Early Careers Lead

Are you passionate about shaping the future of early talent and creating opportunities that genuinely change lives? The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) is looking for an inspiring Early Careers Lead to design and deliver a bold, forward‑thinking early careers strategy that supports the region’s growth and builds a diverse pipeline of future skills. You’ll join us at a pivotal moment of investment and transformation. Working within our People & Culture team, you’ll ensure early careers activity aligns with workforce planning priorities and long‑term organisational capability needs.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the development and delivery of a coherent early careers strategy, creating clear pathways across apprenticeships, graduate schemes, internships and work experience.
• Work closely with schools, colleges, universities and training providers, ensuring the organisation plays a visible and influential role in the regional skills landscape.
• Oversee a portfolio of programmes, design structured development pathways, ensure inclusive attraction and support mechanisms, and use data and insight to evaluate impact and drive continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and hiring managers to understand future capability needs and build sustainable talent pipelines.

What you’ll bring:

• Confident, credible professional with strong knowledge of early careers pathways and long‑term workforce development.
• Able to build trusted relationships, communicate with impact, manage multiple programmes effectively, and design inclusive, structured development experiences.
• Experience working with education partners or within the regional skills landscape is highly valued.

Salary and Working Hours:

• Salary: £47,181 – £51,356 (pro‑rata for part‑time). Full‑time equivalent salary provided. Part‑time applications are accepted.

Benefits:

• 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of continuous service, with the option to increase annual leave through a purchase scheme.
• 2 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible, family‑friendly and hybrid working options (typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week).
• Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England.

EEO Statement:

Good Employment Charter. As a founding Member of the West of England Good Employment Charter and accredited Living Wage Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse environment where all our employees can thrive. We make sure all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and we particularly welcome applications from under‑represented groups without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or citizenship status.