Talent Acquisition Partner - Finance & Tech

6 month Fixed Term Contract

Must have experience in recruiting in both Finance & Tech

At WHSmith, our people are at the heart of everything we do. They go the extra mile for our customers and enable our growth.

Our People team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing to do their best work. As a Talent Acquisition Partner, you will collaborate with Finance, Technology, HR, and preferred suppliers to deliver a best-in-class talent acquisition experience, ensuring WH Smith hires the right people to drive business growth. You will source, attract, and onboard diverse, high-quality talent across all levels in Finance and Technology.

You will use direct sourcing, networks, distribution channels, and social media to build strong internal and external talent pipelines. Staying current on market trends and employment law, you will proactively drive recruitment strategies and fill roles efficiently. Demonstrating a strong track record in direct sourcing to reduce dependency on external agencies, you will act as a brand ambassador, protecting and enhancing WH Smith’s reputation and supporting relevant tech projects. You will also provide external talent insights to inform future hiring strategies.

What you will be doing:

• Design creative, cost-effective sourcing strategies to attract Finance and Technology talent, managing the full recruitment cycle from interview to onboarding.
• Leverage external talent insights to inform hiring decisions and stakeholder discussions.
• Build pipelines of passive candidates for in-demand Finance and Technology skillsets.
• Monitor and evaluate preferred supplier performance and value.
• Advise hiring managers on best-practice recruitment aligned with business needs and future projects.
• Support and engage in Finance, Technology, and broader HR initiatives as needed.
• Partner with HR, L&D, and the People team to ensure accurate execution of all TA admin tasks.
• Resolve operational issues affecting recruitment delivery.

What we are looking for:

• Strong senior stakeholder management skills with a collaborative, communicative approach, and the confidence to influence and challenge decisions.
• Experience in recruiting for both Tech and Finance roles within the retail sector.
• Creative and logical problem-solving skills with a focus on results.
• Proactive, adaptable, and able to prioritize in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Skilled in managing preferred suppliers, evaluating niche expertise, and performance.
• Able to juggle multiple priorities and engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
• High-energy, self-motivated, capable of working independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Flexible team player, supporting Finance, Tech, and other business areas as needed.
• Strong attention to detail, with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Experienced in developing recruitment best practices and using LinkedIn/social media to source talent and promote the employer brand.

How we reward our teams:

• Hybrid Working Model - 3 days in the office
• 4 pm Friday Finish
• Flexible Working
• 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays
• Family Friendly Leave
• Company Pension scheme
• Competitive Salary
• Staff Discount Card for stores and online

About us:

Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown into a globally recognized brand present in over 30 countries. We are a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues committed to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people, and communities.

Our UK Travel office is based in central London near Liverpool Street Station. We thrive on pace, collaboration, and innovation, fostering an entrepreneurial culture. It’s ideal for those who use their initiative and embrace new challenges.

At WHSmith, we’re dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and excel. We welcome applications regardless of background, age, disability, gender, race, or other characteristics. We are open to flexible working arrangements and willing to provide adjustments during the selection process if needed.