Manager, Early Career Programs

Hancock Whitney•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The Manager, Early Career Programs designs, implements, and manages early talent programs that attract, develop, and retain emerging professionals. The role oversees internships, post-graduate rotational programs, and entry-level talent pipelines, aligning them with workforce planning needs and long-term talent development goals. The manager partners with business leaders, HR, universities, and community partners to build a sustainable, diverse, high-performing early talent pipeline. The position manages programs from recruitment through onboarding, development, performance evaluation, and offboarding; creates developmental curriculum and experiences; and establishes metrics and accountability frameworks to improve program effectiveness. It also supports campus recruitment and external partnerships, prepares managers to host and coach early-career talent, and incorporates inclusion and belonging into program design and outreach. Travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Six years of experience in human resources, talent development, or diversity and inclusion.
Experience designing, implementing, and managing inclusion, leadership, or talent development initiatives that drive measurable impact.
Experience leading programs that drive associate growth, retention, and engagement.
Demonstrated ability to lead enterprise-wide initiatives and build strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen diverse talent pipelines.
Experience establishing KPIs, analyzing data, and reporting results to executives.
Strong communication, facilitation, and influencing skills to engage leaders and teams enterprise-wide.
Ability to travel if required to perform essential job functions.
Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines.
Ability to operate related equipment and read and interpret documents as required to perform essential job functions.
Ability to lift, move, or carry approximately 10 pounds if required to perform essential job functions, subject to accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience supporting or partnering on campus recruitment strategies and university relations.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute enterprise-wide internship and early-career rotational programs aligned with organizational goals.
Manage program cycles, including recruitment, onboarding, development, performance evaluation, and offboarding.
Create and deliver program curriculum, including workshops, cohort experiences, leadership exposure, and developmental coaching.
Establish success metrics and accountability frameworks for continuous process improvement.
Monitor and report program effectiveness using metrics, participant feedback, and business outcomes, and implement enhancements as needed.
Collaborate with Talent Acquisition on early talent pipelines and campus recruitment strategies.
Develop and maintain partnerships with universities, technical schools, community organizations, and professional development programs.
Represent the organization at campus events, career fairs, and external early-career networks.
Train and support managers who host early-career talent, clarifying expectations and coaching best practices.
Integrate inclusion and belonging principles into early-career programming and outreach.