Job Title: Early Careers Lead Location: Wherstead Park, Ipswich, Suffolk Salary: £30,000 – £40,000 per annum Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday Contract Type: Permanent, Hybrid working (adhering to our hybrid working policy) Reporting to: Talent Leader Team: Talent & Culture Team Job Share Option: Not available Closing Date: Sunday 1st June 2025, first stage interviews to carried out week commencing 9th June 2025. About the Role: Are you passionate about supporting people to take their first steps into rewarding careers? We’re looking for an innovative and proactive Early Careers Lead to join our Talent & Culture Team at the East of England Co-op. In this exciting new role, you’ll lead the design and delivery of a strategic early careers programme across our business, including apprenticeships and internships. You’ll create career pathways that support our long-term workforce planning, while ensuring we maximise the use of the apprenticeship levy. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in a values-led organisation by helping us build a diverse and sustainable talent pipeline for the future. What You’ll Be Doing: Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive early careers strategy, including apprenticeships, internship schemes and development pathways. Build and nurture partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, and training providers to grow our early careers talent pool. Oversee the colleague journey for early careers participants, ensuring high-quality experiences, development support, and progression. Act as the key contact for training providers and ensure compliance with apprenticeship levy regulations. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within all early careers initiatives, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. What You’ll Need: Proven experience in early careers, talent acquisition, or learning and development within a large or multi-site organisation. Strong knowledge of the apprenticeship levy and early careers programme design. Experience working with education providers to develop talent pipelines. A passion for diversity and inclusion, with a track record of creating accessible and inclusive programmes. Excellent stakeholder engagement, project management, and communication skills. Why Join Us? At East of England Co-op, our values are at the heart of everything we do. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our workforce in a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer staff discounts, hybrid working, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. Click Apply now to help shape the future of early careers at our Co-op.