​Lead Talent Acquisition Partner: Lead with purpose. Recruit with impact.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Talent Acquisition Partner to join us on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract and play a key role in shaping the future of our workforce.

In this role, you’ll provide leadership and direction to our Talent Acquisition team, delivering a proactive, customer‑focused recruitment service. You’ll work closely with hiring managers to anticipate future hiring needs, design effective attraction strategies, and ensure we bring in the right talent in an efficient, cost‑effective, and inclusive way.

You’ll also build strong internal and external partnerships, from hiring managers to recruitment agencies and job boards, helping ensure Avanti West Coast continues to attract, engage, and retain diverse, high‑quality talent.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead, coach and develop the Talent Acquisition team, creating a high‑performing, customer‑focused and inclusive culture.
• Partner with HR and hiring managers to understand workforce needs and ensure recruitment activity aligns with business priorities.
• Deliver creative and effective attraction strategies, building diverse talent pipelines and strengthening our employer brand.
• Oversee end‑to‑end recruitment excellence, from advert creation to assessments, ensuring legal compliance and best practice.
• Continuously improve recruitment outcomes, enhancing time‑to‑fill, candidate quality and the experience for both candidates and hiring managers.

What you’ll bring:

We’re looking for someone who can bring a blend of experience, curiosity and a collaborative mindset. You’ll ideally be:

• An innovative and creative thinker, offering fresh ideas, bold solutions and a data‑driven approach to improving how we attract and engage talent.
• Equipped with strong recruitment expertise, including a solid understanding of UK employment law and best practice.
• A proactive sourcing specialist, confident using a range of platforms, particularly LinkedIn, to build diverse, high‑quality pipelines.
• An excellent communicator and storyteller, able to craft compelling, inclusive content that attracts a wide range of candidates.
• An experienced end‑to‑end recruiter, skilled at managing multiple roles, influencing stakeholders and delivering an outstanding candidate experience.

 Please see the role profile for further details.

As well as working with a fantastic team you will also receive: 

• Final salary pension
• Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
• Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
• 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operators

Join us and drive the future of talent. Apply today.

Be You. With Us.

At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive.

We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.

We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.

Our Avanti West Coast Values

Passionate- We foster a culture where everyone is driven by our mission and are dedicated to achieving it together.

Committed- We are committed to safety, reliability and delivering the very best for our customers, our colleagues, stakeholders and the industry.

Integrity- We believe in taking responsibility for our reactions and decisions to ensure we do the right thing even when it is difficult to do and hold others accountable for doing the same.

Ambitious- We strive to be the best and are curious to new ways of working within our business and the wider industry.

Authentic- We are genuine, caring and grounded individuals that operate and communicate with openness, trust and clarity.