Manager, Early Career Programs

Hancock Whitney Corp.; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hancock Whitney Corp. in the United States seeks a Manager, Early Career Programs to design, implement, and oversee internship programs, post-graduate rotations, and entry-level talent pipelines.

You will partner with business leaders, HR, universities, and community partners to build a diverse, high-performing early talent pipeline, set KPIs, and continuously improve programs while embedding inclusion across all activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Advanced degree preferred. 6+ years of HR, talent development or D&I experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage enterprise-wide early career programs including internships and rotations.
• Lead end-to-end program cycles: recruitment, onboarding, development, evaluation, offboarding.
• Create program curricula such as workshops, cohort experiences, leadership exposure, and coaching.
• Establish KPIs and accountability frameworks; drive continuous process improvement.
• Monitor, report on program effectiveness, and implement enhancements as needed.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to build strong early talent pipelines and campus recruitment.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with universities, community organizations, and professional programs.
• Represent the organization at campus events and external early-career networks; train managers.

Skills

Communication

Facilitation

Influencing

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

JOB FUNCTION / SUMMARY:

The Manager, Early Career Programs is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive early talent programs that attract, develop, and retain emerging professionals. This role oversees internship programs, post-graduate rotational programs, and entry-level talent pipelines, ensuring alignment with organizational workforce planning needs and long-term talent development goals. The manager partners closely with business leaders, HR, universities, and community partners to build a sustainable, diverse, and high-performing early talent pipeline.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and execute enterprise-wide early career talent programs to include internships and early career rotational programs aligned with organizational goals. Manage end-to-end program cycles, including recruitment, onboarding, development, performance evaluation, and offboarding. Create and deliver program curriculum such as workshops, cohort experiences, leadership exposure opportunities, and developmental coaching. Establish success metrics and accountability frameworks for continuous process improvement. Monitor and report on program effectiveness through metrics, participant feedback, and business outcomes; implement enhancements as needed. Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to build strong early talent pipelines and campus recruitment strategies. Develop and maintain partnerships with universities, technical schools, community organizations, and professional development programs. Represent the organization at campus events, career fairs, and external early-career networks. Train and support managers who host early-career talent, ensuring clarity in expectations and coaching best practices. Integrate inclusion and belonging principles into all aspects of early career programming and outreach.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Advanced degree preferred. 6 years of experience in human resources, talent development or diversity & inclusion. Experience supporting or partnering with campus recruitment strategies and university relations preferred. Proven experience in designing, implementing and managing inclusion, leadership, or talent development initiatives that drive measurable impact. Experience leading programs that drive associate growth, retention and engagement. Demonstrated ability to drive enterprise-wide initiatives and build strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen diverse talent pipelines. Experience establishing KPIs, analyzing data, and reporting results to executives. Strong communication, facilitation, and influencing skills to engage leaders and teams enterprise wide.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to travel if required to perform the essential job functions. Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines. Ability to operate related equipment to perform the essential job functions. Ability to read and interpret a document if required to perform the essential job functions. Ability to lift/move/carry approximately 10 pounds if required to perform the essential job functions. If the employee is unable to lift/move/carry this weight and can be accommodated without causing the department/division an "undue hardship" then the employee must be accommodated; hence omitting lifting/moving/carrying as a physical requirement.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability or history of disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, disabled veteran, or other protected characteristics as required by federal, state and local laws.

When you choose a career with Hancock Whitney (Nasdaq: HWC), we pledge a heartfelt promise: You can grow. You have a voice. You are important. You also share in a rich regional heritage and embrace core values—timeless ideals vital to our culture since the 1800s—that inspire how we serve clients, communities, and each other: Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility.

A fast-growing organization consistently rated among America’s strongest, safest financial services institutions, our company is based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Our bank and subsidiaries provide contemporary, comprehensive consumer, commercial, and wealth financial products and services at regional headquarters and 200-plus financial centers across a vibrant Southeast corridor including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

Each day, our nearly 4,000 associates carry on a mission to help people achieve their financial goals and dreams.

We come to work to create opportunities for the people we serve in the communities we call home.

Together, we continue building a company solidly focused on being better, going beyond, and doing more to secure success for the people and businesses depending on us.

Let our legacy lead to your future.