Early Careers Partner

Job Description

Huntingdon, Lancaster House

Permanent
Full-time 37 hours. We offer flexible working opportunities, which can be discussed further during the interview process.

Circa £52,000 per annum dependant on skills and experience

At Anglian Water our values are that together, we will: Build trust, do the right thing, and we are always exploring.

This role will play a pivotal role in ensuring Anglian Water’s sustained success by building and maintaining a dynamic skills and talent stream, capable of providing succession in technical, managerial and leadership expertise. You’ll ensure that new entrants experience a culture and learning environment which models our values, enables positive learning experiences across a diverse community, drives retention, engages, refreshes and equips new colleagues, enhances employee brand and supports AW to be the employer of choice.

We’re looking for someone passionate about shaping the future of talent. You might have experience in early careers recruitment, talent management, or talent development—or perhaps you’ve walked the path yourself as an apprentice or early-career professional. What matters most is that you understand the value technical skills bring to an organisation and have the drive to help others succeed. Whether your expertise comes from apprenticeships, graduate schemes, or similar pathways, your insight and enthusiasm will make a real impact here.

What will you be doing?

• Proactively anticipate shifts in industry needs and being aware of the importance of recruiting and development for transferable talent as well as technical ability in an ever-changing environment and competitive labour market

• Act as the key point of contact for early careers employees in relation to academic, pastoral and safeguarding needs

• Act as the key point of contact for educational bodies in relation to learning onboarding, management, and end point assessment facilitation

• Take ownership of the governance of early careers programmes ensuring agreed data and metrics are kept up to date and are reportable

• Partner with functional stakeholders and HRBP’s to identify early careers opportunities to create future talent pipelines

• Work closely with recruitment, organising and attending early careers events, both internal and external

• Working with the Early Careers and Future Skills Manager, Recruitment & Functional Leads to focus on the retention and learning and development of graduates, apprentices, and interns in collaboration with universities, colleges, schools and relevant stakeholders

• Help design and implement creative solutions that attract, engage, and retain early careers talent

• Actively participate in initiatives that connect the company with local communities, raising awareness about water conservation and environmental responsibility

What does it take to be successful?

• Experience in early careers recruitment, talent management, or talent development—or perhaps you’ve walked the path yourself as an apprentice or early-career professional

• Familiarity with educational and apprenticeship programmes, funding mechanisms and education-industry partnerships

• Proven influencer and networker who can increase impact and visibility as an employer of choice

• Dynamic approach to work, displaying high degree of curiosity and proactivity

• Collaborating with the team and senior leaders

• Committed to build strong, effective relationships with people at all levels

• Ability and passion to create a culture that makes people proud to work for the business

As a valued employee you’ll be entitled to:

• A competitive pension scheme where we double-match your contributions up to 6%

• Private healthcare for your peace of mind

• An annual bonus scheme

• The opportunity to volunteer in your local community

• 26 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays), increasing with service, with the option to swap Christmas and Easter for religious holidays

• Life cover (8x your salary) and personal accident cover (up to 5x your salary)

• Flexible benefits to support your well-being and lifestyle

• Paid time off for illness, both physical and mental

• Free parking at all office locations, sites, and leisure parks

• Excellent family-friendly policies, including 26 weeks of full pay for maternity/adoption leave and 4 weeks of paternity/partner pay, with the opportunity for shared parental leave

Closing date: 25th January 2026

Interviews : Week commencing 2nd February 2026