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.

Assistant Manager - Talent Acquisition