Early Careers Data & Operations Practitioner

Job Title: Early Careers Practitioner – Data Performance & Operations

Location: Preston, Lancashire. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this role.

Salary: Circa £44,000 depending on experience

Overview

This role contributes to the effective compliance of apprenticeship programmes with funding regulations, quality standards, and audit processes. It involves managing learner and funding data, developing insightful reporting, and supporting the Early Careers talent pipeline with a positive learner experience.

What you\’ll be doing

• Contribute to the effective compliance of apprenticeship programmes with funding regulations, quality standards, and audit processes
• Maintain accurate learner and funding data, resolving issues promptly to support reliable reporting
• Lead the development of insightful reports and analysis to inform strategic business decisions
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights using tools such as Power BI, Excel, and SSRS
• Oversee enrolment and onboarding of the Early Careers talent pipeline (i.e. apprentices), ensuring a seamless and positive learner experience
• Monitor enrolment milestones and collaborate with teams to maintain an effective and compliant enrolment
• Provide expert guidance and training to colleagues and partners on funding, compliance, and data management
• Drive continuous improvement by streamlining processes and implementing best practice across Early Careers services

Your skills and experiences

• Experience working in an education funding environment, with practical knowledge of funding rules and compliance requirements; experience with apprenticeships is advantageous
• Advanced data skills, including Excel, with proven experience in leading data analysis, reporting, and implementing data-driven strategies; experience with Power BI, SSRS, and data warehousing is desirable
• Experience working with Management Information Systems to manage enrolment, onboarding, and learner record processes within an education or funded programme environment
• Knowledge of GDPR, data protection, ISO:9001 standards, and auditing processes is desirable

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Early Careers Team

You will be joining the Apprentice Capability Team within Early Careers, working alongside experienced funding and compliance specialists who operate across a variety of funding streams to ensure apprenticeship compliance across the UK. You will be part of a collaborative and dynamic team, contributing your expertise to maintain high standards, streamline processes, and support the growth and success of our Early Careers provision. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact, working in an environment that values innovation, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you\’ll be able to make a real difference. You\’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you\’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must at a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.