Early Talent Programs Lead

Laing O'Rourke; United Kingdom; On-site; Full time

Job description

Join Laing O'Rourke and help shape the future of tomorrow's workforce. We're looking for a highly organised, people-focused coordinator to support our graduate, apprentice and placement programmes.

Are you curious, people-driven, and ready to make a real impact?

Role overview

This is a hands‑on role that combines end‑to‑end recruitment and programme coordination, and event delivery. The goal is to deliver exceptional, high‑impact Early Talent programmes that empower our graduates, apprentices and placement students to achieve their full potential.

They will enjoy the 'behind the scenes' work it takes to deliver exceptional learning, including organisation, clear communication, prioritisation, and a strong attention to detail, and be energised by supporting the delivery of learning events and experiences on the day, with a strong emphasis on the learner experience.

If you're organised, proactive, detail‑oriented and enjoy building relationships, this is a great opportunity to make a real impact while developing your own career in talent and learning.

What you'll bring

• Excellent organisation and communication skills
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Coordinate all aspects of Early Talent programme delivery
• Manage learning administration, including attendance tracking, learner communications (joining instructions, pre‑learning and any reasonable adjustments needed)
• Manage event logistics including liaising with trainers and internal presenters, internal/external venue booking, hotel booking, catering and activity/entertainment planning
• Proactively oversee learning processes such as invoice management, purchase orders, venue contracts, and supplier coordination.
• Produce programme reports and track completion, attendance, and engagement metrics.
• Support onboarding activities for new starters, ensuring all pre‑employment and induction requirements are completed.

Join a supportive team where you'll help develop the next generation of industry talent while gaining valuable experience in recruitment, learning and development, and programme delivery.

About us

We are an international engineering and construction company delivering state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term health conditions and disabilities through the 'Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know prior to interview what adjustments are required as well as discussing how we can support you in the workplace.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email [e-mail]

Principal Estimator

At Laing O'Rourke, we are redefining the future of construction through engineering excellence, innovation, and collaborative delivery. As a Principal Estimator, you will play a pivotal role in securing major projects that shape communities and critical infrastructure. Working alongside some of the industry's leading professionals, you will influence strategic decisions, develop winning solutions, and help drive the continued growth of one of the world's most respected engineering enterprises.

The Opportunity

At Laing O'Rourke, our estimating teams are at the heart of securing some of the most complex and rewarding projects across the UK and beyond. As a Principal Estimator, you will play a leading role in shaping winning strategies, developing commercial solutions, and supporting the delivery of landmark infrastructure and construction projects.

This is an opportunity to influence major business decisions from the earliest stages of project development, working alongside industry‑leading professionals across engineering, commercial, procurement, planning, and delivery functions. You will also help develop future estimating talent while driving innovation and continuous improvement across the work‑winning process.

What you will be doing

You will be a trusted expert within the business, providing strategic estimating leadership across major bids and opportunities. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will help shape competitive solutions, manage complex tender submissions, and support the successful conversion of opportunities into secured work.

• Leading estimating activities across major, complex and strategically important bids.
• Developing bid strategies, identifying opportunities for innovation, and supporting successful negotiations.
• Managing, mentoring and developing estimating professionals to build capability and future talent.
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver commercially robust and competitive solutions.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced estimating leader who combines technical expertise with strong commercial awareness and a collaborative approach. You will be confident influencing stakeholders, leading teams, and delivering high‑quality outcomes in a fast‑paced environment.

• Significant experience leading complex estimating and tendering activities within construction, infrastructure, engineering or related sectors.
• Proven ability to influence bid strategy and develop winning commercial solutions.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing teams within a project or work‑winning environment.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and problem‑solving skills, supported by relevant professional qualifications or industry accreditation.

What you can expect

Joining Laing O'Rourke means becoming part of an internationally recognised engineering enterprise that is redefining how the built environment is designed, delivered and operated. You will have the opportunity to work on industry‑leading projects while continuing to develop your own career and leadership capability.

• The opportunity to influence major projects and contribute to the long‑term growth of the business.
• Exposure to innovative delivery methods, digital engineering and modern construction techniques.
• A supportive environment that encourages professional development, knowledge sharing and career progression.
• The chance to work alongside some of the industry's most experienced and respected professionals.

About us

We are an international engineering and construction company delivering state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term health conditions and disabilities through the 'Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know prior to interview what adjustments are required as well as discussing how we can support you in the workplace.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email [e-mail]