truly reflects the communities we represent. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and any other protected characteristic. If you decide to apply for an opportunity with us, your application will be assessed based purely on your experience, the essential and desirable criteria, and your suitability for the role. We value each and every one’s contribution as this builds our culture and means that if you work with us, you will be included, listened to, and respected.