Talent Officer - School Recruitment

Job DescriptionAldar Education is currently seeking Talent Officers - School Recruitment to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.As the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. We offer a range of brands for all learners in our community, from nursery through to adult education. We offer the broadest choice of curricula. In the largest number of locations in Abu Dhabi.Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, now supporting over 38,000 students in 31 schools and a growing network of almost 5,000 educators, with over 100 nationalities, offering a wide range of curricula and ancillary services such as a Teacher Training Academy.Working collaboratively, our education network’s purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government. Today, Aldar Education’s efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.The role includes the end-to-end recruitment of school talent requirements by subject. This includes close collaboration with hiring managers to support education recruitment cycles, and provision of strategic recruitment support.The role also serves as a subject specialist in education recruitment, advising schools on best practices, contributing to recruitment strategy, and supporting hiring managers with selection, onboarding, and workforce planning.The Talent Officer ensures recruitment documentation, contracts, compliance, and reporting are completed in a timely, accurate, and transparent manner, aligned with policy and annual recruitment timelines.ResponsibilitiesMain Duties:Lead the end-to-end recruitment process for assigned subjects, ensuring alignment with workforce plans.Serve as a trusted advisor for Principals and hiring managers, supporting decision-making, interview coordination, and workforce planning.Act as a subject specialist recruiter for a designated curriculum phase or subject (e.g., Secondary English, STEM, Early Years), providing recruitment expertise and candidate recommendations across the Operated Schools.Ensure timely issuance, collection, and filing of contracts and supporting documentation for all hires.Maintain recruitment trackers and dashboards and submit regular reports on vacancy status, hiring progress, and recruitment KPIs.Ensure full compliance with safer recruitment practices, including document verification, references, background checks, and regulatory requirements (ADEK, KHDA).Liaise with internal HR teams and the Government Relations (GR) department to ensure efficient processing of visas, labour contracts, and onboarding procedures.Specific Duties:Create and update job descriptions in collaboration with hiring managers and subject leads.Develop and maintain strong pipelines of qualified candidates for key teaching and support roles.Ownership of initial screening and shortlist process based on job criteria and school preferences.Advise and guide hiring managers in structured interview practices and scoring rubrics.Ownership and delivery of selection processes, including participation in interviews, interview scheduling, panel preparation, feedback collection and post-interview decision-making.Design and deliver employer branding initiatives to promote Aldar Education as a leading employer of choice in the education sector.Attend recruitment fairs, careers expos, and online talent events to proactively source teachers.Prepare and send contracts to selected candidates and follow up for timely return and completion.Collect and verify all onboarding documents (passport, attested qualifications, safeguarding checks, references).Maintain accurate recruitment records, interview notes, offer letters, and visa application materials.Maintain candidate data in the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and ensure compliance with data protection policies.Ensure positive candidate experience and timely communication throughout the recruitment process.Submit weekly vacancy and recruitment status reports to P&C leadership and school Principals.Share internal vacancies transparently across the group to promote internal mobility.Collaborate with marketing on job advert content, visual campaigns, and social media outreach.Train new Talent Team members on recruitment systems, portals, and best practices.Provide input on improvements to recruitment processes, policies, and candidate experience.QualificationsBachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management or related fieldAdditional HR/Talent qualifications are welcomedA minimum of 2-3 years in recruitment or HR Experience of working in the UK, US or UAE education sector is highly advantageousThe ability to communicate in English (written and verbal communication) is essentialBilingual candidates (Arabic/English) are encouraged to applyJob specific knowledge & skills:Proven ability to build strong, positive and influential relationships at all levelsAbility to maintain the highest level of discretion, diplomacy and confidentialityExperience with full-cycle recruiting, using various interview techniques and evaluation methodsGood knowledge of Applicant Tracking Systems (ie Oracle) and other related job boardsExperience in using LinkedIn Talent Solutions to proactively source candidatesExperience in volume recruitmentFamiliarity with social media, C.V. databases, and professional networksStrong knowledge of the UAE labour lawAbility to think ahead and out of the boxPro-active approach towards task or improvement ideasAttention to details with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.Proficient in using MS OfficeWork in a highly collaborative and effective manner, both independently and in cross-functional teamsProven ability to build, manage and foster a team-oriented environmentEasily adapts to a fast-paced environmentSkilled in multi-tasking and handling pressureDemonstrates accountability for own tasks and responsibilitiesStrong organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to handle multiple projects at the same timePossess flexibility and has a history of delivering results in a changing and highly ambiguous work environmentStrong problem-solving and client management skillsTakes responsibility for own learning and encourages others to the do the same.Good understanding of ADEK/similar govt body requirement