Next Generation/Early Careers Programme Manager

CBRE UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE UK in London is seeking an Early Careers Programme Manager for a 12-month maternity cover. The role leads the delivery and improvement of graduate, internship and apprenticeship programmes, creating experiences that attract and develop high-potential early talent.

You will partner with business leaders, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development and HR to manage the end-to-end participant journey, using data and feedback to evolve programmes and meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an early careers role within a fast-paced organisation.
• Experience delivering graduate, internship, or apprenticeship programmes across the participant lifecycle.
• Strong programme and project management skills coordinating multiple activities and stakeholders.
• Understanding of early careers frameworks and talent development approaches.
• Excellent stakeholder management with business leaders and HR partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead attraction and recruitment campaigns for graduates, interns and apprentices.
• Design and deliver an inclusive selection experience, including assessment centres and interviews.
• Own the end-to-end participant experience across multiple business areas.
• Build relationships with placement managers to create rotational experiences.
• Provide coaching and guidance to participants throughout their journey.
• Monitor engagement, performance and development to maximise potential.
• Collaborate with Learning & Development, HR and stakeholders to deliver development programmes.
• Use data and feedback to measure effectiveness and present recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Continuously review and enhance the early careers offering and career pathways.
• Support workforce planning and transition participants into permanent roles.

Skills

Early careers

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Job description

Job Title: Early Careers Programme Manager

Location: London, with travel across Uk regional offices

About the Role

This is an exciting 12-month maternity cover opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future talent pipeline at CBRE. As a Next Generation Programme Manager, you'll lead the delivery and continuous improvement of our graduate, internship and apprenticeship programmes, creating exceptional experiences that attract, develop and retain high-potential early careers talent.

Working closely with business leaders, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development and HR colleagues, you'll manage the end-to-end participant journey, from attraction and onboarding through to development and career progression. You'll also use data, feedback and market insights to identify opportunities to enhance our programmes and ensure they continue to meet the evolving needs of both participants and the business.

This role sits within the People team, specifically the Early Careers team, which is responsible for attracting, developing and retaining emerging talent across CBRE's UK Advisory business. The team partners closely with business leaders to design and deliver graduate, internship and apprenticeship programmes that build future talent pipelines and support long-term business growth.

This is a London-based, full-time, 12-month fixed-term maternity cover position with a hybrid working arrangement. You'll collaborate with colleagues across the UK and have the opportunity to make a visible impact on the careers of emerging talent while helping shape the future workforce of CBRE. You will be required to travel to our regional offices.

What You'll Do

• Lead the attraction and recruitment of graduates, interns and apprentices, creating engaging campaigns that bring the CBRE employee value proposition to life. Partner with Talent Acquisition, universities and external networks to build CBRE's reputation as an employer of choice for early careers talent.
• Design and deliver a high-quality, inclusive selection experience, including assessment centres, interviews and candidate engagement activities, ensuring every candidate has a positive and professional experience from application through to onboarding.
• Own the end-to-end participant experience, coordinating programme delivery across multiple business areas and ensuring graduates, interns and apprentices have meaningful development opportunities, exposure to the business and a strong sense of belonging.
• Build and manage relationships with business leaders and placement managers to create impactful rotational experiences that accelerate learning, broaden commercial awareness and support long-term career development.
• Act as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact for programme participants, providing coaching, guidance and support throughout their journey, while helping them navigate career development opportunities and professional qualification pathways.
• Monitor participant engagement, performance and development, identifying opportunities to maximise potential, enhance retention and ensure participants are able to thrive and succeed.
• Partner closely with Learning & Development, HR and business stakeholders to deliver development programmes, mentoring initiatives and learning experiences that support both individual and business growth.
• Use data, insight and participant feedback to measure programme effectiveness, identify trends and present recommendations to senior stakeholders on programme performance, talent outcomes and future investment.
• Continuously review, challenge and enhance the early careers offering, identifying opportunities to improve programme design, participant experience, development pathways and operational effectiveness to ensure CBRE remains at the forefront of early careers talent development.
• Support workforce planning and talent pipeline discussions, managing the transition of participants into permanent roles and helping to build a sustainable future talent strategy for the business.

What You Will Need

• Proven experience in an early careers role, ideally within a fast paced, complex organisation.
• Experience supporting and delivering graduate, apprenticeship, internship, placement, or other early talent programmes, with a strong understanding of the participant lifecycle from attraction and onboarding through to development and retention.
• Strong programme and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities, manage timelines, and deliver high-quality outcomes across a range of stakeholders.
• Understanding of early careers programme frameworks, talent development approaches, and emerging best practice in attracting, developing, and engaging early talent.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credible relationships with business leaders, HR Business Partners, learning teams, educational institutions, and external providers.
• Strong analytical and data management skills, with experience maintaining accurate programme records, producing meaningful reporting, and using data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Excellent communication and coaching skills, with the ability to support, guide, and engage early careers participants at different stages of their development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast paced, evolving environment, balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders while maintaining attention to detail and delivering results.
• A proactive and organised approach, with a genuine commitment to creating an inclusive and positive experience for early talent.

Why CBRE

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward‑thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values - respect, integrity, service and excellence - and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Applicant AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.