Post: Talent Manager (Apprenticeships)
Salary: £46,941 per annum
Grade: FRS E
Salary range: £46,941 – £56,071 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: 4 PM on Tuesday 09 June 2026
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s fire and rescue service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city. Employing over 5000 people across our operational team (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer 999 calls), fire safety and our non-operational team (our team who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services, which includes Fleet, IT, HR, Finance, Procurement, Communications team and many more).
About the team
The Talent team sits within Organisational Development in the People Services (HR) department. We are a supportive and collaborative team, leading the design and delivery of key people processes. Our work includes high-priority strategic projects aligned with Brigade priorities, giving the team wide-reaching impact and visibility across the organisation.
We are responsible for core processes such as performance management (appraisals); high-potential talent identification; succession planning; coaching and mentoring; and apprenticeships: this includes promoting best practice and identifying opportunities to expand apprenticeships across the Brigade.
We are also broadening the range of talent development opportunities available to staff, both to be centrally coordinated and locally delivered. This includes a stronger focus on non-traditional development, particularly experiential learning (learning through on-the-job experience) and social learning (learning through interaction with others), to better support career development.
Please note that Recruitment is managed by a separate team within People Services. While we work closely with them, responsibility for Brigade recruitment and promotion activities sits outside the Talent team.
About the role
The Talent Manager (Apprenticeships) is responsible for ensuring the Brigade’s apprenticeship programmes are managed in line with best practice, with a focus on continuous improvement through collaboration with other departments and external stakeholders. The role also leads the development of the Brigade’s apprenticeship strategy, identifying where new programmes will deliver the greatest organisational benefit.
As the Talent team’s work evolves in line with Brigade priorities, this role is becoming increasingly involved in a broader range of talent activity, for example succession planning and talent identification and development. It will suit someone who brings strong apprenticeship expertise, alongside a wider interest in, and experience of, talent development.
You will work closely with the Senior Talent Manager and colleagues to design, deliver and review talent initiatives that are engaging, inclusive, and aligned with the Brigade’s values and strategic priorities. You will take ownership of your areas of work, leading delivery and proactively managing risks and issues.
You will provide expert advice and work collaboratively across the organisation to ensure talent initiatives meet business needs, align with wider people strategies, and are applied consistently. You will also support and coach colleagues within the team, contribute to the wider department, and deputise when required.
You’ll also stay informed about internal and external developments, applying insight and best practice to continuously improve the Brigade’s approach.
Assessment Overview
Stage 1
To apply, please complete the online application, upload a copy of your up-to-date CV and provide evidence to address the following selection criteria:
1. Experience of apprenticeship programmes from an employer perspective; including management and funding.
2. Experience coordinating employee talent management and / or development programmes, e.g., apprenticeships.
3. High level interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships, with credibility at senior levels internally and externally; including to influence and persuade in situations where the role holder does not have seniority / authority over others.
4. Excellent planning, project management and organisational skills to coordinate the programme activities and numerous work streams, ensuring workloads are managed effectively and deadlines are met.
Please note that we will score the evidence you provide based on the competencies listed in the selection criteria above. Please provide specific examples from your own experience, including your personal role, actions and outcomes. Generic or theoretical answers are unlikely to be rated highly. We may explore your examples further at the next stage.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend stage 2.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.
Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.
Stage 2
Assessment for this role is due to take place from mid-June 2026. Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.
Further details of the stage 2 assessment and dates will be confirmed when candidates are invited.
Additional Information
Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description, salary range or the full advert, please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs-london-fire-gov-uk.jobsmarket.site/pages/en-gb/jobs to access the full advert.
Please note: Our application system has recently changed.
After you submit your application, you’ll receive an email asking you to confirm your email address. This is a quick security step and is required for your application to be successfully submitted.
Once you’ve confirmed your email address, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your application. This email will also include your applicant number for future reference.
If you’ve submitted your application but haven’t received the email acknowledging receipt of your application, please check that you’ve confirmed your email address as soon as possible and before the closing date. Look out for an email from our recruitment system with a confirmation link. If you can’t see it, please check your junk or spam folder and add the sender to your safe senders list.
We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Anyone who has contact with children, young people or adults at risk will be subject to an enhanced DBS check as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Benefits of working for the London Fire Brigade
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year
• Family (including maternity) leave and emergency support leave
• Hybrid working is available, subject to business need.
• Free access to the Brigade gym
• Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness advisers
• Free counselling
• Season ticket loan
• Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff discount scheme including access to Blue Light Card retail and hospitality discounts
• Opportunity to access affordable accommodation
Criminal records check
In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a Standard criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory.