As a Talent Acquisition Manager, you will make an impact by shaping high-quality hiring outcomes for mid-to-senior Consulting and Project & Program Management roles across EMEA and, where needed, global priority hiring. You will be a valued member of the Global Consulting and PPM Talent Acquisition team and work collaboratively with senior business stakeholders, hiring managers, sourcing partners, workforce planning, HR partners and global TA colleagues.
This is a player-coach opportunity for someone who enjoys staying close to delivery while also coaching, developing and enabling recruiters. You will bring a consultative, insight-led approach to hiring, using market intelligence, analytics, AI-enabled recruiting practices and strong governance to build thoughtful talent solutions in a competitive Consulting and PPM talent market.
In this role, you will:
• Act as a trusted talent advisor to Consulting and PPM leaders, building hiring strategies aligned to business priorities, role scope, market realities and workforce plans.
• Own and deliver the full recruitment lifecycle for mid-to-senior level roles, from intake and calibration through offer and onboarding handoff.
• Operate as a player-coach by personally driving critical hires while coaching TA partners on intake quality, slate strategy, stakeholder alignment and delivery discipline.
• Use market intelligence, ATS insights, CRM data, AI-enabled recruiting tools and sourcing automation to improve pipeline quality, hiring speed and predictability.
• Lead disciplined sourcing and market engagement strategies across direct and cost-effective channels, including referrals, internal mobility, talent communities, market mapping, LinkedIn Recruiter and CRM campaigns.
• Ensure strong recruitment governance, data accuracy, offer approval discipline, process adherence and compliance across supported markets.
• Contribute to employer branding and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen candidate experience, simplify processes and promote inclusive hiring.
Work model
We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 2 days a week in our London office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.
What you need to have to be considered
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• In depth recruitment experience within management consulting, professional services
• Previous in-depth in-house talent acquisition or executive search environments.
• Proven experience hiring mid-to-senior level consulting or professional services talent, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders through data, insight and clear recommendations.
• Experience leading, coaching or enabling recruiters or TA partners, including prioritization, delivery discipline, performance support and team wellbeing.
• Strong working knowledge of ATS platforms, CRM tools, AI-enabled sourcing technologies, LinkedIn Recruiter and data-driven recruitment reporting.
• Ability to manage ambiguity, balance competing priorities and deliver independently while maintaining a high-quality, inclusive and transparent candidate experience.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and executive-ready storytelling skills.
• Working knowledge of EMEA employment laws, hiring regulations and recruitment compliance requirements across supported markets.
• Willingness to work UK time zone hours, with limited travel as required.
These will help you stand out
• Recruitment experience directly supporting Consulting, Project & Program Management, transformation, technology services or other complex professional services functions.
• Experience recruiting across multiple geographies and matrixed organizational structures.
• A strong consulting mindset, with the ability to translate market data and hiring metrics into practical recommendations for senior leaders.
• Experience improving recruiting processes, candidate experience, governance, sourcing effectiveness or recruitment marketing outcomes.
• Personal leadership aligned to Cognizant values: Work as One, Raise the Bar, Dare to Innovate, Do the Right Thing and Own It.
We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] for roles based in the Americas or [email protected] for roles based in India.
