Early Careers Manager

WPS; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career development opportunities

Job summary

WPS is seeking an Early Careers Manager in London to lead the development and delivery of our Early Careers strategy across apprenticeships, traineeships and graduate pathways. You will manage the full lifecycle from attraction through progression and partner with Talent Acquisition to drive inclusive campaigns and partnerships with colleges and industry bodies.

You will monitor performance, design development programmes, manage budgets and leverage funding streams such as the Apprenticeship

Qualifications

• Experience leading Early Careers, Apprenticeship, Graduate or Trainee programmes.
• Strong understanding of Apprenticeship Levy funding and related grants.
• Experience designing and delivering apprenticeship/graduate development programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and ability to influence senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the Early Careers Strategy across apprenticeships, traineeships and graduate pathways.
• Manage full early careers lifecycle from attraction to progression.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition on attraction campaigns with inclusion objectives.
• Identify relationships with colleges, universities and training providers.
• Monitor performance and provide guidance to managers and learners.
• Design trainee development programmes and chartership opportunities.
• Manage events, inductions and STEM initiatives.
• Maximise use of Apprenticeship Levy and other funding streams.
• Produce workforce and ROI reporting to support strategic decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Workforce planning

Budget management

Excel reporting

Data analysis

Tools

Excel

Job description

Early Careers Manager

Finsbury Park, London

WPS

Hybrid Working Available

Full Time | Permanent

Shape the Future Talent of WPS

Are you passionate about developing the next generation of talent?

What You’ll Be Doing

• Developing and delivering the WPS Early Careers Strategy across apprenticeships, traineeships and graduate pathways
• Managing the full early careers lifecycle, from attraction and recruitment through to qualification completion and career progression
• Partnering with Talent Acquisition to create engaging attraction campaigns that support diversity, inclusion and social value objectives
• Identifying and managing relationships with colleges, universities, training providers and industry partners
• Monitoring apprentice and trainee performance, providing guidance and support to managers and learners
• Designing and enhancing trainee development programmes, professional pathways and chartership opportunities
• Managing networking events, inductions, professional development activities and STEM initiatives
• Maximising utilisation of the Apprenticeship Levy, CITB funding and other available funding streams
• Managing professional and academic qualification programmes and associated budgets
• Producing insightful workforce, performance and ROI reporting to support strategic talent decisions

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience leading Early Careers, Apprenticeship, Graduate or Trainee programmes
• Strong understanding of Apprenticeship Levy funding, CITB grants and apprenticeship standards
• Experience maximising apprenticeship levy utilisation and securing value from available funding opportunities
• Experience managing professional qualifications, academic development pathways and chartership routes
• Strong knowledge of workforce planning, talent pipelines and future skills requirements
• Experience designing and delivering successful apprenticeship, trainee or graduate development programmes
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and operational teams
• Strong commercial awareness and budget management experience
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills with the ability to analyse and present meaningful workforce data
• Passion for developing future talent and creating outstanding learner experiences

Why Join WPS?

At WPS, we’re committed to investing in our people and creating career opportunities that have a lasting impact.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Excellent career development opportunities
• Opportunity to shape and lead our Early Careers strategy
• Responsibility for a significant apprenticeship levy investment
• Opportunity to build social value through meaningful career pathways

At WPS, we believe in developing potential, creating opportunities and building careers that make a difference. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

WPS is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

We don’t discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at [e-mail]