At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative People Operations activities and enhance HR services for a colleague-centric experience.
- Company: Join a leading FTSE100 organisation focused on innovation and transformation.
- Benefits: £50,000 salary, flexible working, dedicated mentor, and access to employee networks.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth with exposure to enterprise-level transformation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR or People Operations, strong communication, and problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
September 2026 Intake
Location & Duration: UK wide. Hybrid with occasional office travel for collaboration and team meetings (e.g. Leicester, Stockport, London, Windsor, Reading). 12‑month fixed‑term contract with potential to roll off into a permanent role.
About the Role: As a People Operations Lead you will lead and deliver critical People Operations transformation activities, while providing high‑quality operational leadership across core HR services, ensuring a consistent, efficient and colleague‑centric experience. 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
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:
- 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:
- 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 will 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:
- 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
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.
Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement – People Operations Lead employer: Centrica Plc
Centrica is an exceptional employer for Military Service Leavers and Elite Athletes, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative People Operations initiatives within a FTSE100 organisation. With a strong focus on employee development, you will benefit from a dedicated mentor, flexible working arrangements, and the chance to engage with senior leaders, all while contributing to meaningful change in a supportive and collaborative environment. Our commitment to values such as Courage, Care, Delivery, Agility, and Collaboration ensures a workplace culture that prioritises your growth and well-being.
