At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and develop actionable business plans in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a leading energy company committed to sustainability and positive community impact.
- Benefits: Flexible working, dedicated mentorship, and potential for permanent placement.
- Other info: Supportive culture with access to employee networks and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a FTSE100 company while transitioning your career.
- Qualifications: Military or elite athlete experience with strong strategic planning skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We're so much more than an energy company. We're a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. 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.
Hybrid with occasional office travel for collaboration and team meetings. Length of Placement: 12-month Fixed Term Contract with significant potential to roll off into a Permanent role.
A programme designed to help you thrive during career transition. We're delighted to open applications for our Military & Elite Athlete Talent Placement Programme - September 2026 Intake. This programme is designed to support you as you transition into a new career. Whether you're leaving the Armed Forces or finishing an elite sporting career, we welcome the experience, discipline and resilience you bring. You'll gain hands-on experience in a FTSE100 organisation, receive tailored support, and join a community that values who you are and what you can offer.
We have five placement roles available, and the Strategy & Planning Manager role is one of them. The Strategy and Corporate Development team are responsible for setting the strategic vision, ambition and direction for Centrica Business. They translate this into business plans and performance measures used to track delivery and measure success.
Working closely with the Director of Strategy and Planning, you'll have primary accountability for developing the Business Unit's Strategic Plan, ensuring it is clear, coherent and actionable:
- Translate strategic ideas into a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Business Unit.
- Work with Strategy, Commercial, Operations and Tech teams to understand business vision, ambition and objectives.
- Report progress against the Strategic Plan to the MD and Centrica Business Leadership Team.
- Deliver high quality stakeholder management across the spectrum of senior and peer stakeholders to ensure buy-in.
- Continuously challenge and improve ways of working seeking to optimise efficiency whilst delivering commercial success.
- Make informed decisions on planning approach, milestones, sequencing and prioritisation.
- Work autonomously to identify risks, issues & dependencies, taking proactive action.
- Deep experience within strategic and campaign planning.
- Proven ability to translate high-level strategy into concrete plans, milestones and deliverables.
- Experience leading planning processes, turning strategy into a fully executed, successful plan.
- Exceptional digital literacy; An ability to design the planning system - not just operate it.
- Expert use of Excel and Powerpoint, building robust planning tools and exec-ready visualisations.
- Experience in project management toolsets: Microsoft Planner, Project, Visio/Miro, PowerBI.
- Expert communicator - able to structure written reports and presentations for full range of stakeholders, ensuring informed, risk aware, agile decision-making.
- PM qualifications or experience operating within environments using methodologies such as Agile or Scrum is desirable.
On placement you'll also have a dedicated business mentor, opportunities to meet senior leaders, and plenty of support to settle into your role.
Military Service Leavers: leaving the Forces or within the 2-year CTP window at application.
Elite Athletes: international competition experience and/or professional UK sports experience within the last three years.
We want you to feel included, supported and able to succeed. Real project & transformation experience in a FTSE100 organisation, a dedicated mentor to help you build commercial skills, flexible working and travel to office locations when collaboration is needed, access to our Employee Networks, and a Buddy from our Ex-Military or Athlete communities.
For Service Leavers: the chance to begin placement during your final four resettlement weeks.
How your skills, experience, capabilities and personal qualities align to the role:
- Military or athletic experience.
Application deadline: midnight Friday 26th June.
Screening Interviews - online: Business Area Interviews - face to face: July and August at one of our office locations.
If you need any reasonable adjustments during the process, please let us know - we're happy to support you. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. 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.
Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Antrim employer: Centrica - CHP
At our company, we pride ourselves on being more than just an energy provider; we are a community dedicated to fostering a greener future. As a Military & Elite Athlete Talent Placement participant, you'll benefit from tailored support, mentorship, and the opportunity to work within a dynamic FTSE100 environment that values your unique experiences. Our inclusive culture promotes personal growth and offers flexible working arrangements, ensuring you thrive both professionally and personally during your transition.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Antrim
✨Get Amongst Strategy Events
Corporate strategy thrives on fresh ideas and creative thinking, so get to those networking events and workshops in your area. Look for company-hosted strategy talks or conferences — you'll not only meet potential employers, but also gain insights into the latest industry trends!
✨Max Out Your University Resources
As you're looking for a placement, tap into your university’s career services. They often have connections with companies in need of strategy interns. Don't forget to check for any career fairs or employer presentations, as these are gold mines for networking and finding openings.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Use LinkedIn to seek out alumni from your university who are working in corporate strategy. Send them a friendly message asking for advice — you’ll be surprised how many are willing to help out a fellow student. Plus, it can lead to opportunities or insights that aren’t publicly advertised.
✨Apply through Our Website – It's a Must!
When you find a placement that tickles your fancy, don’t forget to apply through Centrica - CHP’s website. We often look closely at applications that come directly from our site, so make sure yours stands out with your personality and the skills you’ve built during your studies.
We think you need these skills to ace Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Antrim
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Strategic Thinking:Since you're going for a placement in corporate strategy, make sure your CV and cover letter reflect how you think strategically. Highlight experiences where you've had to analyse situations, identify opportunities, or solve problems. Use real examples that show your decision-making process and the impact of your actions—this is what will grab our attention at Centrica - CHP.
Flex Your Analytical Skills:Don't forget to showcase your analytical abilities in your application. Include any relevant coursework that demonstrates your grasp of data interpretation, market analysis, or financial modelling. If you've worked on case studies or projects related to corporate strategy during your studies, definitely mention those to prove you're ready to dive in headfirst at Centrica - CHP.
Tailor Your Documents Specifically for Us:We love it when applicants personalise their applications. Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to Centrica - CHP and the specific role of Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager. Mention what excites you about our company’s mission and values, how your aspirations align with ours, and why you think you'd be a great fit for the team. A generic application just won’t cut it!
Keep it Professional Yet Approachable:While you want your application to be polished, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Corporate strategy can be serious business, but we appreciate candidates who can communicate effectively and bring fresh ideas. Make sure your tone in your cover letter is friendly yet professional, showing that you’re eagerly looking to learn and contribute during your placement.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica - CHP
✨Get to Grips with Corporate Strategy Basics
Make sure you're well-versed in the fundamentals of corporate strategy. Brush up on key concepts like SWOT analysis and market positioning. Knowing these inside out will help us impress Centrica - CHP when we discuss how we can contribute to their strategic goals during the interview.
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
As a corporate strategy intern, you might be put through some case studies or analytical scenarios. Prepare to tackle questions that require logical reasoning and structured thinking. Practise breaking down complex problems and developing clear recommendations - this will show Centrica - CHP that you can think strategically.
✨Tailor Your Experience to Show Value
Think about past projects, coursework, or experiences that relate directly to corporate strategy. We should be ready to explain how these experiences have prepared us for this placement. Highlight any group work or leadership roles where we've demonstrated strategic thinking or teamwork, as these are crucial in this field.
✨Engage with Itching Questions
Don’t shy away from asking insightful questions about Centrica - CHP's ongoing projects or strategic direction. This not only shows our genuine interest but also gives us a chance to demonstrate our enthusiasm and knowledge of current trends in the industry. Let’s make every interaction count!
