About this role.
Canonical is seeking a Talent Acquisition Strategist to lead its Talent Science team, focusing on evidence-based hiring processes and strategic talent projects. This role involves managing complex project roadmaps, data analysis, coaching team members, and influencing senior leadership. The ideal candidate has a psychology or people-related degree, advanced analytical skills using SQL/Python, and experience in talent selection. This remote role is based in the EMEA region and requires occasional international travel.
Role DNA
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Job Complexity
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4/5Autonomy Level
4/5Communication Load
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Core skills
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Cover letter sample
Dear Hiring Team,
I am excited to apply for the Talent Acquisition Strategist position at Canonical. With a strong background in talent science and a data-driven approach to hiring, I have successfully led strategic projects that connect hiring strategies to performance outcomes. My experience in team leadership, advanced analytics, and senior stakeholder engagement aligns perfectly with your vision for the Talent Science team. I am eager to bring my expertise in behavioral science and process innovation to help Canonical select world-class talent, regardless of location or background.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Sample interview questions
In my previous role, I analyzed interview performance data across departments and identified a bias in the selection process. I presented this to leadership with a proposed structured interview model, which was adopted and improved diversity hiring by 20%.
I would start by conducting a job analysis to identify key competencies, then validate predictive indicators against high-performing employees. From there, I'd create standardized assessments and interview guides, and continuously iterate based on hiring data.
I focus on building a business case with data, showing how the new process benefits their goals. I also involve them early in the design, creating a sense of ownership and addressing concerns through transparent communication.
I have used tools like Hogan and SHL. I evaluate assessments based on validity evidence, fairness, and user experience. I also work with vendors to customize solutions for specific roles.
I assess each team member's strengths and growth areas, then provide tailored learning opportunities such as coding challenges or data visualization projects. I also establish mentorship pairings and regular feedback loops to foster continuous improvement.
Canonical has re-imagined hiring. We have created a Talent Science team that has a mission to ensure that we follow objective, scientifically rigorous and efficient processes to select the very best new colleagues regardless of location, culture or background. We are not recruiters, but our work connects hiring strategy to performance outcomes. We work closely with our key stakeholders to ensure that decisions are being made in the right way and that our hiring model supports the selection of world class talent. We lead an effective hiring ecosystem to deliver talent acquisition excellence. We leverage data to enable evidence-based decisions, weaving behavioural science throughout our selection process, working closely with our Hiring Leadership team who drive hiring at Canonical.
Due to the growth of the business we are seeking a set of new leaders to drive delivery excellence. You will work directly with the Global Head of Talent Science to plan and drive work within the team against our strategic objectives. With overall accountability for project delivery relating to hiring outcomes you will drive efficiencies and create new processes whilst coaching and developing team members to grow their careers.
You will bring an analytical and objective approach to work and be seasoned in making data driven decisions relating to talent outcomes. Your experience will include being able to plan and lead project roadmaps, experience interacting with senior leadership on talent related topics leveraging your thought leadership experience and the ability to influence and steer talent agendas internally. You will be capable of stepping up to lead the function when required.
Location: This role will be based remotely in the EMEA region.
The role entails
- Leading and delivering the strategic Talent Science project roadmap using exceptional project management capability and influencing skills to manage multiple projects at any given time.
- Leveraging expertise from your career to date to design and implement solutions to complex problems that ultimately ensure we hire exceptional talent.
- Ensuring all talent selection initiatives map to high performance outcomes and career frameworks.
- Designing professional processes and frameworks, allowing efficient delivery of our agenda.
- Coaching and mentoring team members to grow and develop skill sets specifically around analytical capabilities and thought leadership, developing training materials and documentation to support team members.
- Driving and representing the team in the absence of the Head of, acting as a credible and trusted adviser and an inspiring leader.
- Working closely with company leaders to understand, appreciate and communicate our vision for talent at Canonical.
What we are looking for in you
- Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university, with an undergraduate degree in a psychology or people based subject.
- A track record of team leadership in a talent function from the technology or consulting industry, with exceptional project management, to lead roadmap execution and delivery.
- Deep understanding of talent selection, with a technological mindset to create automation’s and products to drive hiring efficiencies.
- Advanced analytical ability to dissect and analyse data, using either SQL, Python and/or statistical analysis.
- Exceptional written and spoken English with strong presentation skills for a senior audience.
- Ability to travel internationally 2-4 times a year for company events.
Nice-to-have skills
- Advanced psychometric assessments with an excellent understanding of the marketplace and vendors
- A deep understanding of human behaviour and what drives intrinsic motivation
- Experience of using Superset and advanced dashboarding
What we offer colleagues
We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
- Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events
About Canonical
Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world’s leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.
The company is founder led, profitable and growing.
Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.
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