Talent Specialist

The opportunity

As a Talent Specialist within our Talent Development team, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our Early Careers programmes across the UK, Europe and Asia. This is not simply a co-ordination role. You will help design, deliver and continuously improve programmes that develop the next generation of talent at Markel.

If you are passionate about developing talent, enjoy bringing order to complexity, and want the opportunity to grow your career within Talent Development, this role offers the perfect platform.

Role purpose

Working closely with the Senior Talent Specialist and Head of Talent Development, you will co-ordinate and help deliver Markel International's Early Careers portfolio (graduate, apprenticeship and intern programmes). The role combines hands-on delivery and co-ordination with programme design, candidate experience, data insight and the smart use of AI to make our proposition best-in-class.

Key responsibilities

Early Careers co-ordination & delivery

• Co-ordinate the end-to-end delivery of Early Careers programmes: recruitment cycle, assessment centre logistics, training sessions, inductions, onboarding and cohort co-ordination (on-site and remote).
• Support the Senior Talent Specialist in designing, enhancing and evaluating programmes so they build the capability the business needs.
• Act as an ambassador for the Markel employer brand, curating an engaging, inclusive candidate experience across every touchpoint—from attraction to onboarding.
• Support all apprenticeship activity, including administration relating to the apprenticeship levy, account management and provider liaison.

• Use AI tools in the design, delivery and administration of Early Careers programmes—for example content creation, candidate engagement, assessment support, data analysis or streamlining programme administration—and take a proactive interest in identifying new opportunities to apply AI to improve the candidate and cohort experience.
• Own the data lifecycle for Early Careers: collect, review and maintain accurate programme data, create dashboards, and report insights to the business to support decision-making, demonstrate impact and inform continuous improvement.

General Talent Development support

• Set up courses in Workday Learning, manage attendance and support facilitators.
• Co-ordinate logistics for training and events, both on-site and remote, and liaise with providers and procurement on scheduling and contracts.
• Run reports, summarise data and create presentations for stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate documentation, track invoices, manage the My Learning inbox and support professional qualifications.
• Assist with broader Talent Development and HR projects as required.

Skills, knowledge & experience

• 1–2 years prior experience of talent development and/or early careers programmes within a fast-moving, international business.
• Strong co-ordination skills with excellent organisation, attention to detail, prioritisation and time-management, with the ability to work to deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong AI skills: confident and capable in using AI tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot/Claude and generative AI) to create content, analyse data, streamline administration and improve how programmes are designed, delivered and administered, with proactive, hands-on experience applying AI to enhance the Early Careers proposition.
• Solid data skills across the full data lifecycle: collecting and reviewing programme data, building dashboards and reporting insights to the business. Able to turn data into clear, compelling narratives that measure programme success, track engagement, retention and progression, and inform continuous improvement and workforce planning decisions.
• Strong communication skills, able to convey talent and early careers information to the business in a clear, commercial and pragmatic way.
• Highly autonomous, but equally comfortable working within a collaborative, supportive team.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

What’s in it for you?

• A great starting salary plus annual bonus and a strong benefits package.
• 25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy/sell extra leave.
• Fantastic company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, life assurance, travel insurance cover, income protection, season ticket loan and other great benefits.
• Countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop your career, with support to do just that.

Are you ready to play your part?

Choose 'Apply Now' to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role, we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

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