Job Introduction Job Title: Early Careers Lead Introduction to the role and applicant profile

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 shape how young people across the West of England access apprenticeships, graduate pathways, internships and meaningful work experience — all while helping to build a greener, more digital and more inclusive regional economy.

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. We’re looking for someone strategic, collaborative and passionate about unlocking potential.

What You’ll Be Doing

Are you someone who can build strong partnerships, influence stakeholders and stay focused on improving outcomes for young people?

In this role, you will lead the development and delivery of a coherent early careers strategy, creating clear pathways across apprenticeships, graduate schemes, internships and work experience. You’ll work closely with schools, colleges, universities and training providers, ensuring the organisation plays a visible and influential role in the regional skills landscape.

You’ll 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. You’ll also collaborate with senior leaders and hiring managers to understand future capability needs and build sustainable talent pipelines.

What You’ll Bring

You’ll be a confident, credible professional with strong knowledge of early careers pathways and how they contribute to long‑term workforce development.

We’re particularly interested in people who can 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.

Why choose us?

You’ll be joining a collaborative, ambitious team committed to creating opportunities for people and businesses to thrive. This is an opportunity to make a real difference — shaping the future of the West of England while supporting the next generation to succeed.

We will accept part‑time applications.

Find out more

If this sounds like your next opportunity, please apply so you can tell us why you'd be a great fit. There’s more information for you in the job description.  

There’s more role-related formation is in the job description, but if you have any questions for the recruitment team you can contact us on Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk .

If you’d like to have an informal conversation about this opportunity with the manager who’s hiring, you can contact Lynsey.Sheppard@WestOfEngland-CA.gov.uk

The closing date for this role is midnight on 10th June 2026.

The interviews are planned to be held on Monday 22nd June and Tuesday 23rd June 2026 at our offices at 70 Redcliff St, Bristol BS1 6AL, but please note the date may change. 

If this isn’t the right opportunity for you right now, we’d encourage you to register for our community where you can search and apply for jobs, and also keep up to date with any applications you make.

About The Company

Our offer

We are based in a new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Alongside the opportunity to make a real difference to the people who visit, live and work in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
2 days of paid leave each year to volunteer
Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We follow a hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success by providing a diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.

The salary for this role is £47,181 - £51,356. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro-rata for part-time. We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

Good Employment Charter

https://www.goodemploymentcharter.co.uk/

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.

Fair and Inclusive Recruitment

As part of our commitment to fair and inclusive recruitment, we provide interview questions to all shortlisted candidates in advance/on request. This approach helps ensure everyone can demonstrate their skills, knowledge and experience fully, and supports our duties under the Equality Act 2010. You will also be asked follow-up questions during the interview to explore your responses in more detail.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at  Resourcing@westofengland-ca.gov.uk . We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Closing dates

Our roles close at midnight on the closing date. Please note this vacancy may close early or be extended depending on the number of applications so please don’t wait to apply. If you have started your application, we’ll give you notice of the new closing date by email.

From a recruitment agency?

We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees. 

Attached documents

Early Careers Lead - JD April 2026.pdf

West of England Mayoral Combined Authority jobs

Early Careers Lead