Role: Social Value and Early Careers Advisor
Location: West Burton Power Station, Retford, Nottinghamshire.
Work Pattern: Hybrid - 3 days per week on site.
Hours per week: 37.5
Duration: Permanent
ILIOS Overview
ILIOS is the Construction Partner for the UK’s STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) fusion programme, the UK’s world‑leading programme to design and build a prototype fusion energy power plant at West Burton in Nottinghamshire.
ILIOS is a consortium led by a joint venture between Kier and Nuvia, supported by AECOM, AL_A and Turner & Townsend, bringing together extensive experience across major national infrastructure, nuclear and safety‑critical engineering, complex site transformation, programme and cost management, and world‑class design.
Working as part of the public–private sector integrated team led by UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), ILIOS is embedded in the programme as STEP transitions from planning into delivery.
The consortium supports the design and construction of buildings, infrastructure and facilities across the STEP site, alongside constructability, programme planning, site management, supply‑chain engagement and project controls, helping to ensure delivery is safe, buildable and fully integrated with the wider programme.
The appointment of ILIOS marks a significant milestone in the UK’s transition to clean energy and supports STEP’s mission to demonstrate fusion energy and develop a world‑leading fusion supply chain, creating long‑term economic and skills opportunities for the UK.
Description of job:
As part of the STEP programme, the Social Value & Early Careers Advisor will play a key role in delivering ILIOS' social value commitments as Construction Partner, creating lasting social impact through skills development, education engagement, employability initiatives, and workforce development activities.
The postholder will be responsible for building strong partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, training providers, community organisations, industry partners, and the supply chain to support the delivery of social value outcomes and develop talent pipelines that meet both the future workforce needs of the STEP programme and the wider region.
Working closely with UK Fusion Energy (UKFE), UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), project teams, supply chain partners, educational institutions, and local stakeholders, the role will coordinate and deliver activities that contribute to meaningful social value outcomes, enhance community benefit, and support the development of a skilled and diverse workforce capable of supporting the UK's future fusion energy ambitions.
Responsibilities:
Social Value Delivery
- Coordinate and deliver ILIOS' social value commitments as Construction Partner for the STEP programme, ensuring activities align with contractual requirements, programme objectives, and community priorities.
- Coordinate initiatives that contribute to local employment opportunities, skills development, workforce diversification, social mobility, and economic growth.
- Develop and support employability and workforce-readiness activities for young people, local residents, and priority groups, helping to create pathways into employment and training opportunities.
- Monitor, measure, and report social value outcomes, providing evidence for client reporting, programme governance, stakeholder engagement, and impact assessments.
- Work with supply chain partners to identify, promote, and maximise social value opportunities linked to skills development, education engagement, employability, and early careers initiatives.
- Develop case studies, success stories, impact reports, and evidence that demonstrate the social value delivered by ILIOS and its supply chain partners.
Early Careers and Talent Pipeline Development
- Coordinate early careers initiatives including apprenticeships, graduate programmes, industrial placements, work experience opportunities, internships, and careers engagement activities.
- Support the attraction, onboarding, development, and progression of early career entrants within ILIOS.
- Work with line managers and training providers to ensure high-quality development experiences and successful progression through learning programmes.
- Track and report on participation, diversity, retention, qualification achievement, and career progression metrics.
- Provide insight and data from early careers programmes to inform future skills and workforce development activities.
Education and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain effective relationships with schools, colleges, universities, training providers, local authorities, community organisations, and industry partners.
- Work collaboratively with UKFE, UKAEA, and wider STEP outreach, communications, and stakeholder engagement teams to coordinate education and community activities, ensuring a joined-up approach to engagement and maximising social value impact.
- Represent ILIOS and the STEP programme at education, skills, careers, and industry events, promoting opportunities within fusion energy and related sectors.
- Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders seeking collaboration opportunities around education, skills, employability, workforce development, and community engagement.
STEM Outreach and Community Engagement
- Design and deliver STEM activities, careers events, workshops, employability sessions, and community engagement initiatives that inspire future talent and raise awareness of opportunities associated with the STEP programme.
- Work closely with UKFE, UKAEA, and STEP communications and outreach teams to align messaging, campaigns, events, and engagement activities.
- Support and coordinate employee volunteering, STEM Ambassador participation, and engagement initiatives that contribute to social value commitments.
- Coordinate participation in national STEM campaigns, regional skills initiatives, community engagement events, and workforce development programmes.
- Promote participation from underrepresented groups and support activities that contribute to a diverse and inclusive future workforce.
- Contribute to activities that support the long-term skills and workforce legacy ambitions of the STEP programme.
Recognition and Communications
- Identify opportunities for external recognition through awards, industry events, and best practice forums.
- Promote success stories and examples of social value delivery internally and externally.
- Support communications and employer-brand activities that showcase the impact of ILIOS' contribution to the STEP programme and its social value commitments.
Essential Knowledge and Experience
- Experience delivering social value, community engagement, education partnerships, employability, early careers, or workforce development initiatives.
- Experience building relationships with educational institutions, community organisations, employers, and other external stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of apprenticeship, graduate, and vocational development pathways.
- Experience measuring and reporting outcomes and impact.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Passion for creating positive social impact through skills and employment opportunities.
- A full UK driver’s license
Social Value and Early Careers Advisor in Retford employer: NUVIA
NUVIA is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where experienced professionals mentor less experienced consultants. With a hybrid working model, competitive benefits such as a private medical scheme, share scheme, and generous annual leave, NUVIA fosters a rewarding environment for those passionate about safety in the nuclear sector.
