At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workplace transformation and enhance operational performance across various sites.
- Company: Join a leading FTSE100 organisation committed to supporting military and elite athletes.
- Benefits: Earn £50,000, gain real project experience, and enjoy flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Opportunity for permanent role after 12-month placement and access to employee networks.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact while transitioning into a rewarding career with mentorship support.
- Qualifications: Experience in change projects, strong communication skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 68231 £ per year.
September 2026 Intake
Location: UK wide. Hybrid with regular travel to office sites required. 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.
Overview: We are 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. This role is one of five placement roles available.
What you’ll do: As a Workplace Lead, you’ll enable the performance and growth of Centrica by combining workplace transformation delivery with strong operational leadership across a portfolio of sites.
Responsibilities include:
- Transformation Delivery: Deliver workplace change programmes (moves, refurbishments, new concepts, employee experience improvements), embed new ways of working and support colleagues through change journeys.
- Operational Delivery: Own the day‑to‑day performance of the workplace environment, resolve issues, optimise services and drive consistency. Work with FM partners and suppliers to ensure delivery against agreed standards and SLAs, monitor performance and challenge where required.
- Build relationships with business leaders, People teams and enabling functions; act as a credible interface between Workplace and the business.
- Support the adoption of workplace technology, tools and digital solutions; reinforce behaviours that maximise the value of workplace investment.
- Use data, feedback and observation to identify improvement opportunities; drive continuous improvement in workplace processes, experience and service delivery.
Key Accountabilities:
- Deliver workplace change activity across assigned locations, ensuring safe, smooth and high‑quality implementation.
- Translate workplace strategy into practical delivery, embedding standards, concepts and colleague journeys.
- Support change readiness, communication and adoption of new ways of working.
- Take accountability for workplace outcomes across a defined portfolio (experience, utilisation, service performance).
- Establish a strong operational rhythm (issues, escalation, communications, stakeholder engagement) to ensure consistency and pace.
- Identify risks, resolve issues quickly and ensure workplace readiness at all times.
- Support the move from reactive issue management to proactive optimisation.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Experience delivering change projects or operational improvements in a complex organisation.
- Strong operational capability – run and prioritise across multiple activities and stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to translate strategy into practical delivery.
- Proven track record of delivering outcomes that improve experience, quality or efficiency.
- Comfortable working in ambiguity and fast‑paced change environments.
- Experience in workplace, estates, facilities, operations or service environments.
- Experience working with suppliers or external partners.
- Experience in matrix environments.
- High levels of ownership and accountability.
- A collaborative and inclusive mindset.
- An ability to balance strategic intent with operational delivery.
- Results‑oriented, pragmatic and resilient.
Benefits:
- 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 Employee Networks.
- A Buddy from the Ex‑Military or Athlete communities.
- For Service Leavers: the chance to begin placement during your final four resettlement weeks.
Who can apply:
- 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.
Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement – Workplace Lead in Leeds employer: Centrica
Centrica is an exceptional employer that offers a unique opportunity for Military Service Leavers and Elite Athletes to transition into rewarding careers through our Talent Placement Programme. With a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and access to dedicated mentorship, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Our commitment to workplace transformation and operational excellence ensures that you will gain invaluable experience in a dynamic environment while building meaningful connections across various office locations in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement – Workplace Lead in Leeds
✨Get Involved with University Career Services
Uni career services are a goldmine for placement opportunities, especially in corporate leadership roles. They often host workshops and employer meet-and-greets, so make sure you attend—it's a brilliant way to connect with recruiters and get the inside scoop on what companies like Centrica are looking for.
✨Tap into Leadership Clubs and Organisations
Join student leadership clubs and societies; they’re great places to not only develop your skills but also meet industry professionals. Networking within these communities can lead to invaluable connections that might just land you a placement with a company like Centrica.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills Online
Use platforms like LinkedIn to share your insights on leadership trends or success stories from group projects. Engage with posts from industry leaders and brands like Centrica. This visibility can definitely catch the eye of recruiters looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
When you're ready to apply for that dream placement, head straight to our website. We often have the latest opportunities listed there, so keep an eye out for roles at Centrica and be sure to submit your application early to stand out in the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Military & Elite Athlete 2026 Talent Placement – Workplace Lead in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Leadership Potential:In your CV and cover letter, highlight your leadership experience, even if it's from group projects or clubs. We want to see evidence of your ability to motivate and manage others, so include specific examples where you took charge or facilitated a group's success, whether in school or in your community.
Tailor Your Application to Corporate Culture:Research Centrica and make sure your application reflects its corporate values and culture. Use insights from their website or social media to inform your language and examples. This shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being part of their team.
Focus on Your Learning Journey:Since this is a placement, show us why you’re keen to learn and grow. Your cover letter should express your eagerness to gain real-world experience in corporate leadership and how you aim to apply what you learn. It’s not just about what you can bring to the table, but also what you hope to gain from the experience.
Be Clear About Your Availability:In your application, make sure to be upfront about when you can start and if you have any commitments that might affect your placement. This helps Centrica plan better and shows you’re organised, which is key in corporate environments!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica
✨Show Your Leadership Potential
In corporate leadership management, it's all about demonstrating your ability to inspire and guide teams. Come prepared with examples from your coursework or previous experiences where you took the initiative or managed a project — even if it was a group assignment. This will show Centrica that you can handle the responsibilities that come with the role.
✨Understand Organisational Dynamics
Brush up on concepts related to organisational behaviour and team dynamics, as these are crucial in management roles. Be ready to discuss how you would navigate conflicts or motivate team members in various scenarios; even hypothetical ones can showcase your thought processes. Use this knowledge to connect your answers back to how you would fit into Centrica’s culture.
✨Focus on Learning and Growth
Since this is a placement, employers are keen on your willingness to learn. Emphasise your motivation to develop skills and gain experience in leadership. Talk about what you hope to learn at Centrica and how this placement aligns with your career aspirations, showcasing that you’re committed to growing alongside the team.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Current Trends
Keep an eye on current trends in corporate leadership and management, such as agile leadership or remote team management. Being able to discuss these trends during your interview will show Centrica that you're engaged with the industry and ready to bring fresh ideas to the table. Think about how these trends could apply to their specific operations and prepare some thoughts in advance.
