Talent Acquisition Lead

Job description / Role

Guildhall is a specialist recruitment business in Dubai delivering mid-to-senior hires across the UAE and wider GCC. We work fast, we’re direct, and we care about outcomes: shortlists, interviews, offers, and acceptances.

The role (this is a pure delivery seat – not BD)

We’re hiring a high-output, headhunt-first Delivery Recruiter who can consistently find and convert candidates under pressure. This is for someone who enjoys the hunt, can persuade passive talent, and has the structure to run multiple roles at once.

You will work closely with leadership and the consulting team on live mandates. You will not be measured on winning new clients. You will be measured on delivery.

What you’ll be doing

• Build target lists and pipelines fast (market mapping, competitor targeting, referral mining).
• Headhunt and engage passive candidates using a phone-first approach.
• Qualify candidates properly (motivations, compensation, notice, risks, counteroffers).
• Produce clean, compelling candidate summaries and shortlists.
• Drive process urgency: interviews booked, feedback chased, momentum protected.
• Negotiate offers and manage acceptance risks (counteroffers, fall-offs, delays).
•
Manage multiple roles simultaneously with strong prioritisation and CRM discipline.

What “good” looks like in this role

• Shortlists created quickly (without sacrificing quality).
• Strong conversion: passive candidates ? interviews.
• Control and urgency: tight follow-ups, minimal fall-off, offers accepted.
• Calm under pressure, direct communication, and high personal accountability.

What we offer

• Competitive base + uncapped commission
• UAE visa and standard benefits (details at offer stage)
• High-trust environment: autonomy, pace, and leadership access
• A delivery role with clarity—no politics, no BD distractions, just outcomes

Hiring process

• Interview 1: delivery track record + workstyle
• Interview 2: practical simulation (live sourcing plan + candidate conversion roleplay)

Must-have:

• Recruitment experience in a delivery-heavy / headhunting environment (180 or delivery-led 360).
• Evidence you can run multiple roles and still close.
• Strong persuasion skills: you can sell opportunities and handle objections.
• Fluent/Native English with professional presence and excellent candidate care.
• Personable, confident, and comfortable being direct.

Nice-to-have:

• UAE/GCC recruitment exposure (not essential).
• Sector specialism (we can align you to a desk).
• Additional language skills.

About the Company

Guildhall is the most respected HR & Headhunting Consultancy in the MENA Region.

With deep, extensive knowledge of HR & Recruiting in the region, Guildhall has become a trusted partner of choice for candidates and clients. Starting from an exclusive recruitment agency in Dubai - UAE, Guildhall has grown into an elite service with the ability to cover vacancies in across MENA and Asia-pacific.

Offering tailored Career Sessions and an innovative industry-first membership program designed to save money on core services.

Guildhall is the partner of choice.