2026 Talent Acquisition Associate

Job Title: Talent Acquisition Associate  

This role does not provide sponsorship 

We're looking for bright and committed graduates who will bring energy, new ideas and a fresh perspective to help us become the recognised leader and transform the construction and engineering industry.    

About this role  

The Talent Acquisition Associate supports the delivery of end-to-end recruitment activity while developing the knowledge, skills and commercial understanding required for a career in Talent Acquisition. The role combines candidate attraction, sourcing, recruitment coordination, market research and stakeholder support, providing an excellent candidate and hiring manager experience while building capability across multiple business areas. 

Role Overview  

Working closely with Talent Acquisition Advisors, Partners and the wider People team, the role provides proactive support across the recruitment lifecycle whilst taking ownership of defined activities and continuously developing expertise in recruitment best practice, talent mapping and employer branding. 

• Support the delivery of end-to-end recruitment assignments across a range of business areas. 

• Source and engage candidates through LinkedIn, job boards, referrals, talent pools, events and direct search. 

• Conduct candidate screening and initial assessment calls, providing recommendations to the Talent Acquisition team. 

• Coordinate interviews, assessments and recruitment logistics to deliver an outstanding candidate and hiring manager experience. 

• Support the development and maintenance of talent pipelines for future hiring requirements and critical skills. 

• Support market mapping and gather talent intelligence, including salary benchmarking, competitor activity and labour market insights, to inform recruitment strategies. 

• Support employer branding, recruitment marketing campaigns and careers events. 

• Maintain accurate information within the Applicant Tracking System and ensure recruitment activity is compliant and well documented. 

• Provide a responsive and professional service to candidates, hiring managers and internal stakeholders, ensuring recruitment activities are coordinated efficiently and stakeholders are kept informed throughout the process. 

• Contribute to continuous improvement projects across Talent Acquisition, including process optimisation, reporting and technology adoption. 

• Champion inclusive recruitment practices and support delivery of diversity and inclusion objectives. 

• Take ownership of personal development, building knowledge of the business, recruitment best practice and labour market trends. 

Location  

Dartford  

Degree Subjects    

Any degree discipline will be considered for this role   

Professional Accreditation   

CIPD or REC  

The Laing O'Rourke Graduate Development Programme - what can you expect?  

Our graduate programme is designed to embrace and develop your capabilities. Most importantly, you will be encouraged to continue learning throughout your career. You will be stretched, challenged and supported by a business that views your personal development and the achievement of professional accreditation as a priority.   
    
Our programme will give you the practical experience, technical learning and professional development while being part of the some of the most exciting construction and infrastructure projects in the UK.   

Our Application Process 

We are committed to providing a clear and supportive recruitment journey. Here is what you can expect when applying for one of our graduate opportunities: 

• CV Submission 
  Submit your CV for review. We will assess your application against the entry criteria for the role you are applying for. 

• Online Assessment 
  You will complete a series of assessments designed to understand how you approach workplace situations, your preferred ways of working, as well as exercises to evaluate your critical thinking and numerical reasoning skills. 

• Video Interview 
  At this stage, you will be invited to record responses to two questions set by our hiring team. You will have sufficient time to prepare and ensure you present yourself confidently. 

• Assessment Centre 
  Our in-person assessment centres, held at a LOR office, provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills through a combination of individual tasks, short interviews, and group activities. This is also a chance to experience our culture first-hand. 

• Outcome 
  We aim to provide feedback and communicate the outcome of your assessment centre within two weeks. 

Entry requirements  

We are looking for graduates who meet the following criteria:   

• Eligible to work in the UK with a valid work permit if applicable  

• Full mobility as you may be required to relocate for your role  

• Strong numeracy and literacy skills  

• A degree course with a clear route to professional accreditation   

• Your degree classification should be 2:1 or higher   

**The Graduate Development Programme will commence in September 2026**