Associate Vacancy Management Partner Review

My experience with Hays has been outstanding. From the application process through to the interview, onboarding, and settling in as a new starter, everything was seamless and well-structured. The management team provided clear communication and robust support at every stage, which made the transition smooth and stress-free. I’m excited to grow and progress my career with Hays. A special thank you to the Talent Acquisition Specialist for my role, whose professionalism and guidance ensured an exceptional onboarding experience.

In my role as an Associate Vacancy Management Partner, I am responsible for managing the end-to-end recruitment process for the Financial Conduct Authority account. This involves overseeing vacancy management, liaising with stakeholders and hiring managers to align on requirements, and ensuring service delivery meets agreed SLAs and targets. I work closely with sourcing and recruitment coordination teams to provide a seamless and positive experience for candidates, while maintaining compliance and efficiency throughout the process. What I enjoy most about this role is the collaborative nature of working with diverse stakeholders, the opportunity to optimise processes, and the satisfaction of delivering a high-quality recruitment experience that positively impacts both candidates and the organisation.

My role as an Associate Vacancy Management Partner provides a strong sense of contribution and value within the team. By managing the recruitment process for the Financial Conduct Authority account, I play a critical role in meeting SLAs and ensuring a seamless candidate experience, which directly supports client satisfaction and organizational goals. Collaborating closely with stakeholders, hiring managers, and internal teams allows me to influence outcomes and drive efficiency. The trust placed in me to manage key processes, combined with the recognition I receive for delivering results, reinforces that my work is meaningful and appreciated. This motivates me to continue adding value and striving for excellence in everything I do.

While my current compensation package, including salary and benefits, is fair and provides a reasonable level of remuneration for the work I do, I believe there is room for improvement. The package could be more competitive, particularly in terms of salary and bonus structure, to better reflect the responsibilities and impact of the role. That said, I appreciate the existing benefits and overall support provided, which contribute positively to my experience.

Working for Hays and managing the Financial Conduct Authority account has significantly expanded and strengthened my existing recruitment skillset. This role provides exposure to the financial sector, which is invaluable for my professional development and future career progression. The experience I am gaining in stakeholder management, compliance, and process optimisation positions me well for advancement into senior roles within recruitment or HR. Additionally, the knowledge and expertise I am building could open doors to specialised areas such as compliance, sourcing, or broader HR functions across different sectors. Overall, this role is equipping me with transferable skills and industry insights that will serve as a strong foundation for long-term career growth.

I have received strong support from HR, my line manager, which has helped me settle into my role effectively. HR provided clear guidance during the onboarding process and ensured all administrative aspects were handled smoothly. My line manager has been approachable and proactive in offering feedback and clarity on expectations, which has been invaluable for my development. While the overall support has been positive, I believe there is room for improvement in structured mentorship and ongoing career development conversations. More regular check-ins focused on long-term growth and formalized mentoring opportunities would further enhance the experience and help me progress confidently in my career.

Overall, I feel my work-life balance is well supported by the current hybrid working policy, which allows flexibility and helps maintain both personal time and wellbeing. The ability to work remotely for part of the week has been beneficial for managing commitments outside of work and reducing commuting stress. However, with the upcoming change from two to three office days, I am still considering how this will impact my routine and overall balance. While the policy remains reasonable, I believe continued flexibility and open communication around hybrid arrangements will be important to ensure that wellbeing and productivity are maintained.

The organisational culture at Hays is generally positive, professional, and welcoming, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and achieving results. The atmosphere is inclusive to an extent, and the hybrid working policy reflects flexibility and consideration for employee wellbeing. However, I feel that Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) could be given greater prominence within the culture. While there are initiatives in place, they do not seem as visible or embedded as other aspects of the organisation’s values. Strengthening EDI efforts and making them more central to the culture would further enhance inclusivity and create an even more supportive environment for all employees.

While there are policies and some efforts in place, they are not as visible or embedded into the culture as they could be. Increasing awareness, providing regular training, and creating more opportunities for open dialogue would help strengthen these initiatives and demonstrate a deeper commitment to EDI and accessibility. Overall, progress has been made, but there is room for improvement to make these values more central and impactful.

Yes

Yes, I would recommend Hays to a friend.
The organisation offers a structured recruitment process, strong onboarding support, and a collaborative work environment. The hybrid working policy provides flexibility, and there are good opportunities for skill development and career progression. While there is room for improvement in areas such as compensation, EDI visibility, and CSR initiatives, the overall experience has been positive and supportive. For someone looking to grow within recruitment or HR, Hays is a solid choice.

The role has largely matched my expectations based on the recruitment process. The responsibilities outlined during the hiring stage—such as vacancy management, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring a seamless candidate experience—align closely with my day-to-day work. Additionally, the exposure to the Financial Conduct Authority account and the collaborative nature of the role were accurately represented. While there have been some natural learning curves, the overall scope and opportunities provided are consistent with what was communicated, which has reinforced my confidence in the role and the organisation.