Overview

Talent Acquisition Manager – 6 month FTC

Location: Hybrid – London

Salary: From £43,000

Level: Individual contributor liaising with senior stakeholders across the business and mentoring junior members of the talent team.

About the Role

We are looking for a Talent Acquisition Manager to join our People Team at SMG. In this role, you’ll be the right-hand to our Senior TA Manager, leading high-impact recruitment across the UK and US—taking ownership of Director level + hires but flexing across all roles and levels where needed. You’ll play a key role in embedding data-driven, quality-first hiring practices, helping us attract diverse and exceptional talent while building strong credibility with senior stakeholders.

If you love variety, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and embrace change with energy, this could be your right role.

Why SMG?

At SMG, we hire for the future, which is fast-moving and changing shape. We’re looking for brilliant, diverse talent who want to grow with us—people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to learn, whether as specialists or across teams.

Our culture is everything. If you’re someone who stays honest, stays hungry, stays foolish, and has fun, you’ll feel right at home here.

We value those who take ownership of their growth and bring fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re committed to equity, inclusion, and building a place where everyone feels empowered to grow. At SMG, it’s not just about filling a role but building the future together.

We’re proud to be ranked the #1 Best Marketing and Media Agency and to have received World-Class accreditation from Best Companies.

Benefits

• 10% discretionary bonus
• £1,800 yearly wellbeing fund (on top of your salary!)
• Free Headspace subscription
• £500 yearly “Learning Fund” for learning
• 4 extra Wellbeing Days off per year
• Summer & Winter conferences + year-round celebrations
• 4pm finishes every Friday
• Flexible and hybrid working

*Please note some of the benefits only apply if you are employed for a 12 months +

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end recruitment across the UK and US, with a focus on Director+ roles
• Build strong, trusted relationships with hiring managers and provide expert advice
• Sourcing and pipelining talent from diverse backgrounds
• Enhance employer brand and EDI efforts through strategic recommendations
• Manage agency partners and review PSL performance
• Share weekly hiring metrics and insights to improve hiring outcomes
• Support wider People Team projects and mentor junior TA colleagues
• Contribute to employer brand, data reporting, and external partnerships

Qualifications

• Proven experience recruiting at Director level and above, ideally within marketing, media, or agency environments
• Strong sourcing and headhunting skills for senior/niche roles
• Excellent influencing skills with senior stakeholders up to board level
• A flair for recruitment analytics and turning data into insights
• Knowledge of inclusive hiring practices and employer branding strategies
• A collaborative, coaching-oriented leadership style
• An agile, proactive mindset with a passion for problem-solving

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading end-to-end recruitment across the UK and US, focusing on Director+ roles
• Building strong relationships with hiring managers and providing expert advice
• Sourcing and pipelining talent from diverse backgrounds
• Enhancing employer brand and EDI efforts through strategic recommendations
• Managing agency partners and reviewing PSL performance
• Sharing weekly hiring metrics and insights to improve hiring outcomes
• Supporting wider People Team projects and mentoring junior TA colleagues
• Contributing to employer brand, data reporting, and external partnerships