Job summary

We're looking for an experienced and passionate recruitment leader to join our People Directorate as Recruitment Manager on a 12-month fixed term basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-performing recruitment service that supports the attraction and onboarding of talented people across our Trust. You'll play a key role in developing our people, improving our processes and ensuring an outstanding experience for candidates, hiring managers and new starters alike.

Reporting to the Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Manager, you'll lead two Recruitment Team Leaders and our wider recruitment administration team, creating a supportive, high-performing environment where people can thrive. We're looking for someone who leads with compassion, inspires others to achieve their best, and is committed to delivering exceptional customer service.

As a trusted recruitment expert, you'll work closely with recruiting managers, HR colleagues and key stakeholders across the organisation to ensure recruitment activity is compliant, efficient and focused on delivering results. You'll also have the opportunity to lead projects, implement new initiatives and help shape the future of recruitment across the Trust.

We offer hybrid working with four days each week in the office in Reading with occasional travel to other Berkshire Healthcare sites.

Main duties of the job

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Lead and inspire a high-performing recruitment team.

• Deliver a compliant, efficient and customer-focused recruitment service.

• Partner with managers and HR colleagues to support successful hiring.

• Drive recruitment improvement projects and service innovation.

• Use data and insight to monitor performance and improve outcomes.

• Ensure an excellent onboarding experience for new starters.

• Develop recruitment solutions that help attract and retain talented people across the Trust.

• Provide expert recruitment advice, training and support to managers.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

05 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CS421

Job locations

57-59 Bath Road

Reading

RG30 2BA

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• Significant recruitment experience and a strong understanding of recruitment best practice.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating teams to deliver excellent results.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence others.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, drive service improvements and deliver a high-quality recruitment service.

Desirable: Experience using Trac and other NHS recruitment systems.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise thatAItools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants.However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process.AImust not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to email: [email protected] wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for this role: Significant recruitment experience and a strong understanding of recruitment best practice. Experience leading, developing and motivating teams to deliver excellent results. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence others. Ability to manage competing priorities, drive service improvements and deliver a high-quality recruitment service. Desirable: Experience using Trac and other NHS recruitment systems. For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise thatAItools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants.However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process.AImust not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted. Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to email: [email protected] wholl be delighted to help. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education, qualifications or training

Essential

• First degree or equivalent skills gained through any combination of alternative study and experience

Desirable

• CIPD qualification or evidence of study towards CIPD

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Evidence of commitment to ongoing continuous professional development

Previous Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing and leading a team and ensuring that deadlines and key performance indicators are met.
• Experience of managing a heavy workload and prioritising the work of others.
• Previous experience of working in a recruitment function, and therefore an ability to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the processes used.

Desirable

• Previous NHS recruitment experience

Person Specification Education, qualifications or training Essential First degree or equivalent skills gained through any combination of alternative study and experience Desirable CIPD qualification or evidence of study towards CIPD Continuous Professional Development Essential Evidence of commitment to ongoing continuous professional development Previous Experience Essential Experience of managing and leading a team and ensuring that deadlines and key performance indicators are met. Experience of managing a heavy workload and prioritising the work of others. Previous experience of working in a recruitment function, and therefore an ability to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the processes used. Desirable Previous NHS recruitment experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

57-59 Bath Road

Reading

RG30 2BA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

57-59 Bath Road

Reading

RG30 2BA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)