The Role of Hiring Managers vs Recruiters: Who Does What?

Hiring is a team sport. But in many organisations, especially fast-paced ones like healthcare, the players are not always clear on their roles.

When responsibilities between hiring managers and recruiters are well defined, the hiring process runs smoothly and efficiently, delivering stronger outcomes. But when those roles blur, the result is often confusion, delays, and poor hiring decisions.

So who does what?

 

The Recruiter’s Role: Talent Attraction and Process Management

Recruiters are the frontline strategists of the hiring process. Their role is to build and manage the talent pipeline, drive momentum, and deliver the right candidates to the hiring manager.

 

Key responsibilities of recruiters:

Understand the hiring need

They meet with hiring managers to clarify role requirements, must-have skills, and the ideal candidate profile.

Write and promote the job advert

Recruiters create inclusive, engaging adverts and publish them on job boards, social media, and internal platforms.

Source and screen candidates

They actively seek talent, review CVs, and conduct initial screenings to assess suitability.

Coordinate communication

They manage the communication flow: scheduling interviews, gathering feedback, and keeping candidates informed.

Guide the hiring process

Recruiters ensure the process is fair, efficient, and documented. They track progress and ensure timelines are met.

Advise on market trends

They bring insight into salary benchmarks, competitor activity, and candidate expectations.

 

The Hiring Manager’s Role: Selection and Decision-Making

Hiring managers are the subject matter experts. They understand what the role involves day to day and what success looks like in the team.

 

Key responsibilities of hiring managers:

Define the role

They clarify the job responsibilities, performance expectations, and success criteria.

Partner with the recruiter

Hiring managers work closely with recruiters to refine job descriptions, agree timelines, and adjust sourcing strategies.

Interview and evaluate candidates

They assess candidates' technical skills, team fit, and suitability through interviews and practical evaluations.

Make the final decision

Hiring managers ultimately decide who to hire based on capability and team needs.

Support onboarding

They ensure the new hire is welcomed and supported with proper training, resources, and mentorship.

 

Why Clarity Matters

When hiring managers and recruiters understand their roles, the hiring process becomes:

• Faster: Less duplication and fewer delays
• More efficient: Clear responsibilities and better communication
• More inclusive: Recruiters apply best practices to reduce bias
• More strategic: Each party brings their strengths to the process

 

Final Thought

Recruiters and hiring managers play different, but equally critical, roles in hiring. When they are aligned, the experience is seamless for candidates and delivers better hiring outcomes.

In healthcare, where every vacancy impacts patient care and team performance, this alignment is not just beneficial, it is essential.

 

Need help filling healthcare roles without the back-and-forth? At Stroud Resourcing, that’s what we do. Contact us on LinkedIn or simply call us on 01904 239910.

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