Career Pathways & Sponsored Programmes Advisor

Overview

Empower the next generation. Shape the future of talent.

Are you passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young people? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where innovation, inclusion, and impact are at the heart of everything you do? We’re looking for a Career Pathways & Sponsored Programmes Advisor to join our Early Careers team and help design and deliver high-impact programmes that support young people as they transition into the workforce. You’ll work closely with our Programme Lead and internal teams to ensure our work experience and sponsored placement initiatives are inclusive, future-ready, and aligned with our early careers’ strategy.

As our Career Pathways & Sponsored Programmes Advisor, you’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of early talent. You’ll design and deliver inclusive, engaging, and future-ready programmes that support young people as they transition into meaningful careers. Working closely with the Programme Lead and internal stakeholders, you’ll proactively develop work experience and sponsored placement initiatives that align with our early careers strategy and reflect our commitment to high-quality candidate experiences.

Your role

Programme Development & Delivery-

• Spearhead the design, implementation, and management of work experience and sponsored placement programmes.
• Collaborate with the Programme Lead and internal stakeholders to ensure programmes meet business needs and talent pipeline objectives.
• Monitor and evaluate programme effectiveness using data, feedback, and insights to drive continuous improvement.

Education Pathways Expertise-

• Leverage your understanding of UK education pathways and qualification frameworks to inform programme design.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, colleges, universities, and training providers to enhance outreach and engagement.
• Stay up to date with education policy and trends to ensure our programmes remain relevant, competitive, and impactful.

Candidate Experience & Inclusion-

• Champion inclusive practices across all early careers’ programmes, ensuring accessibility and equity.
• Deliver a high-quality candidate experience from initial engagement through to programme completion.
• Support the development of resources and communications that reflect our values and employer brand.

Reporting & Compliance-

• Maintain accurate records and reporting for programme performance, diversity metrics, and compliance requirements.
• Support internal reporting and presentations to senior stakeholders, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making.

About you

• Proven experience in early careers, education outreach, or talent development.
• Strong knowledge of UK education pathways and qualification frameworks.
• Experience in programme design, delivery, and evaluation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for creating inclusive opportunities for young people.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with a proactive mindset.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment.
• Be part of a mission-driven team that values diversity, innovation, and impact.
• Lead initiatives that directly contribute to our early careers’ strategy.
• Collaborate with passionate colleagues across HR, business units, and education sectors. Enjoy a supportive, flexible working environment where your ideas and contributions are valued.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.  If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance. 

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.