Assistant Project Manager

Digital Skills ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Skills ltd in Manchester is seeking an Early Careers Program Experience Specialist to support the day-to-day delivery of Early Careers programmes, coordinating activities, processes and events, and acting as the first point of contact for programme participants and managers.

The role combines hands-on programme coordination with stakeholder communication in a hybrid pattern, with 2 days per week in the Manchester office and an hourly rate of £25–£35, Inside IR35, paying through payroll.

Qualifications

• Early Careers experience in graduate, apprentice or internship programmes.
• Project management and coordination skills.
• Experience coordinating programmes, events, training or people operations.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Confident, approachable communication with participants and managers.
• Ability to handle sensitive queries and recognise escalation needs.
• Experience using spreadsheets, HR systems or similar tracking tools.
• Maintain accurate records and proactively follow up outstanding actions.

Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for graduates, apprentices and interns, supporting day‑to‑day programme and workplace queries
• Support line managers with programme timelines, guidance, resources and performance tracking
• Coordinate operational activities across reviews, promotion cycles, rotations, graduation and programme completion
• Manage scheduling, communications, information gathering, materials and follow‑up actions
• Maintain accurate trackers covering rotations, training, performance reviews, promotion activity and compliance requirements
• Coordinate onboarding, workshops, networking sessions and graduation events
• Track apprentice study days and training activity, coordinating operational details with external providers
• Work with the Early Careers recruitment team to support assessment centres and the transition from candidate to programme participant
• Monitor programme milestones and outstanding actions, escalating issues and risks where appropriate

Skills

Early Careers experience

Project management

Coordination

Organisation

Communication

Escalation handling

HR/tracking tools

Record keeping

Job description

Early Careers Program Experience Specialist

Early Careers Experience & Project Management

The Rate - £25–£35 per hour

IR35 Status - Inside IR35, payrollee

The Location - Manchester

The Working Pattern - Hybrid, 2 days per week in the Manchester office

About the Client

Digital Skills are working with a global technology and travel company looking to strengthen the operational delivery of its Early Careers programmes. The organisation supports graduates, apprentices and interns through structured development programmes and is looking for an experienced professional to help ensure participants and managers receive a consistent, well‑organised experience.

About the Role

This is an excellent opportunity for an Early Careers Program Experience Specialist with strong early careers experience and project management skills. You will support the day‑to‑day delivery of Early Careers programmes, coordinating key activities, processes and events while acting as a first point of contact for programme participants and managers.

Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for graduates, apprentices and interns, supporting day‑to‑day programme and workplace queries
• Support line managers with programme timelines, guidance, resources and performance tracking
• Coordinate operational activities across reviews, promotion cycles, rotations, graduation and programme completion
• Manage scheduling, communications, information gathering, materials and follow‑up actions
• Maintain accurate trackers covering rotations, training, performance reviews, promotion activity and compliance requirements
• Coordinate onboarding, workshops, networking sessions and graduation events
• Track apprentice study days and training activity, coordinating operational details with external providers
• Work with the Early Careers recruitment team to support assessment centres and the transition from candidate to programme participant
• Monitor programme milestones and outstanding actions, escalating issues and risks where appropriate

Desired Skills and Experience

• Early Careers experience, ideally supporting graduate, apprentice or internship programmes
• Project management and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines
• Experience coordinating programmes, events, training or people operations
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail
• Confident, approachable communication skills when supporting participants and managers
• Ability to handle sensitive queries appropriately and recognise when escalation is required
• Experience using spreadsheets, HR systems or similar tracking tools
• Ability to maintain accurate records and proactively follow up outstanding actions

Summary of the Best Candidate

The best candidate will have at least one year of relevant experience, ideally gained in Early Careers, programme coordination, learning and development, training or people operations. They will combine hands‑on Early Careers experience with strong project management, organisation and stakeholder communication skills.

This role will particularly suit someone who enjoys keeping programmes organised and moving forward. You will be comfortable coordinating multiple deadlines, maintaining accurate programme data, supporting graduates, apprentices and interns, and ensuring managers have the information and resources they need.