Emerging Talent Manager

JR United Kingdom; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization based in Edinburgh is seeking a senior Emerging Talent and Performance professional to drive early careers initiatives. The role involves strategic leadership of graduate programmes and team management, with a focus on enhancing talent attraction, development, and retention. This is an urgent opening with an immediate start preferred.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in emerging talent, early careers, or graduate programme leadership.
• Strong track record in strategy and stakeholder engagement.
• Comfortable managing budgets and leading high-impact programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy and execution of graduate and intern initiatives across the business.
• Manage and develop a small team of experienced professionals.
• Utilize data to measure success and inform talent decisions.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Leadership

Talent attraction

Job description

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Remote - Ad hoc travel required to London

Initially 6 months (Inside IR35)

Urgent need!!

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior Emerging Talent and Performance professional to lead a critical early careers agenda at a large, well-established organisation. The team is high-performing, and the graduate and intern programmes are highly visible and well-supported internally.

The Role

You’ll lead the strategy and execution of graduate, intern, and early careers initiatives across the business. This includes designing talent pathways, overseeing programme delivery, managing a small team, and driving long-term improvements in development, retention, and internal mobility. There is an immediate need to stabilise, align, and drive delivery; while also influencing longer-term strategy.

Key Focus Areas

• Owning the strategy and execution for graduate and intern schemes
• Managing and developing a small team of experienced professionals
• Partnering across Talent Acquisition, Learning, and the wider people function
• Using data to define outcomes, measure success, and shape decision-making
• Large Budget management
• Leading on rotations, performance milestones, and alumni engagement
• Enhancing talent attraction, experience, and retention

What You’ll Bring

• Senior-level experience in emerging talent, early careers, or graduate programme leadership
• Strong track record in strategy, delivery, and stakeholder engagement
• Confident operating autonomously in complex, matrixed organisations
• Data-savvy with experience using insights to shape talent decisions
• Passion for early talent development, with a collaborative and energised approach
• Comfortable managing budgets and leading high-impact programmes

Additional Info

• Immediate start preferred
• Potential for extension or to go permanent, depending on fit and business needs

Interested?

If you’re passionate about emerging talent and ready to make an impact in a dynamic and visible role, get in touch today.