Talent Pipeline Lead - Early Careers & Apprenticeships

Arriva Group; Sefton; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva Group is seeking an experienced Early Careers & Apprenticeship Manager to lead the development, delivery and performance of early careers programmes across Arriva UK Bus operations. The role focuses on apprenticeships, graduate programmes, internships and other talent pathways to build sustainable pipelines and align with workforce planning and business priorities.

You will lead end-to-end apprenticeship programmes, maximise levy investment, and partner with leaders, HR, Talent

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing apprenticeship and/or early careers programmes within operational, engineering, transport, logistics or similarly complex environments.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence leaders, managers, training providers and external partners.
• Data-driven with experience measuring programme performance and business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver Operations Early Careers strategy aligned to workforce planning and business priorities.
• Lead design and implementation of apprenticeship pathways across functions (operational, engineering, business support).
• Coordinate broader early careers initiatives (graduate programmes, internships, work experience).
• Manage end-to-end apprenticeship lifecycle (attraction, recruitment, onboarding, progression, outcomes).
• Monitor learner engagement and programme KPIs, implementing improvements as needed.
• Engage with schools, colleges, universities and industry bodies to build talent pipelines.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Programme management

Data-driven decision making

Communication

Travel readiness

Job description

Arriva Group is seeking an experienced Early Careers & Apprenticeship Manager to lead the development, delivery and performance of early careers programmes across Arriva UK Bus operations. The role focuses on apprenticeships, graduate programmes, internships and other talent pathways to build sustainable pipelines and align with workforce planning and business priorities.

You will lead end-to-end apprenticeship programmes, maximise levy investment, and partner with leaders, HR, Talent