Senior Manager - Executive Hiring & Talent Intelligence | S4 | Talent CoE - Strategic Talent | Milton Keynes – Unity Place

Senior Manager - Executive Hiring & Talent Intelligence | S4 | Talent CoE - Strategic Talent | Milton Keynes – Unity Place

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Within Talent CoE - Strategic Talent, executive hiring connects to the wider talent and leadership ecosystem to strengthen succession resilience, diversity representation and long-term leadership capability.

 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Santander UK is looking for a Senior Manager - Executive Hiring & Talent Intelligence based out of our offices at Unity Place – Milton Keynes.

Help shape the leadership that will take Santander UK forward. You’ll own the UK executive recruitment and onboarding model for ExCo-1 roles, combining high-quality hiring delivery with forward-looking talent intelligence. Working within Group frameworks, you’ll set UK standards and connect external market insight with internal succession, readiness and development needs. This role has no people management responsibilities.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Own UK executive recruitment: set strategy and the operating model for ExCo-1 (SL and key S5) roles, directing end-to-end hiring from mandate definition through appointment.
• Lead sourcing and search partnerships: own direct and external search strategies, supplier selection and commercial performance, delivering an exceptional candidate and hiring-leader experience.
• Shape future-focused selection: challenge senior stakeholders on leadership requirements and govern structured, bias-mitigated assessments aligned to Group frameworks and future capabilities.
• Own onboarding and integration: set the UK framework, 30-60-90 day approach and first-year success measures, translating assessment insights into transition and early development plans.
• Connect talent intelligence and succession: integrate internal, Group and external talent insight to benchmark critical-role coverage, readiness, mobility, diversity and development needs.
• Build preparedness ahead of demand: develop executive relationships and market maps, translating competitor movements and emerging capability needs into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Balance an adaptable portfolio: agree strategic priorities with the Talent Director and the Strategic Talent Lead, deploying capacity between live hiring, proactive intelligence, relationships and succession insight.
• Set governance and drive improvement: own UK controls, service standards and performance insight; partner with Compliance on regulatory requirements; and improve hiring quality, inclusion and preparedness.

 

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience

• Experience owning executive recruitment strategy, operating models and end-to-end senior hiring, including direct sourcing and executive-search partner management. (Required)
• Experience integrating executive market intelligence and talent mapping with succession planning, talent reviews and leadership assessment. (Required)
• Experience advising and constructively challenging ExCo members and senior leaders, using evidence to influence executive hiring and talent decisions. (Required)
• Experience designing and delivering executive selection and onboarding approaches, with strong governance and continuous improvement. (Required)

Hard Skills

• Advanced market mapping, executive talent intelligence and comparative benchmarking, linked to strategic workforce planning and future capability needs. (Required)
• Knowledge of executive recruitment governance, including awareness of SMCR, FCA/PRA approvals and Fitness & Propriety requirements where applicable, working with Compliance. (Required)
• Ability to design and execute structured interviews and assessments, interpret talent data and develop meaningful recruitment and preparedness measures. (Required)
• Accreditation in recognised executive assessment methodologies (e.g. Korn Ferry Leadership Success Profile (KFLS), Hogan, SHL or equivalent), with the ability to administer, interpret and provide insight-led feedback to support executive hiring and succession decisions. (Preferred)

Soft Skills

• Executive-level influence and relationship management, with the credibility to challenge assumptions and communicate clear, actionable insight. (Required)
• Commercial judgement, discretion and attention to detail when handling sensitive executive appointments and supplier relationships. (Required)
• Resilience, empathy and the ability to balance multiple priorities, adapt to changing demand and lead continuous improvement. (Required)

 

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.

Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

Salary Range:
£74,800.00 - £112,200.00 per annum (depending on experience)

This salary range represents the expected remuneration for the role. Annual salary is based on a standard 35-hour working week. Actual salary offered will depend on skills, experience, qualifications and location.

 

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year
• £6,000 car allowance per year
• Company funded individual private medical insurance
• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.

• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans. ·         As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services
• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
• Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
• Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.
• Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).  

Right to work in the UK

• All candidates must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at resourcing@santander.co.uk.        

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