Early Career Apprenticeship Programme Manager

Citigroup Inc.; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Global team collaboration

Program ownership autonomy

Learning & development

Job summary

Citi is seeking an experienced Early Career Apprenticeship Programme Manager to own UK apprenticeship programmes, shaping how the next generation of talent is attracted and developed. This hybrid role sits in the Early Career Apprenticeships & Engagement Team, spanning the UK, North America and India.

You will lead end-to-end delivery, coordinate with senior stakeholders, and drive measurable impact for apprentices and Citi as a whole.

Qualifications

• Experience managing programmes or projects within a complex organisational environment.
• Experience managing early career or engagement programmes.
• Background in HR or recruitment with global stakeholder models.
• Proven ability to build relationships across geographies and levels.
• Ability to use data and metrics to evaluate ROI and drive improvements.
• Clear and confident communicator able to consult, negotiate and influence.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the full lifecycle of UK Early Career apprenticeship programmes from planning to delivery.
• Coordinate with Global Head of Early Career Apprenticeships & Engagement to align with strategy.
• Oversee performance management including reviews with training providers and vendors.
• Partner with HR and business stakeholders to identify skills gaps and growth priorities.
• Develop and deliver marketing materials and campaigns to drive candidate engagement.
• Analyze programme data to generate insights for evidence-based decisions.
• Act as the primary contact for Citi's UK apprenticeship vendors.
• Ensure participants and managers are briefed at every stage from onboarding to completion.

Skills

Programme management

Early career programs

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Citi is looking for an experienced Early Career Apprenticeship Programme Manager to take ownership of UK apprenticeship programmes, shaping how the next generation of talent is attracted, selected, and developed across the business. Sitting within the Early Career Apprenticeships & Engagement Team — a specialist function spanning the UK, North America and India — this role plays a central part in delivering programmes that create measurable impact for apprentices, business stakeholders, and Citi as a whole. You will bring both strategic thinking and hands‑on programme delivery to a team where your work directly influences the quality and effectiveness of early career pathways at Citi.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the full lifecycle of UK Early Career apprenticeship programmes, from planning and design through to delivery, performance tracking, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate closely with the Global Head of Early Career Apprenticeships & Engagement to align programme delivery with broader team strategy and objectives.
• Oversee the performance management process for apprentice populations, including regular reviews with training providers and vendors, and proactive support for participants throughout their programme.
• Partner with HR colleagues and business stakeholders to identify skills gaps, understand growth priorities, and ensure programmes are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Develop and deliver marketing materials and campaigns — including UK National Apprenticeship Week activations — in collaboration with the Talent Attraction team to drive candidate engagement.
• Analyse programme and learner data to generate insights that support evidence‑based decisions and improve outcomes across managed programmes.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Citi's UK apprenticeship vendors, including schools’ engagement partners and training providers, maintaining strong working relationships that support best-practice delivery.
• Ensure all programme participants and their managers are fully briefed and equipped at each stage of the programme lifecycle, from onboarding through to completion.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Experience managing programmes or projects within a complex organisational environment, including a formal management or programme ownership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience managing early career or engagement programmes, with a clear understanding of the developmental needs of early talent populations.
• Background in HR or recruitment, with the ability to navigate multi-stakeholder and global operating models effectively.
• Track record of building and maintaining relationships across multiple geographies and organisational levels, including senior business and HR stakeholders.
• Ability to use data and programme metrics to evaluate effectiveness, measure ROI, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Clear and confident communicator who can consult, negotiate, and influence both internal teams and external partners.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Beneficial Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with the financial services industry and an understanding of how large, regulated organisations operate.
• Experience working with schools’ engagement or apprenticeship training providers in a UK context.
• Awareness of risk management principles as they apply to programme governance and vendor oversight.
• Competency in AI tools to enhance programme delivery effectiveness and efficiency

What We Offer

At Citi, you will join a high-performing global team where your work has real impact on the careers of the people we bring into the organisation. This is a role with genuine ownership, collaboration across international teams, and the opportunity to shape programmes that matter — all within a hybrid working environment that supports both professional output and personal balance.

• Hybrid working model — 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely, giving you flexibility without compromising team connection.
• Collaboration with colleagues across the UK, North America and India, working as part of a specialist global Early Career team.
• Genuine programme ownership with the autonomy to drive strategy, influence outcomes, and make evidence-based decisions.
• Access to learning and development opportunities that support your professional growth and career progression within Citi.
• Wellbeing support and work-life balance initiatives designed to sustain long-term performance and personal health.
• Competitive financial wellbeing benefits, including Citi's broader compensation and rewards package.

Job Family Group:

Project and Program Management

Job Family:

Program Management

Time Type:

Full time

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.