Student Placement - HR & Recruitment in South Shields

Company Description

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family‑owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US, and Asia, offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear, and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside.

Position Overview

We are excited to announce that we have opened the application process for our Barbour HR & Recruitment Student Placement Programme within our HR team. Throughout the 12‑month placement, the successful student will play a key part in the Recruitment function, hiring top talent and growing our talent pool. You will carry out routine admin tasks to assist with the smooth running of the Recruitment team and hiring process. In Barbour’s paid placement programme, students get a full immersion into the brand’s culture for a 12‑month period. During this time, our Placement Students become an integral part of the team, tackling complex business challenges, contributing to the company’s growth, and building relationships and skills that they will carry forward throughout their careers.

This opportunity will be a temporary training contract from Summer 2026 – Summer 2027.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• System Administration – ATS system, upload of details to build on talent pool, set login details for hiring managers, and post adverts where necessary.
• Assist the Talent Acquisition Manager and Talent Acquisition Specialist with the hiring process.
• Act as the first point of contact for retail recruitment.
• Assist at all stages of the student recruitment process, liaise with hiring managers and universities on updates, and create a timeline to ensure all roles are placed successfully.
• Create offer letters and student agreements, and process necessary H&S forms for final approval from universities.
• Build upon relationships with universities and future student/graduates, attending careers fairs and networking.
• Create weekly communications to Barbour employees of current vacancies.
• Represent HR and take notes in internal and external interviews.
• Participate in HR & Recruitment related projects to ensure the department meets its objectives.
• Produce materials to upskill managers on recruitment.
• Explore ways to improve the careers page.
• Manage the recruitment inbox.
• Support in content creation for LinkedIn to increase traffic and following across the channel.
• Open and distribute incoming posts which come into the recruitment team.
• Provide general admin support to the department as required.

Skills and Experience

• Interest in pursuing a career working in Recruitment or HR.
• Able to prioritise and organise own workload.
• Thorough and methodical approach.
• Confident communicator.
• Strong IT skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Must understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Microsoft Office – Word/Excel/PowerPoint.

Additional Information

To apply for this placement, you must be currently studying an Undergraduate Sandwich Degree Course and able to undertake 12 months in the industry as part of your course. This placement is based in our South Shields Head Office.

Benefits

• Staff discount
• Staff shop
• 25 days holiday as standard plus bank holidays
• Access to training and development activities to support your studies
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Operate hybrid & flexible working
• 4 pm finish on a Friday
• Wellbeing support
• Reward & Recognition Program

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.