Early Careers & Skills Development Lead (Graduate Personal Effectiveness)

Job Title: Early Careers & Skills Development Lead (Graduate Personal Effectiveness)

Location: Preston; with travel to North West sites. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £49,000 depending on experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced and confident Line Manager to play a key role in the delivery, quality assurance, and continuous improvement of our Graduate Programme. This role combines strong people management with programme oversight, ensuring a high-quality learning experience through structured observations, feedback, and performance management.

The successful candidate will bring proven leadership experience, the ability to hold challenging conversations constructively, and a passion for developing early-career talent.

Core duties:

• Lead, manage and develop a team of Personal Effectiveness Skills Coaches, setting clear objectives, performance expectations and accountability measures

• Conduct quality assurance activities, including learning observations, reviews and structured feedback, to ensure high standards of programme delivery and participant outcomes

• Manage performance issues proactively, including holding challenging conversations, resolving conflicts and supporting improvement through clear action plans

• Monitor programme performance, identify trends, risks and development opportunities, and escalate concerns where appropriate

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Graduate Programme by using data, feedback and stakeholder insights to enhance quality, engagement and outcomes

• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing regular updates on programme performance and learner progress

• Effectively balance line management, programme oversight, project work and delivery cover requirements, ensuring priorities are managed and objectives achieved

Essential Skills:

• Proven experience in a line management or leadership role.

• Strong ability to manage performance, including conducting challenging conversations and addressing conflict

• Experience of assessing quality through observations, reviews, or similar evaluation methods

• Ability to analyse information and make informed, fair decisions

The Early Careers Team:

Our team is dedicated to developing and supporting early-career talent, delivering high-quality learning experiences that help graduates build the skills, confidence and behaviours needed to succeed. We are a collaborative, learner-focused team committed to maintaining high standards, driving continuous improvement and creating positive outcomes for both participants and the wider organisation. Working closely with coaches, stakeholders and programme partners, the team plays a pivotal role in ensuring an engaging, impactful and consistently excellent graduate experience.

We pride ourselves on employing the best professionals around. Join us and you’ll be part of something important; something you can be proud of, whatever you do, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference to people’s lives.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 31st July 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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