Talent Acquisition Specialist

Purpose of the Role: At Dis-Chem Life, we are building something extraordinary—and to do that, we need extraordinary people. The Talent Acquisition Specialist is the heartbeat of our talent engine, the conduit through which opportunity flows, and the bridge between potential and performance. Reporting to the Head of HR, this role demands far more than filling jobs—it requires a master talent connector, someone who lives and breathes recruitment, someone who can walk into any room, decode a hiring manager's vision, and translate it into talent strategy and execution. This person must personify the Dis-Chem Life brand: driven, relentless in their pursuit for excellence, purpose-led, innovative, and people-first. You won't just recruit—you'll own, lead, guide, hustle, and be in the driver seat in finding only the Top talent in south Africa.
Role Summary The Talent Acquisition Specialist role at Dis-Chem Life is a pivotal role, responsible for attracting, engaging, and hiring top-tier talent across back-office functions. This hands-on, delivery-driven position requires a blend of agency and in-house recruitment experience, ideally within financial services or a similar regulated industry. Success in this role demands expertise in managing the full recruitment lifecycle, strong stakeholder collaboration, and the ability to quickly identify and secure talent that fits both the role and our culture. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, results-oriented professional, with advanced sourcing skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. This individual will be an ambassador for the Dis-Chem Life brand, consistently delivering high-quality hires and ensuring an exceptional candidate experience throughout the process.
Benefits:A collaborative and inclusive environment that values your contribution and provides space for personal growth.High-impact, high-visibility role reporting to the Head of HRPartner directly with executives and department heads to influence talent strategyCompetitive salaryVisionary Leadership
Key Responsibilities: Own and Lead Full Recruitment LifecycleLead and manage the full recruitment lifecycle across all back-office functions, including HR, Finance, Operations, Claims, Underwriting, Compliance, IT, and related support rolesEnsure timely, high-quality delivery of hires by managing all stages—sourcing, screening, coordinating interviews, reference checks, offer management, and onboarding handoverAccurately interpret role requirements, profiles, and team dynamics in collaboration with hiring managersCreate compelling job descriptions and role marketing content in line with brand tone and cultureEnsure seamless scheduling, communication, and coordination throughout the interview processPresent top-quality shortlists with context, insight, and candidate rationaleDrive timely feedback loops between candidates and hiring teams to maintain momentumTake full accountability for each placement, ensuring the quality of hire aligns with the team's performance and culture expectations Sourcing & Pipeline DevelopmentProactively source high-caliber candidates using advanced sourcing techniques (LinkedIn Recruiter, Boolean, job boards, personal networks, social recruiting, etc.)Build, manage, and nurture talent pools and pipelines, enabling the business to hire at paceContinuously research new platforms, communities, and sourcing methods to expand reachEngage passive candidates with tailored messaging and storytelling that reflects Dis-Chem Life's mission and energyActively track and record sourcing activity to measure ROI and improve methodsCultivate and expand a professional talent network across financial services and insurance sectors Stakeholder & Candidate EngagementPartner with department heads and team leads to align on role priorities, timelines, and feedback expectationsFacilitate structured, collaborative interview processes that reflect our culture and support informed decisionsDeliver exceptional candidate experiences, ensuring all touchpoints are professional, personal, and humanServe as a brand ambassador, representing Dis-Chem Life with confidence, clarity, and cultural fluencyAdvise on candidate fit beyond just experience—highlighting personality match, values alignment, and team chemistryAct as a trusted advisor to hiring managers on candidate positioning, market trends, and talent insights Execution Accountability & Continuous ImprovementMeet or exceed internal benchmarks related to time-to-fill, quality-of-hire, offer acceptance, and hiring manager satisfactionTrack and report on recruitment activity and progress in alignment with team reporting frameworksIdentify and resolve process inefficiencies—recommending improvements in communication, scheduling, or sourcing flowMaintain accurate, real-time documentation and ensure compliance with internal standards and POPIA regulationsContribute feedback on hiring trends, candidate insights, and market shifts to inform future recruitment practices Brand, Culture & RepresentationAct as a walking example of Dis-Chem Life's values, voice, and energyEnsure all candidate communications and role advertisements reflect our employer brand and cultural toneEngage candidates in meaningful ways that highlight what makes working at Dis-Chem Life uniqueHelp champion diversity and inclusion through unbiased, values-led candidate evaluation and outreachTake ownership of how we show up in the market—being the human face of recruitment for the business
Technical Skills:Expert-level sourcing techniques: Boolean search, LinkedIn Recruiter, headhunting, ATS masteryDeep understanding of recruitment platforms, analytics tools, and applicant lifecycle managementRecruitment marketing and employer branding fluencySolid grasp of offer negotiation, stakeholder management, and onboarding best practicesExperience hiring within regulated environments, preferably in financial services or insurance
Soft Skills:High EQ and instinctive understanding of people dynamicsExceptional communicator and influencer—can lead conversations and drive alignment with confidence and empathyStrategic thinker and relentless executor—knows when to zoom out and when to dig inCreative recruiter and brand storyteller, able to connect talent to purposeResilient, solutions-oriented, and agile in fast-paced environmentsA true hustler with integrity—driven, proactive, and uncompromising on qualityBrings energy, confidence, and positivity to every interactionLives the brand and breathes the mission—a walking, talking ambassador for Dis-Chem Life
Experience:2+ years of experience in talent acquisition (in-house) Agency experience would be advantageous Experience in a corporate, in-house recruitment role—ideally in financial services, life insurance, or a related high-growth sector (Required)Bulk recruitment experience would be advantageous 
Proven success managing complex, multi-functional hiring portfoliosComfortable operating in high-demand, high-stakes environmentsExisting candidate and peer network a major advantage
Qualifications:Matric or Grade 12 CompulsoryTertiary qualification in Human Resources, Psychology, Business, or related field advantageous
Tech Savvy and Computer Literate Ongoing commitment to professional development and learning in recruitment best practices

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