Talent Acquisition Specialist

Please note, applications on this role will be updated after January 5th

Role: Talent Acquisition Specialist

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Job type: Full time, Permanent – Hybrid

This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office.

Typically, employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, this is what you’ll be doing:

As a leading multinational organisation in the global education sector, we are driven by innovation, excellence, and a deep commitment to creating an inclusive and empowering workplace.

As our footprint continues to grow, we’re looking for a dynamic Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our global Talent Acquisition team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of talent at QS.

As a valued member of Team TA, you will manage the full talent attraction and acquisition lifecycle across a wide-ranging portfolio of roles spanning multiple regions and business areas. This is a high-impact, relationship-driven role that blends strategic partnership with hands-on talent delivery, ensuring we continue to hire exceptional people who drive our mission forward.

Role responsibilities

• Partner with hiring managers and senior stakeholders to understand workforce needs and design targeted, effective hiring strategies.
• Source, engage, and assess candidates across a variety of functions, ensuring a strong pipeline of high-quality talent for current and future needs.
• Use creative and proactive sourcing techniques to reach both active and passive candidates, maintaining a high direct hire ratio.
• Champion our employer brand and EVP by promoting QS across LinkedIn and other social platforms, and contribute to localised employer branding initiatives.
• Collaborate with the People team to support and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the hiring process.
• Drive internal mobility and employee referral programmes to elevate engagement and expand talent reach.
• Stay informed of labour market trends and talent insights, using this expertise to influence and guide hiring managers.
• Screen and evaluate candidate suitability, ensuring alignment to both role requirements and organisational values.
• Coach hiring managers on best practice, assessment methods, and interview excellence.
• Build and nurture talent pools for critical and future hiring needs.
• Manage candidates throughout the process, ensuring a seamless and outstanding candidate experience from first contact through to onboarding.
• Maintain accurate data and share insights to support informed decisions.
• Lead and continuously enhance our global internship programme - ensuring strong partnerships with managers, an excellent intern experience, and a robust pipeline of early-career talent.
• Any other duties that fall within the purpose and scope of the role.

Key skills and experience

• Proven experience as a Talent Acquisition Specialist, ideally within a fast-paced, multinational environment.
• Ability to build rapport quickly, keep candidates engaged, and maintain a positive employer reputation.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to build trust, manage expectations, and influence senior leaders across different regions and business units.
• Ability to operate independently while collaborating closely with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Understanding of cultural differences, regional hiring practices, and global compliance considerations.
• Skilled in designing and delivering structured interviews, competency frameworks, work samples, and other assessment tools.
• Ability to interpret talent metrics, pipeline data, and market insights to inform strategy and optimise hiring outcomes.
• Able to juggle multiple vacancies, competing priorities, and stakeholders across time zones.
• Experience contributing to content, campaigns, or storytelling that elevates EVP and external visibility.
• Experience with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and talent technologies.
• A genuine passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion in hiring.
• Comfortable adapting to evolving business needs and driving business growth.
• Experience designing early-careers initiatives or partnerships with universities is valuable.

Please note, if you don't meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11
international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 20 days annual leave, plus public holidays
• Generous maternity and paternity leave
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and MiCare health
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• 
  Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• 
  Support for volunteering and study leave
  
• 
  Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme
• Brand new breakout and relaxing spaces in office

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities 

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive. 

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