Early Careers Manager - Maternity Cover Contract
Because we strive to put people first. Culture, our way. People and Culture at Primark.
What You’ll Do
This Early Careers Manager role is a key part of the Leadership, Talent Development & Culture function. You will lead the design and implementation of a progressive Future Talent strategy to build an inclusive, global pipeline of entry-level talent aligned with strategic business requirements.
The role includes attracting, recruiting and onboarding graduate, intern, placement student and school leaver talent; designing and delivering exceptional programme experiences; and maximising government grants and initiatives such as the UK Apprenticeship Levy.
You will also lead Primark’s Youth Employment agenda, working cross-functionally to improve access to employment, address barriers facing underrepresented young people and strengthen Primark’s contribution to positive youth employment outcomes.
- Partner with business leaders and People & Culture teams to understand future talent and skills requirements.
- Lead the development and delivery of an Early Careers strategy aligned with current and future business needs.
- Own Primark’s Early Careers programmes, ensuring an excellent participant experience and agreed business outcomes.
- Act as subject matter expert for entry-level talent, youth employment and social mobility.
- Scope, develop and launch graduate, apprenticeship, internal mobility and career-change programmes.
- Create development and progression opportunities for Early Careers talent.
- Shape the global Early Careers attraction strategy and proposition.
- Build relationships with education providers, charities, industry bodies and community partners.
What You’ll Bring
- 6+ years’ experience in Early Careers, Future Talent or Employability management roles, ideally in a large, complex and fast-paced organisation.
- Proven success developing and delivering Early Careers or Future Talent strategies and programmes.
- Expertise across attraction, recruitment, onboarding, programme development and talent retention.
- Strong understanding of youth employment, social mobility and barriers facing underrepresented young people.
- Good knowledge of the UK apprenticeship landscape, including eligibility, regulation and funding.
- Experience with government initiatives, funding opportunities and external partnerships.
- Experience and passion for managing and developing people.
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing and collaboration skills.
What You’ll Get
Benefits include healthcare, pension, 27 days of leave plus bank holidays, the option to buy five additional days, Tax Saver Tickets, a fitness centre and a subsidised cafeteria.
About Primark
Founded in Ireland in 1969, Primark is an international fashion retailer with 500 stores across 19 countries in Europe, the US and the Middle East, employing more than 80,000 colleagues.