**What you'll bring to the team** We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our UK Hub team in Basingstoke. As a Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist focusing on professional and salaried recruitment across the UK. You will lead the charge in ensuring a seamless hiring manager experience and crafting effective recruitment strategies, from candidate sourcing and attraction to screening and presentation of top-tier talent. Working closely with Hiring Managers, you'll take proactive steps to address the business's evolving needs while actively contributing to the cultivation of a robust talent pipeline. Your pivotal role will not only ensure Merlin attracts and retains top-notch employees but also fosters a culture of continuous talent development and growth. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES *Partner closely with hiring managers to understand role requirements, timelines, and success profiles for each vacancy. *Serve as primary point of contact for candidates throughout the process, ensuring positive and professional experience. *Maintain accurate and timely data in the Applicant Tracking System (iCIMS) and support reporting requirements. *Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, from role briefing and advertising to sourcing, screening, interviewing, offer and onboarding management. **Qualifications & Experience** *Experience managing end-to-end recruitment processes for professional or salaried roles, ideally within a large or multi-site organisation. *Familiarity with sourcing techniques and tools, such as job boards, LinkedIn *Strong candidate screening and interviewing skills, able to assess suitability against role requirements *Proven ability to build positive working relationships with hiring managers and HR colleagues *Comfortable using Applicant Tracking Systems (ideally iCIMS or similar) and ensuring accurate data management throughout the recruitment process *Awareness of relevant recruitment regulations and best practices to ensure a positive and compliant candidate experience *Highly organised, with strong communication skills and a proactive, solutions-focused approach **Benefits** We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 33 days’ holiday including bank holidays, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, an Enjoy the Ride pass which entitles you and 5 loved ones unlimited entry into your regional attractions, 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO, plus lots more! **Pay Range** Competitive Submit a Referral (https://careers-uk-merlinentertainments.icims.com/jobs/9706/lead-talent-acquisition-specialist/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in\_iframe=1&hashed=-1834381883) At Merlin we welcome the world to our magical attractions and resorts every day and we want to reflect that same multicultural mix inside our business too. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where people can be themselves, have the same opportunities and thrive together. Because at Merlin, everyone matters! Together, we work to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, no matter their age, race, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Although we understand that we'll always be learning and growing, we aim to be the most inclusive and flexible employer in our industry. **Location (Country-County-City)** _UK-Hampshire-Basingstoke_ **Job Locations** _UK-Hampshire-Basingstoke_ **ID** _2025-9706_ **Employment Type** _Full-Time_ **Offer/Contract Type** _No End Date_ **Location Name** _The Merlin Hub Basingstoke_