Join Astute
Recruitment Careers in Portsmouth
Why Join the Astute Team?
More Than a Job. A Career You’ll Be Proud Of. Discover what makes Astute People different — industry-leading training, standout benefits, and a culture that genuinely backs you to succeed.
Years of Authority
Stable environment with deep client relationships and 20+ years of market expertise.
Weeks Annual Leave
With our 9-day fortnight, you'll get every second Friday off, fully paid - that's 26 extra days annual leave.
Training & Development
Bespoke training pathways designed to accelerate your career at every level.
Recruitment Apprenticeship
£7.55 per hour + uncapped commissionKickstart your sales career in recruitment while earning and learning with a Level 3 qualification.
Build candidate pipelines, support major energy projects, and gain hands-on experience alongside high-performing Recruitment Partners.
Receive industry-leading training, structured progression, and uninterrupted time to focus on your qualification.
Talent Specialist
£25,500–£45,000 + uncapped commissionKickstart your recruitment career in Portsmouth with a team that supports your growth from day one.
Manage candidate delivery for major projects while earning a competitive salary with uncapped commission.
Receive bespoke training and clear progression opportunities.
Account Manager
£40,000 + bonus & genuine career growth opportunitiesTake the next step in your recruitment career on a key account desk with established clients in Portsmouth.
Achieve an ideal work-life balance with every other Friday off, fully paid.
Progression opportunities are clear, with paths to Principal Partner or Management roles.
Recruitment Partner
£26,000–£45,000 + uncapped commission & car allowanceBuild a high-performance recruitment career on a warm desk with established clients in Portsmouth.
Take control of your schedule with every other Friday off, fully paid.
Receive bespoke training with dedicated recruitment specialists and clear progression to Principal Partner or Management roles.
See Why People Love Working Here
The numbers speak for themselves. From Glassdoor reviews to long-term retention, here’s why our team loves building their careers at Astute.
"The 9-day fortnight is a game-changer for my work-life balance; it effectively gives me 26 extra days a year to travel."
"Astute celebrates individuality and rewards genuine hard work, bring your curiosity, energy, and care, it will take you far."
"Building up one of our key clients from scratch to an account with more than 80 contractors has been a major highlight."
"We've an incredible team of driven professionals who not only want to succeed themselves but also genuinely support each other’s growth."
"Nothing beats the feeling of matching the right candidate with the right role."
"Astute offers a great progression plan, which is completely in your hands. They also offer a range of great benefits and social events."
"The people are also amazing, everyone gets on so well and there are always loads of events outside of work."
"My favourite memory? Being promoted to Senior Recruitment Partner. It’s shown that the hard work & support I’ve received have paid off."
"What I love about Astute is that what they say they offer, they truly do!"
"Since joining back office, I've been promoted twice in the space of 4 years."
"Recruitment is a great sector to work in, when the opportunity came up with Astute, I did some research on the company, and could only see positive feedback."
"Nothing puts you in a better mood than getting someone out of a working situation that doesn't work for them, and finding their perfect role!"
"Coming from a recruitment background with various agencies, I can honestly say the company, incentives, social side, work-life balance & flexibility at Astute is the best there is."
Life at Astute
A high-performance culture — with a real team feel. See behind-the-scenes team life, office vibes, celebrations, and the global adventures that come with success.
This Year's Incentive
Las Vegas 2026, a journey to the heart of the American dream.
Explore the trip →
CSR & Community
Building culture through shared experiences and giving back to the community.
Our Impact →
Unforgettable Trips & Experiences
Find out more about our global adventures, from the Swiss Alps and beyond.
See our past trips →Ready to Start Your Journey?
Are you looking to build a career with serious momentum? Join a team that invests in your training, supports your wellbeing, and rewards ambition. Your next step starts here.
Who We're Looking For
We hire attitude first — and build the rest. Whether you’re an experienced recruiter, a talented sales professional, a graduate or returning to work after a career break, if you’re driven, you’ll thrive at Astute.
Agency Recruiters
If you thrive in a fast-paced recruitment environment but want to avoid burnout, Astute is the place for you.
As Adam Nash, Account Manager discovered: "I really enjoy the fast pace of the sector. Contract power generation recruitment suits my working style much better."
At Astute, you can build a rewarding recruitment career while enjoying work-life balance.
Sales Professionals
Bring your sales drive to a role where relationship-building and consultative selling make a real impact in the energy transition.
As Team Leader Greg Storey says: "If you really focus on developing your understanding of the sectors , and you put the effort in, then we will support you at every stage of your journey here."
With determination and effort, you can turn your sales talent into a highly rewarding recruitment career.
Graduates & Career Returners
Whether you’re a graduate, returning from a career break or maternity leave, or changing careers, we value ambition & life experience over past experience.
Lucy Pook, Senior Recruitment Partner says: "Coming from a recruitment background with various agencies, I can honestly say Astute's incentives, culture and work-life balance is the best there is."
If work-life balance and a supportive return-to-work culture matter to you, you’ll find your place here with us.
Established Desks
Recruit in industries that shape the future. Since 2006, we’ve placed over 10,000 professionals across Power Generation, Renewables, and Nuclear. Join one of our specialist desks and build a career backed by a global reputation and high-growth markets.
Speak to Our Talent Team
Got questions? Let’s talk. Whether you’re ready to apply or just exploring your options, our Talent Team is here for a confidential chat about life at Astute.
Sam Bradshaw
Head of People
Talk to Sam about:
- Moving from agency to specialist energy recruitment
- The culture and values at Astute
- Progression into senior and lead roles
Ready For Your Next Move?
If you're looking for a culture that rewards integrity and performance, start a confidential conversation today or upload your CV below.
Resources
Everything you need to get to know us. From our benefits and team culture to CSR initiatives and how to find us — this is your go-to place for all things Astute.
FAQs
Quick answers to common questions. From training and progression to benefits and the hiring process — here’s what candidates ask us most.
What does the recruitment role involve?
Our recruitment roles focus on sourcing and placing technical specialists in the renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure sectors. You'll build relationships with clients and candidates, manage the recruitment lifecycle, and contribute to global clean energy projects.
Do I need recruitment experience to apply?
Not necessarily. While recruitment or sales experience is beneficial, we value drive, resilience, and a passion to learn. Our comprehensive training programme supports new starters from day one.
What is the 9-day fortnight?
Work 9 days over a two-week period, getting every other Friday completely off. Plus, every working Friday finishes at 3pm all year round. It's our commitment to work-life balance.
What training and development do you offer?
We provide structured onboarding, ongoing coaching, access to industry training, and dedicated Learning & Development support. We invest in your professional growth at every career stage.
What are the career progression opportunities?
Career progression is performance-led and transparent. Typical pathways include Recruitment Consultant to Senior/Principal, then into Team Leader, Business Manager or Director roles.
Where are you based and do you offer flexible working?
We're based in Portsmouth with offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Leiston near Sizewell C. We offer flexible hybrid working arrangements while valuing our vibrant in-office team culture in Portsmouth.
How do I apply for a recruitment role?
Apply directly to our open recruitment positions at the top of this page or submit a CV for a confidential discussion.
Who can I talk to about careers at Astute?
Sam Bradshaw, Head of People, welcomes informal confidential conversations. Email Sam directly at sbradshaw@astutepeople.co.uk or call +44 23 9228 8216.