Making an Offer
We would recommend that a verbal offer is made by the department concerned (usually the Chair of the panel) as the department is better placed to negotiate salary and start dates. However, the recruitment team are more than happy to speak to the successful candidate if preferred.
Where you wish references to be received prior to the formal offer, this should be made clear to the candidate and the recruitment team. Please note that a verbal offer is considered to be as legally binding as a signed contract. It may also be useful to set timescales for return of references with candidates so they know what to expect with regards to when we will contact them.