Job Description

The Vacancy
At Sheffield Forgemasters we have an exciting opportunity for an Early Careers Manager to join our team.
This role is based at our 64-acre site, sitting in the heart of Sheffield. Our People & Culture department supports the organisation with workforce engagement, development, and organisational culture alongside Talent Acquisition & Recruitment, Learning & Development, Reward & Recognition and Employee Relations.
Specifically, the early careers function has consistently delivered an award-winning apprenticeship programme, which makes up more than 10% of the workforce.
As an Early Careers Manager, you will designing, delivering, and continuously improving the organisation's early careers strategy, encompassing apprenticeships, internships, graduate schemes, work placements, and school / college outreach programmes.
What you'll be doing

• Leading the design and delivery of early careers annual plans and campaigns.
• Liaising with hiring managers to scope appropriate roles and opportunities for early-career entrants.
• Managing relationships with apprenticeship providers and universities.
• Coordinating recruitment timelines, events, and selection processes.
• Delivering or sourcing training modules and induction content for early-career cohorts.
• Facilitating mentorship and buddying programmes.
• Tracking development, performance, and progression of early-career employees.
• Conducting regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and evaluation surveys.
• Managing and monitoring apprenticeship levy usage and government funding streams.
• Producing monthly and quarterly data reports for leadership teams.
• Promoting the organisation externally via careers fairs, talks, and social media.

About You

• Experience of working in a similar role, with a strong understanding of early careers frameworks, e.g., apprenticeships, internships, graduate schemes.
• Knowledge of funding, levy management, and compliance related to apprenticeships.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence across all levels.
• Programme and project management skills.
• Coaching and mentoring approach.
• Data and evaluation skills for programme tracking and improvement.
• An understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion in talent acquisition.

As well as having the skills, knowledge and experience for this role, we are also looking for someone who embodies our core values: Customer Focus; Working Together; Trust & Respect; Quality & Innovation and Safety & Wellbeing.
The Working Pattern
This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday. We offer flexibility in our start and finish times between 06:15 - 09:30 and 14:30 - 18:00 (amend as required).
Why Sheffield Forgemasters?
Sheffield Forgemasters is an iconic steel production and engineering company, with a history that can be traced back to the 1750s, starting life as a small blacksmith forge. We have since gone through many evolutions and gone by several different names and guises, whilst consistently being at the forefront of innovation and new process development in the steel industry.
Recognising Sheffield Forgemasters as a global leader in the designing, manufacturing and delivering of world-class steel forgings and castings, we were acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2021. The acquisition has secured our role as a critical supplier to the next generation of UK defence programmes. As part of this programme of work, 1.3bn is being invested in modernising our plant and equipment, creating new opportunities for the business and our colleagues.
What We Offer

• Stability, with large-scale & long-term investment and orders already secured into the 2040s.
• A programme of redevelopment that will include state-of-the-art new machinery and facilities on site.
• Up to 8% employer pension contribution.
• Life Assurance Scheme as part of the pension programme, 2 x annual salary.
• All Employee Bonus Scheme, up to 1000 paid annually, dependent on company performance.
• Onsite canteen.
• Free onsite parking and available EV chargers.
• Multi-Faith Room.
• Long service award scheme.
• Free Sheffield Forgemasters branded coat upon joining, with other branded workwear available to purchase online.
• You at Work - Access to online discounts portal.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Discounted Westfield Health Plan Scheme.
• Onsite Occupational Health Team, providing health screening and wellbeing initiatives and support, including but not limited to:

• Availability to confidentially discuss any physical or mental health concerns.
• Referrals and access to free Physiotherapy and Chiropractor sessions, when required.
• Ear irrigation.
• Flu Vaccinations.
• Blood Pressure management clinics.
• Weight management clinics.
• Occupational Health checks in line with health promotion and wellbeing events. e.g. Cholesterol, Blood sugar, Icle tests, etc.
• Health promotion campaigns, utilising outside companies / charities, such as Andy's Man Club.
• Access to Zest Fit - Lifestyle Coach.
• Skills for life sessions offered to all, including CPR, managing bleeds, burns etc.
• Financial Wellbeing Sessions - Pension providers coming on site to talk to colleagues and offering advice.
• Chaplain Service.

• Support for ex-military and reservists in employment as a bronze accredited participant in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Equality and Diversity
Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Sheffield Forgemasters. It's vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our local catchment area and the wider society in the UK, so we're proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities.
Flexible Working
We recognise the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements that align with our policies. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office-based and remote working. Applicants can request further information regarding the policy and how this may work in their role, from our People & Culture Team and / or the line manager for the applicable role.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. People working with government / MOD assets must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.
Nationality limitations
Please be aware that many roles at Sheffield Forgemasters 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 - 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.
For additional information or if you would like to discuss working for Sheffield Forgemasters or a specific role in more detail, please email .
The Company
The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country.