Talent Acquisition Specialist

Role Overview

This role is for a proactive and resourceful Talent Acquisition Specialist who will help hire for large-scale sports and live events across the GCC. The position is fast-moving and suited to someone who can quickly find strong candidates, handle several openings at once, and stay effective under demanding timelines.

The ideal candidate will communicate confidently in English, demonstrate strong sourcing and headhunting ability, and work closely with hiring managers to deliver a smooth and positive recruitment journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the recruitment process end to end, from initial role briefing through to offer acceptance.
• Work in close coordination with hiring managers to clarify hiring needs, workforce plans, and recruitment priorities.
• Find, approach, and engage high-caliber candidates using LinkedIn Recruiter, job boards, referrals, networking, and direct search methods.
• Recruit across a broad mix of sports and live events functions, including technical services, event operations, venue operations, workforce planning, logistics, accreditation, security, transport, infrastructure, project management, engineering, HSE, commercial, procurement, finance, HR, administration, and other delivery or corporate support areas.
• Carry out screening calls and competency-based interviews to evaluate skills, experience, and fit for the role.
• Write candidate summaries and share shortlisted profiles with hiring managers.
• Arrange interviews and keep both candidates and hiring managers updated throughout the process.
• Manage offer discussions and support the offer stage with candidates and stakeholders.
• Develop and nurture talent pipelines for immediate and future vacancies.
• Keep candidate information, interview feedback, recruitment trackers, and ATS records accurate and up to date.
• Work toward hiring targets and timelines while maintaining a high level of candidate quality.
• Map talent markets proactively and identify prospective candidates for future openings.
• Assist with employer branding and talent attraction initiatives when required.
• Stay current on market movements, salary expectations, and talent availability within sports events and major events recruitment.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in talent acquisition or recruitment, ideally in a recruitment agency or a high-volume hiring environment.
• Prior hiring exposure in sports events, major events, engineering, construction, facilities management, infrastructure, or similar sectors is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage many vacancies at the same time and deliver under tight deadlines.
• Strong sourcing and headhunting capability, with experience engaging passive candidates.
• Fast, practical, and proactive approach with a strong sense of urgency.
• Excellent spoken and written English, along with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Solid interviewing and candidate evaluation skills.
• Well organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Comfortable using LinkedIn Recruiter, ATS platforms, Microsoft Office, and online sourcing tools.
• Self-driven, resilient, and able to work independently in a high-pressure environment.
• Must have a valid UAE residence visa, either self-sponsored or sponsored by a spouse/family member, and legal permission to work in the UAE.
• Should be able to start immediately or on short notice.
• Must be open to working outside standard business hours and on weekends when needed.
• Must be available for a fixed-term contract through the end of February 2027.

Additional Information

This is an on-site contract role based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The position supports recruitment activity for sports and live events across the GCC and may require flexibility around working hours depending on business needs.

No salary, stipend, perks, or vacancy count were specified in the source information.