Summary: Are you a seasoned OD expert with experience in supporting apprenticeships? Do you want to play a pivotal role in shaping the future talent of our company? We are looking for a visionary Emerging Talent Lead to build, grow, and champion our Emerging Talent Programme across South East Water. This isn't just about filling entry-level roles; it's about creating a sustainable legacy. You will be the architect of our future workforce, designing pathways for apprentices, graduates, and career-changers that will sustain our business five years from now and beyond. In this role, you'll have the autonomy to design end-to-end early careers strategies that align with our long-term goals. You'll be managing the apprenticeship levy, navigating government funding rules, and proving that investing in people delivers a real return for our business and our customers. Whether you are an experienced professional looking to leave a lasting impact or a rising star ready to take ownership of a high-profile portfolio, this is your chance to lead a programme with true purpose Main responsibilities: Strategy & Design: Design end-to-end pathways for apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and work placements, ensuring they meet our future skills gaps. Provider Management: Select and review training providers to ensure our talent receives the best possible development. Recruitment & Selection: Partner with our Resourcing team to lead seasonal recruitment cycles, focusing on an excellent candidate experience and expert eligibility checks. Development & Retention: Oversee inductions and establish "Buddy" and "Mentor" programmes to support the professional growth and mental wellbeing of our new recruits. Financial Oversight: Manage the central salary budget for apprentices and act as our sole expert on the apprenticeship levy and government funding rules. Inclusion Advocate: Ensure every stage of the talent lifecycle is designed to minimise bias, while tracking metrics to ensure we reflect the communities we serve. Stakeholder Engagement:Collaborate with department heads and external partners like schools and colleges to create a thriving talent ecosystem.You'll need: Skills / Qualifications / Experience Proven Experience: A solid track record of establishing Emerging Talent or Apprenticeship programmes. Levy Expertise: Hands-on experience in applying the apprenticeship levy and a deep understanding of the Digital Apprenticeship Service. People Development Skills: Direct experience in designing onboarding, induction, and formal mentoring or coaching initiatives. Data & Organisation: Strong data literacy to share successes and expert-level project management skills to handle multiple programmes at once. Stakeholder Management: The ability to influence senior leaders and secure buy-in for new strategies. Education: A degree in HR or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water. Benefits package: Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution. 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service. Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave. Paid volunteering days. Cycle to work scheme. Health cash plan. Life assurance. Wellbeing related benefits.What can you expect from your recruitment? To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career's website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, apply now! South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency. Compensation package: £47,000 - £51,267 depending on experience