Early Careers and Talent Development Manager (12 Month FTC)

WSP; Leeds; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Leeds, United Kingdom, is seeking an experienced leader to drive Early Careers and Talent Development across the UK, Ireland and South Africa during a 12-month maternity cover. You will lead the Early Careers Development team, ensure continuity of onboarding and develop regional solutions aligned to global frameworks, delivering measurable business impact.

The role requires managing multiple stakeholders, guiding onboarding, and promoting development programmes within a large, global

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading Early Careers and development programmes.
• Experience with graduate and apprenticeship programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management and senior leadership partnering.
• Ability to travel regularly.
• Experience operating in large, complex organisations.
• Experience coaching and developing high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee regional delivery of Early Careers priorities and objectives.
• Lead onboarding experiences for new starters, improving integration and retention.
• Translate global frameworks into practical regional solutions meeting local needs.
• Contribute to design, implementation and improvement of global programmes from a regional perspective.
• Represent Early Careers portfolios in regional/global forums with stakeholders.
• Support apprenticeship programmes and monitor policy, funding and delivery developments.
• Design engaging learning experiences, workshops and interventions to build capability.
• Manage external vendors and partners ensuring value for money and alignment.
• Lead other related priorities and initiatives as required.
• Use data and feedback to evaluate impact and drive improvements.

Job description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

We are seeking an experienced Early Careers and Talent Development leader to provide continuity of leadership and oversee the delivery of agreed Early Careers development, onboarding and talent development priorities across the UK, Ireland and South Africa during a 12-month period of maternity cover.

Reporting to the Director of Learning & Development, the role is responsible for leading the Early Careers Development team and will provide leadership across Early Careers development, onboarding and talent programmes, ensuring continuity, effective delivery and the adoption of agreed priorities and initiatives.

Acting as a point of contact for leaders, HR stakeholders and the business, the role will represent the portfolio across regional and global forums, translating agreed strategic priorities and global frameworks into practical regional programmes, initiatives and solutions that deliver measurable business impact.

The role is responsible for leading assigned projects, programmes and initiatives, ensuring effective governance, stakeholder engagement and successful outcomes.

The role will contribute regional insight and recommendations to support the ongoing enhancement of global programmes and frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the Early Careers Development team’s delivery of agreed regional priorities, programmes and objectives.
• Lead the continued delivery of the onboarding experience for all new starters, implementing improvements that enhance integration, engagement, business readiness and retention.
• Lead the regional adoption of global Early Careers and onboarding frameworks, translating strategy into practical solutions that meet local business needs and deliver measurable impact.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and continuous improvement of global Early Careers programmes and initiatives, representing regional perspectives and supporting successful adoption.
• Represent the Early Careers and onboarding portfolios in regional and global forums, building strong stakeholder relationships and providing expert advice and recommendations to leaders.
• Support the effective delivery of WSP’s apprenticeship programmes, monitoring external developments and recommending proportionate responses to changes in policy, funding and programme delivery.
• Design and facilitate engaging learning experiences, workshops and development interventions that support programme outcomes, enhance participant experience and build capability.
• Manage external vendors and partners, ensuring quality, value for money and alignment with programme objectives.
• Lead other related priorities, projects and initiatives as agreed.
• Use data, insight and feedback to evaluate programme effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement and demonstrate business impact.

What we would be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Significant experience leading the delivery of Early Careers, talent or development programmes within a large, complex organisation, including graduate and apprenticeship programmes.
• In-depth understanding of the Early Careers landscape, including apprenticeship policy, funding and emerging programme developments.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams, providing clear direction, maintaining alignment and enabling delivery of agreed objectives.
• Experience implementing and enhancing talent, development or employee experience programmes, including onboarding, learning and career development initiatives.
• Proven experience leading projects and programmes across multiple stakeholder groups, operating with a high degree of autonomy and translating strategic direction into clear plans, actions and outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience partnering with senior leaders, building credibility, supporting decision-making and escalating significant risks and strategic matters appropriately.
• Ability to create alignment across stakeholders and project teams to support coordinated and successful delivery.
• Experience facilitating engaging learning experiences, workshops and development interventions.
• Ability to travel regularly to fulfil the requirements of the role

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?