Early Careers Manager
Department: People
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Shoreditch, London
Reporting To: Naomi Essomé
Compensation: £40,000 - £45,000 / year
Description
We’re more than just a nursery group. We’re the UK’s most innovative early-years education provider. At N Family Club, we dreamed of reimagining early years education. Becoming a place that fosters creativity, embraces a curriculum-led approach, and prepares children for the modern world. We’re proudly making our dream a reality – and we want you to be a part of it!
Our Support Office is the engine that keeps N Family Club running smoothly – from operations and finance to people, marketing, and strategy. We’re a tight-knit, fast-paced, and mission-driven team that works together to create exceptional experiences for families and team across all our nurseries. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or early in your career, you’ll be empowered to grow, contribute ideas, and make an impact every day.
What you’ll be doing…
The Early Careers Manager leads the delivery, development and continuous improvement of high-quality Early Careers programmes that build capability and confidence across all areas of the organisation. As a specialist within the Talent Development team, you will shape N’s Early Careers provision to attract and develop early talent through practical, engaging and scalable programmes that enable performance, growth and operational excellence across N Family Club.
- Early Careers Programmes Execute the Early Careers strategy, leading delivery of high-quality Early Careers programmes across N. Manage the full apprenticeship lifecycle, ensuring effective onboarding, progression and completion. Design and deliver learning solutions across a range of formats (in-person, virtual, blended and digital) to support apprentice development. Work flexibly across locations and operational contexts to maintain programme quality and a consistent learner experience. Support the development and expansion of N’s Early Careers provision in line with the Talent Development strategy.
- Funding and Compliance Oversee the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account, ensuring accurate administration and funding management. Manage and optimise levy utilisation in line with N’s Early Careers strategy. Identify and leverage additional funding opportunities to support programme growth. Ensure compliance with funding rules across all apprenticeship activity, implementing legislative changes as required. Escalate safeguarding issues, compliance risks and apprentice concerns in line with organisational processes.
- Quality and Performance Monitor Early Careers performance, using data and reporting to drive continuous improvement of N’s Early Careers provision. Track and measure the impact of Early Careers programmes, supporting clear return on investment and commercial value to stakeholders. Work with providers and managers to address performance gaps and ensure programme requirements are met. Evaluate provider performance to ensure training delivery supports learner progress and positive outcomes. Ensure Early Careers programmes remain inclusive and aligned to agreed quality standards, strengthening consistency across N.
- Stakeholder Management Build and maintain strong working relationships with leaders, partners and providers to deliver a high-quality Early Careers experience, Manage and grow N’s apprentice community, creating an inclusive environment that drives engagement and social learning. Act as the lead contact for Early Careers, providing advice and guidance to internal stakeholders, Source and manage apprenticeship providers to ensure alignment with N’s values and organisational needs. Support marketing and engagement activity for Early Careers, promoting programmes and opportunities to attract early talent and drive adoption of new ways of working and enable stakeholders to embed change in line with the Talent Development strategy.
- Operational Excellence Maintain up-to-date knowledge of apprenticeship funding rules and policy changes to ensure compliance and successful programme delivery, manage time, travel and workload effectively to meet delivery commitments in a fast-paced, growing, multi-site environment. Use systems, tools and agreed processes effectively to ensure a consistent, high-quality learning experience, maintain required training, certifications and compliance standards in line with regulatory and organisational requirements.
You should have…- Experience working in a fast-paced, growing company, ideally multi-site
- Proven experience managing Early Careers and apprenticeship programmes
- In-depth knowledge of apprenticeship funding rules and compliance, with experience
- managing the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS)
- Proven ability to lead and develop others, creating engaged and high-performing teams
- Highly skilled in managing relationships with internal stakeholders and external providers
- Strong facilitation skills with experience in blended learning design
- Confidence using digital tools and learning systems (experience with Attensi is a plus)
- Experience supporting early career learners or young people is desirable
- Early Years sector experience is a bonus, but not required
The N Advantage- Competitive salary – £40,000 - £45,000, based on experience and dedication
- Flexible hybrid working model for work-life balance
- Up to 35 days holiday – including a personal ‘Me’ day and Christmas closure
- £100 annual learning fund, plus access to in-house development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave for parents, carers, and more
- 40% childcare discount, plus 6 emergency days annually
And that’s not all!- 5-year loyalty bonus – around-the-world trip + 2 bonus weeks off
- 10-year loyalty bonus – ‘Out of this world’ experience + 2 extra weeks off
- Referral bonus – earn up to £1,000 per successful hire
- Amazing discounts – save on groceries, shopping, fitness and more
- Travel support – season ticket loans and cycle-to-work scheme
- Socials & wellbeing – annual parties, team events, gym discounts, and online fitness
Why N Family Club? At N Family Club, we’re reimagining early years education – and we want you to be a part of it. We’re a certified Great Place to Work and one of the UK’s most innovative early years groups. With top salaries, unmatched benefits, and real career progression, we put our people first.
Join us today to spark big ideas in young minds and
shape a career you’ll love.What's next?
If you think you've got what it takes, click apply and fill in our super quick (1 min) application form!
If you want to read more about N, our benefits and work culture, visit our
Careers website or our Glassdoor Page.
