Assistant Manager - Talent Acquisition

Job Description: Assistant Manager / Manager - Talent & Recruitment

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Industry: Diversified Conglomerate

Employment Type: Full-time

Role Summary

We are seeking an energetic, strategically minded, and results-driven Assistant Manager / Manager - Talent & Recruitment to join our Group Human Resources division. In this role, you will be responsible for driving end-to-end talent acquisition across multiple sector verticals (e.g., FMCG, Retail, Hospitality, Logistics, Financial Services, or Technology). You will act as a strategic talent partner to business unit leaders, building talent pipelines, enhancing employer branding, and leveraging modern digital sourcing methods to attract top-tier talent in Sri Lanka and region-wide.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Talent Sourcing & Recruitment Execution

• Lead the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle for executive to senior management positions across various group companies.
• Partner with Business Unit Heads and HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to understand workforce planning needs, define role requirements, and set targeted sourcing strategies.
• Drive proactive sourcing strategies using LinkedIn Recruiter, professional networks, job portals, executive search partners, and headhunting.
• Structure and lead interview processes, candidate evaluations, and competency-based assessments to ensure strong role-fit and cultural alignment.

Employer Branding & University Relations

• Design and execute high-impact employer branding initiatives to position the conglomerate as an Employer of Choice in Sri Lanka.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with Sri Lankan universities, higher education institutes, and professional bodies
• Manage Group Management Trainee (MT) and Internship programs from campus outreach and assessment centers to final onboarding.

Digital HR & Recruitment Analytics

• Oversee and optimize the Group Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to streamline candidate tracking and standard workflows.
• Track and present recruitment metrics (e.g., Time-to-Hire, Cost-per-Hire, Diversity Metrics, Sourcing Channel Yield, Early Attrition Rate) to HR leadership.
• Leverage data and market trends to advise business leaders on market salary benchmarks and talent availability.

Stakeholder Management & Onboarding

• Manage offer negotiations, pre-employment screening, and contract finalization in alignment with Group HR policies and local labor legislation.
• Design and coordinate a seamless group-level onboarding and candidate experience process.
• Build and manage relationships with external recruitment agencies, executive search firms, and background verification providers.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications Educational & Professional Background

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related discipline from a recognized university. Professional HR qualification is highly advantageous.

• Experience:

• Assistant Manager: 4-6 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years focused on Talent Acquisition.

• Manager: 6-9+ years of overall experience, with 4+ years leading recruitment initiatives within a reputable conglomerate, multinational corporation (MNC), or leading executive search agency.

Functional & Technical Competencies

• Proven track record in high-volume and specialized strategic hiring across multiple industries.
• In-depth hands-on experience with modern ATS platforms and advanced LinkedIn sourcing.
• Solid understanding of Sri Lankan labor market dynamics, compensation structures, and employment laws.

Interpersonal & Behavioral Skills

• Strong business acumen and the ability to build credibility with senior executive leadership.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English (fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is an added advantage).
• High agility, capability to handle multiple open positions simultaneously in a fast-paced ecosystem, and strong negotiation skills.