People (HR) Graduate Programme
Posted 2 weeks ago by targetjobs UK
Negotiable
Undetermined
Undetermined
Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The People (HR) Graduate Programme at JD Group offers graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across various People functions over two years. Participants will complete structured rotations in areas such as talent acquisition, culture and wellbeing, HR services, and reward, supported by mentorship and professional development. This program aims to cultivate future leaders in HR who are passionate about people and culture within a dynamic retail environment. Graduates from any discipline are encouraged to apply, provided they have a genuine interest in the company's mission and values.
Key Responsibilities:
- Complete structured rotations across key People functions.
- Assist in the end-to-end recruitment process and partner with hiring managers.
- Support delivery of engagement and wellbeing initiatives.
- Manage HR processes such as onboarding and contracts.
- Learn about pay structures and benefits alignment with strategic goals.
- Participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion campaigns.
- Engage in learning and development support throughout the program.
Key Skills:
- Passion for people and culture.
- Curiosity and eagerness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across various levels of the organization.
- Graduates from any discipline.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: Greater Manchester
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: undetermined
Seniority Level: Entry Level
Industry: HR
Established in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, the JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors, and Gyms with our colleagues working in stores across several retail fascias in many markets around the world. JD Sports Fashion Plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996 and has been a FTSE100 publicly quoted company since 2019 and continues to grow in the UK and internationally. We want to be the leading global omnichannel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry. To be a part of this successful company and help us to achieve this you will have the desire to ingrain our strategic goals of being a people-led, innovative and customer-focused organisation which provides operational excellence whilst identifying new areas of growth as part of our day-to-day objectives.
Role Objective At JD, our people are at the core of everything we do. As a global leader in multi-channel retail, our continued success is fueled by passionate, skilled, and ambitious teams. The People Team Graduate Programme is your opportunity to gain hands-on experience across the full employee lifecycle, developing your expertise in talent, learning, operations, reward, and more. Over two years, you’ll complete structured rotations across key People functions, supported by a dedicated mentor, real-world projects, and ongoing professional development. Whether you aspire to be an HR generalist or a future specialist in a particular area, this programme will give you the foundations, networks, and confidence to shape a career with purpose and impact at JD.
Programme Structure You’ll undertake four core rotations across the programme giving you comprehensive exposure across the People function. Each placement is designed to build your technical skills, commercial awareness, and strategic mindset.
Rotation Areas People Talent & Development Focus: Talent acquisition & Learning and Development Learn the full end-to-end recruitment process Partner with a variety of hiring managers to assist in recruiting vacancies across the business Help shape and assist the delivery of learning programmes for head office colleagues.
Culture & Purpose Focus: Culture, wellbeing, inclusion, Apprenticeships & emerging talent and engagement Support delivery of key engagement and wellbeing initiatives. Contribute to internal communications, events, and employee voice activities. Get involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion campaigns and employee networks. Focus on our social mobility programmes and apprenticeship offerings
People Services Focus: HR systems, data, and employee lifecycle processes Gain hands-on experience managing HR processes such as onboarding, contracts, and leaver administration. Gain an understanding of policies, investigations, and best-practice approaches to people challenges.
People Reward Focus: Pay, benefits, and recognition Learn how pay structures, benchmarking, and benefits align with JD’s strategic goals. Help with data analysis and reporting on reward outcomes. Explore how recognition initiatives drive culture and motivation.
Learning & Development Support Throughout The Programme You’ll Receive A dedicated graduate programme mentor Opportunities to attend external events Access to shadowing, coaching, and networking opportunities across the wider business
Who We’re Looking For We Welcome Applications From Graduates In Any Discipline Who Have a genuine passion for people, culture, and the JD Group’s mission Are curious, proactive, and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment Can build strong relationships and communicate effectively at all levels Are available to join the business full-time from September 2025
Why Choose JD? From our roots in Bury to becoming a global force in retail, JD is built on bold ambition and relentless energy. By joining our People Team, you’ll be part of a movement to shape not just careers, but the future of our business. This graduate programme is your platform to make a difference, grow as a future People leader, and leave your mark on a truly international brand. We know our colleagues work tirelessly to make JD Sports the success it is today and in turn, we offer them some amazing benefits including staff Discount on JD Group and other brands within the organisation and personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work.