Early Careers Manager - Maternity Cover Contract

Because we strive to put people first.  

Culture, our way. 

People and Culture at Primark

What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.  

What You’ll Do

This Early Careers Manager role is key part of the Leadership, Talent Development & Culture function and will play a lead role in designing and implementing a progressive Future Talent (Early Careers) strategy to ensure Primark has a strong, inclusive, global pipeline of entry-level talent aligned with strategic business requirements – this includes helping Primark to attract, recruit, and onboard top graduate, intern, placement student, and school leaver talent. The role will have a specific focus on scoping, designing and delivering exceptional programme experiences as well as maximising global government grants and initiatives (e.g., the UK Apprenticeship Levy) to support talent attraction and development in line with key future capabilities. Not only will the role focus on exceptional programme experiences, but it will also lead plans to ensure talent stay, have longer term careers at Primark, and become future leaders.

The role will also lead Primark's Youth Employment agenda, driving cross-functional collaboration through the Youth Employment Working Group to identify opportunities to improve access to employment, address barriers facing underrepresented young people, and strengthen Primark's contribution to positive youth employment outcomes in the communities it serves.

We want you to feel challenged and inspired. Here, you’ll develop your skills across a range of responsibilities:

• Partner with business leaders and P&C teams to understand future talent and skills requirements, using these insights to shape Primark’s Future Talent and Early Careers strategy.
• Lead the development and delivery of a progressive Early Careers strategy, building sustainable talent pipelines aligned with current and future business needs.
• Take overall ownership of Primark’s Early Careers programmes, ensuring they deliver an excellent participant experience and achieve agreed business outcomes and success measures.
• Act as Primark’s subject matter expert for entry-level talent, youth employment and social mobility, influencing internal strategy and representing Primark through relevant external partnerships and industry networks.
• Scope, develop and launch new Future Talent programmes and pathways, including graduate, apprenticeship, internal mobility and career-change initiatives.
• Partner across Talent, Learning & Development and the wider P&C community to create development and progression opportunities for Early Careers talent, supporting longer-term capability and leadership pipelines.
• Shape Primark’s Early Careers attraction strategy and proposition, supporting markets globally while identifying opportunities for greater alignment, consistency and efficiency.
• Lead Primark’s youth employment agenda, building strong relationships with education providers, charities, industry bodies and community partners to broaden access to career opportunities.

What You’ll Bring  

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular: 

• 6+ years’ experience in Early Careers, Future Talent or Employability management roles, ideally within a large, complex and fast-paced organisation.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering successful Early Careers/Future Talent strategies and programmes, with clear evidence of impact and outcomes.
• Strong expertise across the full Early Careers lifecycle, including attraction, recruitment, onboarding, programme development and longer-term talent retention.
• Strong understanding of youth employment and social mobility, including barriers faced by underrepresented young people and experience developing initiatives that improve access and outcomes.
• Good knowledge of the UK apprenticeship landscape, including eligibility requirements, regulation and funding.
• Experience of working with government initiatives, funding opportunities and external partnerships relevant to Early Careers and Future Talent.
• Experienced and passionate people manager, with a track record of leading and developing Early Careers, Talent or Learning professionals.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the credibility to partner effectively with senior leaders and collaborate across functions and markets.

What You’ll Get 

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle:   

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.  

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.  

About Primark 

Primark was founded on a mission that everyone deserves to look and feel good – without paying more. We stand for great value without compromise, offering affordable fashion and everyday essentials that are made to last. Founded in Ireland in 1969, Primark is now an international fashion retailer with 500 stores across 19 countries in Europe, the US and the Middle East, employing more than 80,000 colleagues. Millions of shopper’s trust Primark every week for everything from everyday essentials like t-shirts and socks, to the latest fashion trends – all at unbeatable prices.

Primark is built on a belief and passion for physical stores – helping to bring high streets and retail centres to life and creating joyful, social experiences. The company is focused on driving positive change by giving clothing a longer life, protecting life on the planet and supporting the livelihoods of the people who make Primark clothes.