At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape strategic programmes for Service Leavers, Veterans, and Athletes.
- Company: Centrica is revolutionising energy for a greener, fairer future with a family of brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible rewards, support for your well-being, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by unlocking potential and driving positive change in communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in Armed Forces, HR, or programme management; strong leadership and communication skills required.
- Other info: Join a diverse team where your voice matters and growth is a priority.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join us, be part of more. We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We’re energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that’s energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That’s why working here is #MoreThanACareer.
We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it. At Centrica, we’re proud to champion the unique strengths of the Armed Forces and Elite Athlete communities. As we expand our commitment, we’re seeking an inspiring and strategic Head of Pathways to lead our flagship programmes supporting Service Leavers, Veterans, Reservists, Military Families, and high-performing athletes.
In this key role, you’ll be responsible for shaping and delivering our Armed Forces and Athlete strategy, creating a first-class experience from attraction and onboarding through to long-term career development. You’ll oversee internal and external workstreams, build strong partnerships with organisations such as the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), Forces Employment Charity (FEC), and X-Forces Enterprise (XFE), and represent Centrica across national military and sports networks. As the face of our network, you’ll identify transferable skills, champion inclusion, and ensure every candidate has a clear and supported journey into civilian employment. Your in-depth understanding of military transition pathways and talent pipelines will be vital in driving innovation and meaningful change.
If you’re passionate about unlocking potential, influencing positive transformation, and building rewarding careers for outstanding individuals, we’d love to hear from you.
The Role: You’ll shape and deliver the strategic vision for Centrica’s Forces and Athletes programme, translating this vision into structured workstreams, ensuring strong governance, clear planning, and effective delivery—particularly across our flagship Leadership Placement Programme. You’ll lead programme design and execution, working closely with internal teams such as recruitment and talent, as well as external partners, to develop tailored solutions that support long-term success. From high-level planning to detailed task management, you’ll ensure the programme runs smoothly and delivers measurable impact. Using data insights and industry best practice, you’ll report on performance, drive continuous improvement, and adapt plans to meet evolving needs. You’ll also manage senior stakeholders, oversee risk and issue resolution, and ensure deployment and development plans are well-timed and targeted to maximise engagement.
The Person: We are seeking a strategic and results-driven leader from within the Armed Forces community and a passion for delivering impactful, business-aligned programmes. You will bring a collaborative approach, strong commercial awareness, and the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation. Your ability to think creatively and drive cultural change will be key to the success of this role.
Key Skills & Experience:
- In-depth knowledge of the MOD and UK Armed Forces community including transition pathways, national support networks and veteran organisations
- Proven track record of leading complex programmes aligned to strategic business objectives
- Significant experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders across multiple functions
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced environment
- Background in HR, recruitment, or programme management; experience within Forces-related initiatives is highly desirable
- Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills, with confidence in engaging senior internal and external audiences
- Experience leading teams and fostering cross-functional collaboration
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with attention to detail
- Skilled in building and maintaining effective partnerships and professional networks
Why should you apply? We’re not a perfect place – but we’re a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That’s why we’ve designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too.
If you’re full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.
Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.
Head of Pathways employer: Centrica Plc
Contact Detail:
Centrica Plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Pathways
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key organisations mentioned in the job description, such as the Career Transition Partnership and Forces Employment Charity. Understanding their missions and how they align with Centrica's goals will help you articulate your vision for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals who have experience in military transition pathways or have worked in similar roles. Engaging with these individuals can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals within Centrica.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led complex programmes in the past. Highlight your ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage competing priorities, as these are crucial skills for the Head of Pathways role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for supporting the Armed Forces community and athletes by sharing any relevant volunteer work or initiatives you've been involved in. This demonstrates your commitment to the mission and values of Centrica.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Pathways
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take the time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Head of Pathways position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the strategic vision and programme management aspects outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your background in HR, recruitment, or programme management, especially if you have experience with Forces-related initiatives. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to lead complex programmes and engage senior stakeholders effectively.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to showcase your strong verbal, written, and presentation skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've influenced change and built effective partnerships in previous roles, as these are key skills for this position.
Personalise Your Application: Craft a personalised cover letter that reflects your passion for supporting Service Leavers, Veterans, and high-performing athletes. Share your motivation for wanting to work at Centrica and how you can contribute to their mission of creating a greener, fairer future.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica Plc
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Centrica's values and culture. They pride themselves on being more than just an energy company, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with their mission of creating a greener, fairer future.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As the Head of Pathways, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led complex programmes or initiatives that align with business objectives, especially in the context of military transition pathways.
✨Highlight Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
This role requires significant interaction with senior stakeholders. Be ready to share specific instances where you've influenced decision-making or built strong partnerships, particularly within the Armed Forces community or related sectors.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle competing priorities. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and be ready to discuss the outcomes and lessons learned.