Early Careers Manager

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL); Wellington; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Annual bonus

Hybrid and flexible working

Pension contributions up to 10%

Life assurance

5 weeks holiday + bank holidays

Holiday purchase scheme

Health cash plan

Cycle to work scheme

Gym discounts

Long Service rewards

Enhanced maternity/paternity benefits

Onsite gym access

Job summary

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) in the UK is seeking an enthusiastic Early Careers Manager to lead the strategy, management and growth of Early Careers capabilities, including apprenticeships, in collaboration with HR, training providers and academic partners.

Reporting to Head of L&D, this 18-month fixed-term contract focuses on shaping a positive, inclusive experience and delivering effective programmes while balancing strategic and operational responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Strong stakeholder engagement across all levels.
• Inspirational people manager with coaching style.
• Experience managing apprenticeship levy processes and partnerships (desirable).
• Passion for early careers and shaping tomorrow's talent.
• Ability to manage numbers and budgets.
• Proactive and adaptable in changing environments.
• Excellent communication and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Drive and deliver the Early careers programme across the business.
• Source training providers and manage ongoing relationships, incl. reviews.
• Partner with HR to establish learning pathways and run apprenticeships.
• Manage and utilise the Apprenticeship Levy to support strategy.
• Lead, coach and develop placement managers and apprentice mentors.
• Support Early Careers and L&D budget within HR Cost Centre.
• Enhance the early careers proposition, attend external events and build external network.
• Implement performance metrics impacting quality and diversity of programmes.
• Engage Early Careers population to improve retention and success.
• Line manage the Apprentice population daily.
• Organise and deliver annual Early Careers events (World of Work Day, Work Experience, EC Induction).
• Support broader L&D initiatives for team capability.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

People management

Apprenticeship levy

Early careers passion

Budget management

Adaptable

Project management

Job description

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Early Career Manager

HR Telford, Hybrid 18 Months FTC Closing Date 6/11/2026

About the Company

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) is a defence engineering company based in the UK. We design, manufacture and support military vehicles used by the British Army and international customers.

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and practice Early Careers Manager to lead and own the strategy, management and growth of Early Careers capability, acting as the specialist for the apprentice population and working closely with key stakeholders, HR colleagues, and training providers such as colleges, schools and universities.

Reporting to Head of L&D to manage the end-to-end experience of Early Careers.

This is a fixed-term contract for 18 months, offering the opportunity to shape and contribute to our wider talent strategy and help create a positive, inclusive and impactful experience for emerging early career talent.

The role will require you to operate with confidence at both a strategic and operational level to engage with HR and stakeholders to drive Early Careers programme and deliver effective programmes.

Responsibilities:

• Drive and deliver the Early careers programme across the business
• Source training providers and manage the relationship on an ongoing basis, including supplier reviews to ensure they deliver the required standards
• Partner closely with the wider HR Team, understanding the capabilities and skills required to establish clear learning pathways for early careers as well as to run existing ongoing apprenticeships
• Manage and utilise the Apprenticeship Levy to develop capabilities to deliver our strategy
• Lead, coach and develop a team of placement managers and apprentice mentors
• Support the management of the Early Careers and Learning and Development budget in HR Cost Centre
• Enhance the early careers proposition, attend external events, build a strong external network and provide recommendations supporting the business strategy
• Implement performance metrics that impact quality and diversity of programmes
• Continually work with the Early Careers population, ensuring that they are retained to be successful within the business
• Day to day line manage the Apprentice population
• Organise and deliver annual Early Careers events such as World of Work Day, Work Experience, EC Induction etc.
• Support wider Learning and Development initiatives to support team capability and business need

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS YOU SHOULD HAVE

This is a very hands-on role within our Early Careers function as such we are looking for someone with:

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills - able to influence across all levels
• Inspirational people manager with a coaching style
• Experience managing apprenticeship levy processes and partnerships (desirable)
• A passion for early careers and a drive to shape the talent of tomorrow
• Ability to manage numbers and budget
• Proactive approach and able to adapt in a changing environment
• You must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and an ability to manage multiple projects at one time.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

RBSL strives to be an employer of choice and to foster a culture in which our employees are supported to build a career they can be proud.

Through our contracts to deliver world-class products and support services, we offer great opportunities for personal development and career advancement via specialist technical roles, essential support functions, and broader leadership positions.

In addition, RBSL offer:

• Competitive salaries reviewed each year against market rates
• Annual bonus incentive scheme for all employees
• 37 hours over 4.5 days working week
• Employer pension contributions up to 10%
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Life assurance cover
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Health cash plan
• Salary sacrifice benefits including cycle to work and electric vehicles schemes
• Access to high street and gym discounts and cashback
• Long Service rewards with additional holiday
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits
• Free access to onsite gym

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Person: Iwona Kurpiewska

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

RBSL is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The company is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information or parental status. We base all our employment decisions based on merit, job requirements and business needs.

Please be aware that many roles working for RBSL will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.