Early Careers Lead in Warrington

Great British Energy - Nuclear is an arm's length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. We play a crucial role in advancing nuclear new build, ensuring the UK's energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Great British Energy - Nuclear focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future.

We are seeking an experienced and credible Early Careers Lead to take ownership of GBEN's early careers strategy and programmes. This is a senior role with responsibility for setting direction, making decisions, managing key partnerships and ensuring early careers provision delivers real value for individuals, the organisation and the wider nuclear sector.

• Strategic Impact: You will shape GBEN's early careers strategy at a critical moment for the organisation and the UK nuclear sector.
• Autonomy & Ownership: You will have end‑to‑end responsibility for early careers programmes, from strategy through to delivery and evaluation.
• External Influence: Build and sustain relationships with government, industry, education and regional partners, including a strong place‑based focus in Anglesey.
• Purpose‑Driven Work: Contribute directly to the development of a skilled, diverse and future‑ready nuclear workforce.

The successful candidate will be aligned to either our Warrington (Greater Manchester) or Wylfa (Anglesey) office.

• Early Careers Strategy & Leadership: Develop, own and continuously evolve GBEN's Early Careers Strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, workforce planning and national nuclear skills agendas.
• Act as the organisational lead and subject matter expert for early careers, providing strategic advice and insight to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for GBEN's graduate and apprentice programmes, ensuring they are well designed, well governed and deliver strong outcomes.
• Ensure a high quality experience for early career participants, balancing development, wellbeing and performance expectations.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external delivery partners (e.g. training providers, universities, colleges, skills bodies and government schemes).
• Develop and strengthen place based relationships in Anglesey, working with local stakeholders to support skills pipelines, outreach and regional capability building.

• Establish and maintain appropriate governance, assurance and evaluation mechanisms for early careers activity.
• Use data, feedback and insight to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate impact and value for money.

• Work closely with People & Culture colleagues, line managers and technical leaders to embed early careers talent effectively across the organisation.
• Support line managers to develop confidence and capability in managing and developing early career colleagues.
• Lead strategic planning and decision making for GBEN's early careers portfolio.
• Manage relationships with external providers, partners and stakeholders.
• Oversee programme delivery, risks, issues and continuous improvement activity.
• Engage regularly with early career participants and managers to gather insight and feedback.
• Represent GBEN in external internal and external early careers, skills and nuclear workforce forums.
• Produce briefings, papers, presentations and updates for senior leaders as required.

• Significant experience leading early careers, talent or workforce development programmes at organisational or system level.
• Proven ability to operate autonomously, setting strategy and translating it into effective delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience working across organisational boundaries.
• Experience of managing graduate and/or apprenticeship programmes and external delivery partners.
• Credibility and confidence working with senior leaders and external bodies.
• Strong understanding of skills, workforce and early careers challenges within complex or technical environments.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship building skills.

• Degree or equivalent experience in HR, Learning & Development, Education, Workforce Development or a related field.

At GBE-N, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. If you require any support or adjustments to help you with your application, please contact us at Recruitment@greatbritishnuclear.uk, and we will be happy to provide assistance.