Talent Acquisition and Onboarding Specialist

Hours: 30-40 hours per week

Location: Ravenshead, Nottingham

Reports To: Head of People and Culture

Annual Leave: 28 days inclusive of BH but rise with service

Contract: Initially 1 year contract

As our Talent Acquisition and Onboarding Specialist, you’ll be the driving force behind attracting, recruiting, and onboarding amazing talent across Cherubs Nurseries. In the fast-paced world of childcare recruitment, you’ll need to be proactive, people-focused, and ready to make things happen.

You’ll lead the full recruitment journey, support the wider People Team, and play a key role in shaping workforce plans as Cherubs continues to grow. Working closely with the Head of People and Nursery Managers, you’ll help build strong, nurturing teams while championing Safer Recruitment and compliance throughout the process. Working as part of the People and Culture Team, you will be required to support the wider functions of the team to cover annual leave or through busier periods.

Due to the changing nature of the service we provide, this job description will not be an exhaustive list of all your duties. Cherubs Nurseries reserves the right to amend this job description should it be deemed necessary. You have a personal and professional responsibility to inform us immediately of any change in your circumstances that might affect your suitability to work with children.

Description of Duties:

Child Centric

· Lead a proactive, professional, and nurturing end-to-end recruitment process that attracts high-quality individuals, dedicated to educating and caring for children.

· Deliver an exceptional candidate and onboarding experience that reflects the warm, supportive culture of Cherubs Nurseries for both children and families.

· Ensure all safer recruitment practices are followed, maintaining full compliance with safeguarding, DBS, references, and pre-employment checks.

· Recruit individuals who align with the Cherubs ethos and are passionate about creating positive outcomes for children.

· Support new team members through a welcoming induction journey, helping them feel confident, valued, and prepared from day one.

· Review qualifications to ensure candidates meet full and relevant sector requirements for working with children.

Play to Win

· Drive a sector-leading talent acquisition strategy that supports the continued growth and success of Cherubs Nurseries.

· Collaborate with the Head of People and Nursery Managers to implement workforce and succession planning aligned with projected occupancy and company growth.

· Create engaging and accurate job adverts that attract top talent while promoting the Cherubs brand and values.

· Analyse recruitment trends, competitor activity, and local market data to recommend improvements to recruitment strategies and pay bandings.

· Continuously review and improve recruitment and onboarding systems to increase efficiency, reduce workload, and enhance candidate experience.

· Lead and support recruitment events, careers fairs, and open days to strengthen Cherubs Nurseries’ reputation as an employer of choice.

· Contribute to employee engagement, retention, and wellbeing initiatives through innovative ideas and continuous improvement.

Communicate with Purpose

· Act as a professional and approachable first point of contact for all recruitment and People related enquiries via telephone and email.

· Build strong professional relationships with candidates, new employees, Head of Nursery/ Line Managers, and wider teams through clear and timely communication.

· Maintain accurate recruitment records, onboarding documentation, and system updates with attention to detail and confidentiality.

· Communicate regularly with the Head of People and Culture regarding offers of employment, contracts, recruitment activity, and onboarding progress.

· Gather feedback from new employees and provide insights and recommendations to improve the employee experience.

· Promote and celebrate new team members across company platforms in line with branding guidelines.

Look Out for Each Other

· Support the wider People Team during busy periods and annual leave, contributing positively to team success.

· Work collaboratively with Payroll, Training and Development, and operational teams to ensure a smooth employee journey from recruitment to induction.

· Coordinate onboarding administration, including induction dates, mandatory training, ID cards, security passes, and uniform orders.

· Support the delivery of employee engagement initiatives and celebration events, recognising achievements and important occasions across the company calendar.

· Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive team environment where employees feel valued and able to thrive.

· Take responsibility for safeguarding and maintaining suitability to work with children at all times.

Seek Out Solutions

· Identify opportunities to improve recruitment, onboarding, and People and Culture Team processes through innovation and best practice.

· Implement systems and procedures that enhance efficiency, compliance, and employee experience across the business.

· Stay informed on current legislation, safer recruitment guidance, and sector developments to ensure ongoing compliance and excellence.

· Use recruitment data and KPI reporting to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.

· Develop professional knowledge and skills through ongoing training, research, and industry awareness.

· Take an active role in delivering projects and initiatives that support the long-term success and growth of Cherubs Nurseries.

Your Qualifications and Experience

· At least 2 years’ experience in a similar role. (Essential)

· CIPD level 3 (desirable, not essential or willingness to undertake)

· Strong record recruiting talent. (Essential)

· Experience using ATS and various Jobs Boards (Desirable)

· Experience completing Workforce and Succession Planning is (Desirable)

· Have a basic understanding of Employment Law.

Skills and Attributes

· Superb communication skills; over the phone, in person and via email.

· Ability to make strong professional relationships, and rapport with candidates.

· Attention to detail is essential.

· Ability to work in-line with Safer Recruitment Guidelines to safeguard children.

· Ability to work face paced, self-motivated and passionate.

· In-depth knowledge of recruitment procedures, tools and tips to be sector leading.

· A professional and commercial approach to HR, with the ability to deliver high employee satisfaction.

· An interest and understanding of the Early Years/Childcare sector would be an advantage.

· An ability to drive, use of car and willingness travel to settings across Nottinghamshire is essential.