People Team Graduate in Manchester

Key Dates

• Assessment Day - 1st April 2026
• Final Stage Interview - 2nd April 2026

Working as part of the People Team, the People Team Graduate will rotate across Recruitment, Employee Relations and Learning & Development, gaining hands-on experience across the full employee lifecycle. This role supports colleagues and managers by providing timely, accurate advice and operational support. The role contributes to a positive colleague experience and helps strengthen our inclusive, people-centred culture.

What you’ll be doing as a graduate at Great Places

• Recruitment & Onboarding
  • Manage the recruitment inbox and respond/escalate queries
  • Post and update job adverts through our recruitment portal; Networx and monitor the credit usage of Networx
  • Support shortlisting for high volume or entry level posts
  • Coordinate interviews, book rooms, and prepare candidate materials
  • Assist with group interviews, assessment days and observe panel interviews for development
  • Maintain recruitment trackers, vacancy data and new starter information
  • Collaborate with HR Admin to support the progression from offer to contract issue
  • Produce regular recruitment activity reports (e.g. EDI, time to hire)
  • Represent Great Places at careers fairs, job fairs and community events
• Learning, Development & Internal Support
  • Supporting the coordination of our apprenticeship and graduate programme, Growing Greatness, including recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing support for those involved
• Employee Relations & HR Support
  • Provide first line support to managers and colleagues in line with People policies and procedures
  • Support sickness absence processes, including preparing documentation and completing Occupational Health referrals
  • Attend and take notes for ER meetings, including investigations, Back on Track meetings and flexible working discussions
  • Maintain accurate colleague data and ensure compliance with GDPR and internal processes
  • Direct colleagues and managers to appropriate policies and guidance documents

What we are looking for

• Someone who will maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information
• Professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity
• A commitment to understand the challenges and opportunities that exist in the communities in which we work. We particularly value lived experience in social housing
• Someone who wants to build a career with purpose
• A team player who brings a positive, helpful attitude
• Someone open to learning and developing their skills and experience
• A good listener who takes pride in detail and follow-through
• Someone who is motivated by improving people’s lives

What you’ll need

• A minimum 2:2 ideally within a relevant subject area, or an interest in this subject area within the last 3 years
• A clean UK driving licence and access to a car is required
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as using your own initiative and time management skills to deliver tasks on time
• Demonstrate aptitude for problem solving and creative thinking when approaching tasks
• Competent level of ICT skills including the full range of Microsoft applications
• Commitment to completing all parts of the training programme
• Ability to work flexibly

How we support you and your career at Great Places

• A fully accredited qualification to aid in your development
• Full equipment to help you perform best at your role
• Dedicated time each week for studying and learning
• Mentorship and line management from senior professionals
• A warm, inclusive team where your ideas and growth matter
• Access to our Growing Greatness talent programme including workshops, networks, and development activities
• Support from our Emerging Talent and Development Specialist which will include reviews, check-ins and the opportunity to discuss your progress

The Company

Great Places Housing Group exists to improve the lives of the people living in our 25,000 homes across the North West and Yorkshire. We are much more than just a landlord, providing a wide range of services and promoting partnership work to create vibrant, sustainable communities. We can find details of our story, our vision and our values here.

At Great Places, we are committed to using inclusive hiring practices. By embracing diversity and difference, we enrich our teams with varied perspectives, drive, and innovation to create an environment in which everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures and are committed to fostering an environment in which everyone can be their authentic self; building a workforce that truly reflects the diverse communities we serve. We want to create a recruitment process that allows you to perform at your best! Should you need any support or information throughout the process, please reach out to our recruitment team at recruitment@greatplaces.org.uk.