At a Glance
- Tasks: Support early-careers initiatives and coordinate onboarding for new talent in the COO function.
- Company: Join Quilter plc, a leading wealth management business focused on brighter financial futures.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, a pension scheme, and flexible benefits tailored to your needs.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusivity while growing your career with excellent progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of early-careers talent in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience in recruitment or programme coordination are essential.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
About the Business
Quilter plc is a leading wealth management business, helping to enable brighter financial futures for every generation. Quilter oversees £141.2 billion in customer investments (as of December 2025). The business offers financial advice, investment platforms, multi‐asset investment solutions and discretionary fund management across two segments: Affluent and High Net Worth.
About the Role
- Level: 3
- Department: COO, Operations
- Location: Southampton, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Regulated/Non‐Regulated: Non‐Regulated
The role provides functionally embedded support for early‐careers activity within the COO function. You will partner closely with the central Early Careers team and deliver centrally designed early‐careers programmes effectively in the COO function, aligning to workforce needs.
Partnership with the Early Careers Team
- Act as the day‐to‐day functional liaison between the COO function and the central Early Careers team.
- Support the delivery of centrally led early‐careers initiatives within the COO function.
- Operate consistently within centrally defined frameworks, policies and programme design.
- Provide insight and feedback from the COO function to inform continuous improvement of early‐careers approaches.
- Collaborate on programme planning, attraction activity and improvement initiatives led centrally.
Recruitment & Selection
- Support recruitment activity for COO‐aligned early‐careers roles in partnership with the Early Careers team.
- Support centrally led attraction initiatives such as campaigns, events and outreach activity.
- Co‐deliver selection processes, including interviews and assessment activities, in line with central standards.
- Ensure all activity aligns with the organisation's early‐careers recruitment principles and candidate experience approach.
Onboarding & Programme Delivery
- Coordinate local onboarding activity for early‐careers hires within the COO function, aligned to centrally designed onboarding frameworks.
- Deliver agreed local programme elements while supporting centrally led programme activity.
- Coordinate the delivery of rotations and placements within the COO function to ensure they are meaningful and development‐focused.
Development, Support & Day‐to‐Day and Line Management
- Act as the day‐to‐day functional line‐management lead for early‐careers participants in the COO function, with accountability for engagement, performance, wellbeing and effective contribution.
- Hold regular check‐ins to monitor performance, workload, development and academic or apprenticeship commitments, addressing issues early and escalating where needed.
- Serve as the primary point of accountability for day‐to‐day issues, conduct, expectations and practical queries, escalating formal concerns to the central Early Careers team and contributing to action plans where required.
- Provide clear guidance, challenge and escalation to line managers hosting early‐careers talent, ensuring meaningful work, feedback and exposure aligned to programme objectives and COO capability needs.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the functional point of contact for COO managers hosting early‐careers talent.
- Build strong relationships across the COO function to enable engagement with early‐careers activity.
- Work closely with the Early Careers team to ensure a consistent experience for participants across the organisation.
Career Progression & Outcomes
- Support centrally led end‐of‐programme planning and progression discussion with line managers.
- Contribute COO‐specific outcomes data and insight to central reporting and programme success measures.
Consumer Duty
This role will directly impact good customer outcomes by focusing on the end customer, challenging industry practices and striving for a more efficient and digital process, both internally and externally, to positively impact the overall customer experience.
About You
To be successful you will bring strong organisational and stakeholder coordination skills, alongside practical experience supporting early‐careers or early‐talent activity within a business environment. You will have experience working with recruitment, onboarding or programme coordination activity, be comfortable partnering with central HR or early‐careers teams, and understand how early‐careers roles contribute to workforce planning and future capability needs.
Experience working with line managers and stakeholders to coordinate placements, rotations or development opportunities. Confident balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders, organised and detail‐oriented in your approach, and proactive in identifying and resolving delivery issues. Approachable and supportive, comfortable providing day‐to‐day guidance and signposting to early‐careers participants, with an understanding of the importance of fair, consistent and inclusive processes. Collaborative and pragmatic, enabling programmes, managers and early‐careers talent to succeed.
Inclusion & Diversity
We value diversity and strive to promote inclusivity in all aspects of our culture. We believe in equal opportunities for all, ensuring that no applicant encounters less favourable treatment based on anything but their skills, qualifications, experience and potential. We celebrate the unique contributions of a diverse workforce and create a respectful, nurturing environment where every colleague can thrive.
Values
- Do the right thing: act with integrity and are proudly committed to going above and beyond in service of our clients and our communities.
- Always curious: continuously seek new ideas and knowledge, staying one step ahead of our clients' needs.
- Embrace challenge: aim high to transform our potential into meaningful outcomes.
- Stronger together: combine diverse talents, listen openly, support each other and constructively challenge and embrace new ideas.
- Empowerment: demonstrate ownership and trust, making impactful decisions confidently.
Core Benefits
- Holiday: 182 hours (26 days)
- Quilter Incentive Scheme: all employees are eligible to participate.
- Pension Scheme: a non‐contributory company pension scheme that can be boosted through personal contributions.
- Benefits Allowance: a cash benefit allowance payable in lieu of some core benefits.
- Flexible benefits: employees can choose from a range of flexible benefits via salary deduction.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to treating all job applicants fairly and with respect. Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. We welcome applications regardless of beliefs, culture, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability. If you need reasonable adjustments, alternative formats or have questions around accessibility, please contact the talent acquisition team and we will accommodate to the best of our ability.
Early Careers Partner, COO in Southampton employer: Quilter plc
Quilter plc is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises inclusivity and employee development. Located in Southampton, the role of Early Careers Partner within the COO function provides unique opportunities for meaningful engagement with early-careers talent, supported by a robust framework for professional growth and a commitment to employee wellbeing. With competitive benefits, including a generous holiday allowance and a non-contributory pension scheme, Quilter fosters an environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to brighter financial futures.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Careers Partner, COO in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Quilter plc on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building connections can give us insider info and might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Quilter's values and recent news. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role, but also in how we can contribute to their mission of enabling brighter financial futures.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources. The more comfortable we are talking about our experiences and skills, the better we’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a thank-you email to express our appreciation. It’s a great way to keep us on their radar and show that we’re genuinely interested in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Careers Partner, COO in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Early Careers Partner role. Highlight your experience in supporting early-careers initiatives and how it aligns with Quilter's mission of enabling brighter financial futures.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that show your organisational and stakeholder coordination skills, especially in recruitment and onboarding.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for early careers and how you can contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment at Quilter.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be seen by the right people, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Quilter plc
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research Quilter plc thoroughly. Understand their services, values, and recent news. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As an Early Careers Partner, you'll need strong organisational skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple priorities or coordinated events. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to support early-careers initiatives.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrating your ability to build relationships is key. Think of instances where you've collaborated with different teams or stakeholders. Be prepared to share how you would engage with COO managers and the Early Careers team to ensure a smooth experience for participants.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Diversity
Quilter values diversity and inclusion, so be sure to highlight your understanding of these principles. Share any relevant experiences where you've contributed to creating an inclusive environment or supported diverse talent, as this aligns with the company's core values.
