At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative People Operations projects and enhance HR services in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking energy company committed to sustainability and community impact.
- Benefits: £50,000 salary, flexible working, mentorship, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Open to military leavers and elite athletes; placements available in multiple intakes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a FTSE100 company while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR or People Operations, strong communication, and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ 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.
Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - People Operations Lead
September 2026 Intake
Location: UK wide. Hybrid with occasional office travel for collaboration and team meetings. For example: Leicester, Stockport, London, Windsor, Reading
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 People Operations Lead role is one of them.
What you'll do:
As a People Operations Lead, you'll lead and deliver critical People Operations transformation activity whilst providing high-quality operational leadership across core HR services, ensuring a consistent, efficient and colleague-centric experience. It's an exciting role and no two days will be the same.
This role combines:
- Transformation delivery: aligned to the Future Operating Model and technology roadmap
- Operational leadership: across Employee Relations (ER) processes and case management
- Capability build: including establishing a dedicated Investigations Team
The role directly supports Centrica's shift to:
- A tech-enabled, data-driven People Operations function
- A consistent, scalable ER and case management model
- A proactive approach to colleague relations and experience
During your placement, you will:
- Take on a high-impact, hands-on role and operate across three interconnected domains. These are:
- Operating Model Transformation:
- Support design and implementation of the Future People Operations model
- Translate strategic design into practical, workable processes and structures
- Drive standardisation, governance, and clear ownership across services
- Technology & Process Transformation:
- Lead delivery of People Operations technology changes
- Simplify and digitise colleague and manager journeys
- Embed automation, workflow consistency, and data insight
- Operational Delivery & ER Capability Build:
- Provide leadership across day-to-day People Operations activities
- Establish and operationalise a central Investigations Team
- Strengthen ER case handling, governance, and consistency
You'll also live our values: Courage, Care, Delivery, Agility and Collaboration.
What we're looking for:
We're looking for potential, not perfection. You don't need to meet every requirement to apply:
- Experience of HR / People Operations / ER environments
- Operational delivery in complex organisations
- Strong process design and improvement capability
- Ability to translate strategy into practical delivery and lead change in ambiguous environments
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- High levels of ownership, accountability and resilience
- Experience operating in structured, high-accountability environments
- Leading teams through change or transformation
- Problem solving and decision-making capability
- Ability to work across multiple priorities and stakeholders
- An interest in People transformation and Technology & operational improvement
This role offers:
- Exposure to enterprise-level transformation
- Experience in building and scaling operational capabilities
- Opportunity to lead real organisational change
- Development of strategic, operational, and people leadership capability
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:
- 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 only 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.
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 & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement People Operations Lead in Manchester employer: Centrica - CHP
Join a forward-thinking energy company that values your unique experiences as a Military Service Leaver or Elite Athlete. With a commitment to personal and professional growth, you'll benefit from tailored support, flexible working arrangements, and the opportunity to lead impactful transformation projects within a collaborative and inclusive culture. Here, your contributions are recognised, and you can thrive in a role that not only supports your career transition but also empowers you to make a meaningful difference in the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement People Operations Lead in Manchester
✨Get Involved with HR Communities
Join online HR communities like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or local HR meet-ups for valuable networking. These are great places to connect with seasoned professionals and fellow interns who might know about placement opportunities.
✨Maximise Your University Career Services
Utilise your university's career services for placement opportunities. They often have partnerships with companies looking to hire students, so leverage that to get the inside track on openings at places like Centrica - CHP.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
In HR, soft skills like communication and empathy are critical. In your interviews, share stories that highlight these skills, and don’t forget to mention any relevant volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your people skills.
✨Tailor Your Application for Each Company
Every company has its own culture and values. Research Centrica - CHP thoroughly and reflect this understanding in your interviews or conversations. Showing that you fit into their culture can make a significant difference in landing your placement.
We think you need these skills to ace Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement People Operations Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your people skills:In the HR world, your ability to connect with people is key! When writing your cover letter, give examples of how you've handled team dynamics or resolved conflicts. Even if it’s from uni projects or part-time jobs, let us see you in action!
Highlight Relevant Studies and Projects:If you've taken any specific courses or have done projects related to HR, seriously brag about them in your CV! Mention key topics you've studied, like recruitment strategies or employee engagement, as they show you're already invested in the field.
Tailor Your Documents to HR Language:Use relevant HR jargon in your CV and cover letter. Words like 'talent acquisition', 'employee relations', and 'performance management' will make your application stand out as it signals that you know your stuff in the HR world!
Share Your Career Aspirations:As this is a placement, we want to see your motivation to learn and grow in the HR field. Use your cover letter to describe why you're passionate about HR and how this placement at Centrica - CHP aligns with your career goals. Show us your enthusiasm!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica - CHP
✨Get Familiar with HR Tools
Since you're aiming for a role in human resources, it’s super beneficial to be familiar with HR software like Workday or BambooHR. If you can, brush up on how these tools work as you'll likely be asked about them during your interview at Centrica - CHP.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
As an HR intern, your ability to connect with people is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences—whether in group projects or volunteer work—where you had to handle conflicts or support team members. This'll show that you can translate theory into practice, which is crucial for us when we look for placements.
✨Understand the Latest HR Trends
Keep yourself updated on current trends in the HR field, like diversity and inclusion practices or remote work strategies. Bring up these topics during your interview to show your enthusiasm and awareness of the industry changes; it can set you apart at Centrica - CHP.
✨Craft Your Learning Story
Since this is a placement, the focus should be on your motivation and willingness to learn. Be ready to share why you’re excited about joining Centrica - CHP and what specific skills you hope to gain. This will help us see your potential and fit for the team.
