At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and execution in a dynamic energy company.
- Company: Join a family of brands revolutionising energy for a greener future.
- Benefits: £50,000 salary, flexible working, mentorship, and career development.
- Other info: Open to military leavers and elite athletes; supportive community awaits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while transitioning from military or elite sports to corporate.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic planning and project management tools.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
A variety of soft skills and experience may be required for the following role. Please ensure you check the overview below carefully.
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.
September 2026 Intake
Location: UK wide. Hybrid with occasional office travel for collaboration and team meetings. For example: London, Windsor, Reading, Leicester
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 Strategy & Planning Manager role is one of them.
What you'll do:
- 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
- Coordinate cross-functional input and alignment to ensure the plan is executable
- 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
- Operate in a complex, ambiguous environment, solving problems that are not clearly defined
- Apply structured, logical thinking to bring clarity to ambiguity
- Make informed decisions on planning approach, milestones, sequencing and prioritisation
- Work autonomously to identify risks, issues & dependencies, taking proactive action
- Adapt plans in response to changing priorities or emerging information
- Balance competing priorities and trade-offs (e.g. speed vs rigour, ambition vs deliverability)
What we're looking for:
We're looking for potential, not perfection. You don't need to meet every requirement to apply:
- 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; ability to structure complex strategic inputs into clear, useable datasets and plans
- 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
- Strong ability to integrate and exploit AI to maximise efficiency and output
- Expert communicator - able to structure written reports and presentations for full range of stakeholders, ensuring informed, risk aware, agile decision-making
- An absolute, resolute focus on delivery
- 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.
Who the programme is for:
This placement is open to:
- 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 recognise excellence: We want you to feel included, supported and able to succeed. On placement you'll receive:
- Real project & transformation experience in a FTSE100 organisation
- £50,000 salary for the 12-month placement
- 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
- A Buddy from our Ex-Military or Athlete communities
- For Service Leavers: the chance to begin placement during your final four resettlement weeks
How to apply:
Please upload one document (Word or PDF) that includes:
- Personal Statement (max 750 words). Tell us: Which placement role you're applying for, How your skills, experience, capabilities and personal qualities align to the role
- CV (max 2 pages). Highlight your: Transferable skills related to the role & your key achievements, Qualifications, Military or athletic experience
Key dates:
- Application deadline: midnight Friday 26th June
- Screening Interviews - online: Will take place in June - mid July
- Business Area Interviews - face to face: July and August at one of our office locations
- Placement Start Date: You must be able to start on Wednesday 30th September
If you need any reasonable adjustments during the process, please let us know - we're happy to support you.
Not available in September 2026?
We'll also be offering placements in March 2027, June 2027 and September 2027. The application process for March will likely open in November.
If this placement isn't the right fit, you can explore more.
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.
Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Exeter employer: Centrica - CHP
At our company, we believe in empowering our employees to thrive both personally and professionally. With a strong commitment to sustainability and community impact, we offer a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, alongside tailored mentorship and real project experience in a FTSE100 environment. Our flexible working arrangements and competitive salary ensure that you can balance your career with your personal life, making us an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, especially those in similar roles. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions and scenarios related to strategy and planning. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your unique military or athletic experience during interviews. Highlight how your discipline and resilience can translate into strategic thinking and effective planning in the corporate world.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Make sure to clearly outline which role you're applying for and how your unique skills and experiences align with the Strategy & Planning Manager position. Keep it concise, engaging, and focused on what makes you a great fit.
Tailor Your CV:When it comes to your CV, don’t just send a generic one. Highlight your transferable skills and key achievements that are relevant to the role. Remember, we want to see how your military or athletic background can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Digital Skills:Given the emphasis on digital literacy in the job description, make sure to showcase your proficiency in tools like Excel and PowerPoint. If you've used project management software or AI tools, mention those too! We love seeing candidates who can leverage technology effectively.
Be Authentic:We’re looking for potential, not perfection! Don’t hesitate to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your journey, your motivations, and what drives you. We want to know the real you, so be genuine and passionate about your future with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica - CHP
✨Know Your Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's strategic vision and recent initiatives. Understand how your skills can align with their goals, especially in terms of sustainability and innovation. This will help you articulate how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your military or athletic background that demonstrate your ability to lead planning processes and manage complex projects. Highlight instances where you've turned strategy into action, as this is crucial for the Strategy and Planning Manager role.
✨Master the Tools
Familiarise yourself with the project management tools mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft Planner and PowerBI. Being able to discuss your proficiency with these tools will show that you're ready to hit the ground running and can effectively manage strategic plans.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would approach stakeholder management in your previous roles. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully communicated with diverse groups and gained buy-in for your plans. This will demonstrate your exceptional communication skills and ability to navigate complex environments.
