Overview

At DF Capital, we champion banking for ambition. As an award-winning provider of commercial finance and savings, we empower depositors and small businesses with financial solutions tailored to fuel their growth. Headquartered in Manchester, our team of over 130 serves thousands of customers across the UK, transforming savings into new opportunities for businesses to thrive.

We're passionate about helping our customers succeed. As we expand our retail and commercial lending products, we remain committed to meeting their evolving needs and supporting their ambitions every step of the way.

OUR STORY

Founded in 2016, DF Capital was born with a focus on distribution finance—providing dealers, distributors, and manufacturers with the funding they need to stock, display, and sell products, without straining cash flow.

Since then, we've delivered over £3.5bn of funding across diverse sectors. From motorhomes and machinery to motorbikes and lodges, we've financed all shapes and sizes of commercial vehicles and automobiles (no planes or trains—yet). We listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2019.

BECOMING A BANK

In 2020, we became a fully authorised bank, extending our offering with savings products for retail depositors. We're proud of our strong customer service, consistently achieving high satisfaction scores—like our current average rating of 4.8/5 from 1,300+ reviews, which also earned us a Platinum Trusted Service Award. The deposits we receive fuel UK businesses through our commercial lending, creating a virtuous cycle of growth.

WHERE WE'RE HEADED

Our goal is simple: to be the best bank—for our customers and each other. We put customer needs first, continuously looking to improve our proposition based on their feedback. We aim to help more customers in more ways while continuing to deliver exceptional service.

How do we achieve this? By hiring people who care deeply about doing the right thing, we've been recognised as ‘World Class to Work For' by Best Companies, and we're proud of our inclusive, sustainable, and progressive workplace.

OUR CULTURE

DF Capital is a very special place to work. We have an amazing team who commit themselves each and every day to bring our ambitious growth plans to life. We've achieved much on our journey so far, but I believe we have our best days ahead of us.

We've established a unique culture that is built on a virtuous circle where engaged and empowered employees, who are powered by a shared purpose, deliver great outcomes for our customers, our communities, the environment, and ultimately our shareholders. This is why we are rated a world-class place to work and are amongst the best companies to work for in the UK.

Requirements

THE ROLE

We are seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Early Careers Development Partner to drive our grassroots recruitment and development strategy. This role will focus on building and fostering educational partnerships, creating impactful placement programs, and developing pathways for high-performing students into future roles within the company. You will work closely with local colleges, universities, and academic institutions, as well as internal teams, to help shape and implement a 5-year talent growth plan that aligns with the future needs of our business.

This role offers a unique opportunity to help build the next generation of talent and play a pivotal role in shaping our company's future. We value flexibility and are open to considering part-time or flexible working arrangements.

Responsibilities

DF Capital is passionate about providing employees with the right training and support to help them excel in their roles and future careers. We are confident that an applicant with the right attitude and drive will succeed in this role.

Other duties may be assigned outside of the following duties and responsibilities:

Forge and strengthen educational partnerships:
Build on existing relationships with local colleges and universities and develop new, strategic partnerships
Target educational institutions aligned with our talent needs and create mutually beneficial initiatives
Align recruitment efforts with key academic programs such as T Level qualifications and apprenticeship offerings
Co-create and implement placement programs:
Lead the design and implementation of standout placement programs aimed at providing skills training, project exposure, and hands-on learning experiences for students
Partner with relevant departments to ensure placement programs align with business objectives, providing real value for both the students and the business
Develop return offer framework:
Establish and implement a clear "return offer" strategy for high-performing students who have participated in internships or placements
Design pathways from internships to full-time roles, ensuring top talent is retained and integrated into our business pipeline
Talent development strategy:
Support the development and execution of talent identification strategies within educational settings
Contribute to the development of our long-term talent pipeline by ensuring initiatives and programs are aligned with our evolving workforce needs
Coaching managers to support students:
Provide guidance and coaching to managers, helping them support their students from both a pastoral and performance perspective, ensuring a smooth transition into the workplace
Offer practical advice on how to manage and mentor new employees who may be unfamiliar with workplace dynamics, helping to develop both their technical and soft skills
Foster an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel encouraged and empowered to succeed, both personally and professionally
Metrics and reporting:
Regularly measure and report on the success of partnerships, placement programs, and talent development initiatives
Continuously improve processes based on feedback, performance data, and business requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

The Early Careers Development Partner plays a critical role in building and nurturing our future talent pipeline.

Experience

Must possess the required knowledge and/or qualifications to effectively perform the essential functions of the job.

Proven experience in early careers recruitment, talent development, or education partnerships
Passion for working with students and young talent, with a deep understanding of their needs and aspirations
Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and influence external educational institutions
Knowledge of apprenticeship programs, T Levels, and other educational frameworks
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Excellent communication and presentation skills
A collaborative mindset, with a focus on working cross-functionally to achieve shared goals

Preferred experience:

Previous experience working in or with the education sector
Knowledge of best practices in early careers development
Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally

Benefits

Other important information

Private medical insurance for you and your partner
10% Employer pension contribution
30-day annual leave entitlement plus Bank/Public Holidays
Free Gym Membership
Discretionary annual bonus
Discretionary share awards
Life Assurance
Income Protection
Save As You Earn company share acquisition scheme
Tax-efficient salary sacrifice scheme to obtain bicycles and electric vehicles
4 days of paid Volunteering leave to support our local communities
Vibrant office location in the lively city centre of Manchester

If you're passionate about nurturing talent and want to help build strong foundations for future careers, we would love to hear from you!

DF Capital

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Early Careers Development Partner