Talent Acquisition Lead

Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

4/16/2025

hedgehog lab is a globally renowned digital product consultancy with two decades of experience and a reputation as true masters of our craft. Proudly operating from the heart of Northern England, we are on a mission to digitally craft a better world by delivering transformative solutions that align seamlessly with strategic visions.

Our culture thrives on turning constraints into catalysts for innovation, empowering our team to unleash their full potential and deliver unparalleled value to our clients. Beyond our award-winning work, we’re also known for our Flexa-certified company culture.

We’re looking for a passionate Talent Acquisition Lead who thrives in an environment where expertise, curiosity, and impact converge. If you’re ready to help shape the future and create digital products that leave a lasting legacy, we’d love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

Our Mission: To become the most respected global digital product consultancy by digitally crafting a better world.

Your Mission: As Talent Acquisition Lead, you’ll shape and scale our hiring approach to support fast-paced growth without compromising on quality. Reporting to the Head of People, you’ll build repeatable, values-led processes that enable high-velocity recruitment while maintaining a brilliant candidate experience.

Aims

• Balance speed with quality, delivering hires efficiently without compromising on candidate experience or culture fit.
• Deliver an exceptional candidate and employee experience.
• Embed a consistent, values aligned, and effective hiring process.
• Support leaders to grow high performing, diverse, and engaged teams.
• Champion our employer brand and enhance visibility in target markets.
  
  

Measure Of Success

• Reduction in time to hire across all roles.
• Maintenance of a high offer acceptance rate.
• Decrease in agency reliance and contractor spend by building a robust talent pipeline for priority roles and future growth.
• High candidate and hiring manager satisfaction scores throughout the recruitment and onboarding journey.
  
  

Day To Day

• Lead our end-to-end hiring processes, working closely with hiring managers and the Talent team to deliver high-quality hires at pace.
• Forecast workforce needs and build proactive hiring plans in partnership with hiring managers and the operations team.
• Drive high-volume, multi-role hiring campaigns in collaboration with hiring managers and the wider operations team, ensuring speed, rigour, and candidate experience remain top priorities.
• Design and implement scalable tools, systems, and processes that support our people strategy.
• Champion diversity, equity and inclusion across all aspects of talent attraction and development.
• Lead on employer branding and recruitment marketing in collaboration with marketing and leadership teams.
• Build future pipelines through early careers hiring, internships, and strategic partnerships.
• Manage, support, and develop the Talent Acquisition team, fostering alignment, performance, and continuous improvement.
  
  

Growth/Development Opportunities

• Shape and lead the evolution of the talent function at a growing, mission-led consultancy.
• Contribute to strategic people initiatives across leadership, development, and global alignment.
• Gain exposure to cross-functional business priorities and play a critical role in our growth journey.
  
  

About You

• You have significant experience (5+ years) in talent acquisition within the technology sector and also preferably in a consultancy environment.
• You've successfully led or managed a talent acquisition team, and know how to support and develop others.
• You have a track record of designing and delivering effective, inclusive recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Commercially astute, data-driven, and focused on impact.
• A natural relationship builder and an exceptional communicator.
• Passionate about people, culture, and inclusion.
• Adaptable, thriving in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

Note: Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often refrain from applying to positions unless they meet all the specified criteria. If you believe you possess the necessary qualities for this role but do not fulfil every requirement, don't hesitate to apply. We actively encourage you to showcase your skills and what you can contribute.

Our Interview Process

Stage 1️⃣ – Introductory chat with a member of our Head of People (30 minutes)

Stage 2️⃣ – Culture interview with members of the People team (45 minutes)

Stage 3️⃣ – Short task presentation and final skills based interview with Head of People (60 minutes)

Why hedgehog lab?

• Rated #1 in the UK on Clutch for mobile development.
• Our People are our greatest asset, and we are so proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work, as rated by 93% of our business.
• We’re a fully Flexified Employer, certified by Flexa. We know a one size fits all approach doesn’t work for everyone, we work with our employees to establish a model that benefits both parties.
• We received the Advanced Award in the North of Tyne Combined Authority Good Work Pledge.
• Check out our Glassdoor reviews!
• Inclusive environment. We never discriminate based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, genetics, disability or age. From menopausal support to neurodiversity adjustments, we’ll continue to foster an inclusive culture at the lab where everyone can let their authentic selves shine.
  
  

What We Offer

🏖️ 36 days paid holidays (UK), including bank holidays.

🏡 Flexible working environment. We understand that not one approach fits everyone. Whether they are working from the office or home, we fully support our team in whichever way they prefer to work.

👶 Enhanced parental policies.

🧠 A transparent and open company culture where politics are shunned, and everyone works as a team.

📖 Annual learning & development budget (Global) plus 4 days L&D leave, which renews every year

💙Annual wellbeing budget (Global) plus 2 paid wellbeing days to use as you feel fit

💌 Free therapy sessions with Spill (Global). Mental health is paramount to us. Our partner, Spill, is a Slack-integrated therapy app available to all our staff at no extra cost

💰 Bippit financial wellbeing service (UK) gives everyone access to a professionally-qualified financial coach, tools and resources to alleviate money stresses.

🏥 Bupa health plan (UK). This cash plan enables UK employees to claim back cash back for a selection of routine health expenses

🐴 1 volunteering day a year. Volunteer and contribute to a cause of your choice (Global)

🥳 Monthly payday socials and annual Summer and Christmas parties. We also like to celebrate important cultural milestones.

🚴‍♀️ Cycle-to-Work scheme (UK)

Diversity & inclusion statement

We strongly believe that having diversity within our team is integral to doing our best work and creating the most innovative products for our customers. We encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply to our roles.

We’re a family-friendly employer with a culture based on trust, autonomy and flexibility. With a current 85% FlexScore®, we’re learning as we go. By listening to our team and always asking for feedback, we can continue to improve and offer a working environment worthy of attracting the most creative and dedicated people in technology.

If you require any adjustments to submit an application for a vacancy, or if you require any reasonable adjustment should you be invited to interview, please let us know.

For any questions about this role or future opportunities, please contact [email protected]