Early Careers Development Specialist

As our Early Careers Development Specialist you will develop and coordinate early careers programs for technical apprenticeships, graduate placements, and other initiatives to support the development of our future talent pipeline. Serve as a subject matter expert, promoting our employer brand externally to attract top early careers talent and raise awareness of our company values and diverse opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with HR Delivery and Talent Acquisition to plan appropriate apprenticeship programmes and develop selection methodologies to meet resourcing needs.
• Design, manage, and administer the graduate scheme, ensuring smooth transitions and effective development activities.
• Identify and gain approval for value-adding programs,
• Ensure all early careers programs align with business and technical goals.
• Oversee onboarding and induction for early talent.
• Build and manage relationships with external providers and internal stakeholders to ensure the ongoing success of early careers programmes.
• Work with learning and development to create suitable role pathways, establish training and secure budget approval.
• Monitor learners and programmes, providing coaching and mentoring to support learner engagement and progression.
• Monitor program compliance with regulatory requirements, track success, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Build partnerships with schools, colleges, and universities to create diverse pipelines for critical roles.
• Promote Affinity Water at careers fairs within our supply area to enhance brand reputation and connect with local stakeholders.
• Seek and evaluate participant feedback and other opportunities to further enhance our early careers offering, improve programme success and address diversity gaps.

Key requirements:

• Strong knowledge of apprenticeship and graduate frameworks, levy funding and industry standards.
• Experience in apprenticeships, graduate programs, work experience initiatives and learning and development.
• Proven ability to design and implement development programs.
• Stakeholder management experience.
• Familiarity with early careers recruitment and sourcing strategies.
• Degree or equivalent experience in learning & development or HR.
• Some travel to various sites within our supply area will be required so a clean driving license and reliable means of transportation will be required.

For full Job Description please email hayley.savory@affinitywater.co.uk

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary based on skills and experience
• Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
• Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
• Annual leave from 26 days rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
• A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
• A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)
• We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
• Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
• Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
• Disability confident (if you need to apply through a different format, please contact the Talent Acquisition Partner for this role)

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.