At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Early Careers strategy for Corporate & Investment Banking and Wealth & Retail Banking globally.
- Company: Join Standard Chartered, a bank making a positive impact for over 170 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values your unique talents.
- Why this job: Shape the future of banking by developing diverse early careers talent.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a dynamic and forward‑thinking professional to lead the Early Careers agenda for our Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) & Wealth & Retail Banking (WRB) globally. This role is responsible for setting the strategic direction and ensuring end‑to‑end execution of early careers hiring for CIB and WRB and graduate program management—aligned to workforce planning, business needs, and future skills development. The role combines strategic ownership, programmatic delivery, and deep stakeholder engagement across business leaders, HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and People Capability teams globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and drive the Early Careers strategy for CIB and WRB globally, ensuring alignment with the bank’s skills agenda, broader workforce strategy and enterprise talent goals.
- The role holder is accountable for ensuring a differentiated offering that maximises candidate and employee experience for CIB and WRB EC talent including but not limited to the Graduate Programme, the Internship Programme, Apprenticeship, Spring Programme etc.
- Shape the “what, how, and where” of EC talent hiring—from skills‑based demand planning, campus strategy, building EC pipeline, compensation review, talent attraction approach, selection & assessment, development, high‑potential pipeline visibility and deployment frameworks.
- Responsible for developing and managing a sustainable, high quality and diverse early careers talent pipeline delivering the skills and competencies required by the business to best serve the client.
- Stay ahead of market trends and elevate the graduate proposition through innovation and best practices.
- Embed and optimise the new RPO model to enhance productivity and effectiveness, ensuring alignment with global and regional goals, with a focus on creating streamlined ways of working that maximise ROI.
- Collaborate with global early careers team and global HR teams to align on consistent frameworks, value propositions, and governance models.
- Responsible for continual engagement with relevant senior stakeholders and building a deep, strategic collaboration with business leaders, Talent and People Capability functions, Lateral Recruitment, Diversity and Inclusion teams, and country HR teams to align early careers strategies.
- Build a deep understanding of business priorities and align the early careers programme to meet long‑term business needs, focusing on creating a structured, programme‑matic approach that supports workforce evolution and organisational strategy.
- Actively engage with business leaders to understand early careers pipeline requirements and integrate feeder roles into the talent strategy, ensuring seamless deployment of interns and graduates into permanent roles.
- Represent CIB and WRB in global early careers forums, sharing insights and shaping strategy.
About Standard Chartered
We’re an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we’ve worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you’re looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we can’t wait to see the talents you can bring us. Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours.
When you work with us, you’ll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion. Together We Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do. Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well. Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term.
What We Offer
In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing. Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations. Time‑off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum. Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns. Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market‑leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first‑aiders and all sorts of self‑help toolkits. A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning. Being part of an inclusive and values‑driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies – everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.
Head Early Careers - CIB, WRB & Exc. employer: Standard Chartered
At Standard Chartered, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions diversity and inclusion while fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, which includes generous leave policies, flexible working arrangements, and proactive mental health support. Join us in a dynamic environment where your unique talents are celebrated, and you can make a meaningful impact in the Corporate & Investment Banking and Wealth & Retail Banking sectors globally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Early Careers - CIB, WRB & Exc.
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Standard Chartered!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Standard Chartered.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Early Careers - CIB, WRB & Exc.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Standard Chartered. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Standard Chartered and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Standard Chartered. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Standard Chartered's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Chartered
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Standard Chartered.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Standard Chartered will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Standard Chartered and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
