Talent Development Manager

About the Company

Talent & Development Manager

Help shape the future talent pipeline at Go-Ahead Group

Go-Ahead Group is a leading international public transport operator providing bus and rail services across the UK and internationally. We play an important role in connecting communities and helping people travel safely and sustainably every day.

About the Role

London or Newcastle with regular travel across operating companies

Reporting to: Head of Learning & Development

The Role

Go-Ahead Group is seeking a Talent & Development Manager to coordinate and deliver early careers, graduate, emerging talent and development programmes that build capability for the future. Working across Learning & Development, Group People & Culture, Transformation and our operating companies, you will help establish and embed the Graduate Programme from 2027 and turn talent and succession outputs into practical, inclusive development opportunities.

Responsibilities

Your Key Responsibilities

• Early careers and Graduate Programme 2027

• Support the launch and embedding of Go-Ahead’s Graduate Programme from 2027.

• Coordinate attraction, recruitment support, onboarding, induction, programme delivery, development planning and participant experience.

• Develop structured graduate pathways across operational, engineering, commercial and corporate functions.

• Build relationships with universities, colleges, schools, education providers and social mobility partners.

• Development pathways and future talent

• Design and coordinate development programmes for future operational, engineering and commercial leaders.

• Coordinate mentoring, sponsorship, shadowing and cross-operating company experiences.

• Support clear career pathways and inclusive development opportunities aligned to business priorities.

• Translate talent review and succession planning outputs into structured development interventions.

• Partnership, data and improvement

• Work with Learning & Development, Group People & Culture, Transformation, the COO office and operating company stakeholders.

• Track participation, diversity, retention, engagement, progression and completion outcomes.

• Produce clear programme reports and insight, recommending improvements based on feedback, data and business impact.

• Ensure activity remains aligned to the Go-Ahead Way, transformation priorities and future workforce requirements.

Qualifications

• A CIPD qualification, or coaching, facilitation or project management training, would be desirable.

Required Skills

• What we need from you:
• Skills & Experience
• Experience in talent development, learning and development, early careers, graduate programmes, organisational development or HR programme coordination.
• Experience coordinating projects, programmes, events or development interventions across multiple stakeholders and deadlines.
• A good understanding of talent development, career pathways, early careers and leadership development.
• Strong planning, organisation, action tracking and reporting skills.
• Confidence using programme data, feedback and metrics to produce clear insight and recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including supporting workshops, events, programme briefings and participant communications.
• Experience in transport, infrastructure, engineering, operations or another operationally focused organisation would be an advantage.

Preferred Skills

• Personal Attributes
• Collaborative and able to build effective relationships across matrix and operational environments.
• Highly organised, detail-focused and confident coordinating multiple workstreams.
• Inclusive and participant-focused, with the ability to turn priorities into practical action.
• Comfortable working across teams and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• If you don’t meet every requirement but feel this role could be right for you, we still encourage you to apply.

Pay range and compensation package

• What’s in it for you
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing, financial and emotional support.
• Flexible working to help balance your needs.
• 25 days’ holiday, pension, life assurance, travel pass, the option to buy or sell up to five days’ holiday and access to our discount platform.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce where all our people feel valued, supported and able to succeed.

All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on objective criteria and in accordance with relevant governing laws.

We will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. If you require adjustments to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know at [email protected].

About the Role

Ready to Take the First Step?

Apply today and help shape the future talent pipeline at Go-Ahead Group. Please send your cv to [email protected]