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- Tasks: Lead and improve Early Careers programmes, ensuring high-quality placements and learner support.
- Company: Join SSE, a leader in energy transition with a commitment to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, wellbeing perks, and generous family entitlements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of early-career talent in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in early-career programme management and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to creating equal opportunities for all.
The predicted salary is between 42600 - 64000 £ per year.
Base Location: You’ll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Perth, Reading, Oxford, Swindon, Melksham, Slough, Poole, New Forest, Basingstoke, Aldershot and Portsmouth.
Salary: £42,600 - £64,000 + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available
The role: This role sits within the Early Careers team and leads on the delivery and continuous improvement of Early Careers programmes, partnering closely with managers to ensure high quality placements, robust learner support and strong progression outcomes. It combines programme management, stakeholder engagement, data-driven improvement and safeguarding awareness to create an inclusive, well-structured learner experience that builds a strong talent pipeline for the business.
You will:
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with managers, providing clear expectations and confident guidance so they can effectively support and develop early-career talent.
- Champion continuous improvement, using programme insights and learner feedback to refine processes, elevate the learner experience and drive high-quality outcomes.
- Coordinate purposeful placement journeys, ensuring each trainee has well-defined objectives, supportive mentors, and structured check-ins that foster growth and performance.
- Create space for open, constructive dialogue, proactively identifying risks or support needs and partnering with HR and programme teams to take timely, people-centred action.
- Guide learners towards successful progression, working across Resourcing, technical teams and managers to track readiness, align opportunities and secure meaningful destination roles.
You have:
- Proven experience leading or shaping early-career programmes, driving improvements in design, quality and learner outcomes across apprenticeships, graduate schemes or similar pathways.
- Trusted advisor to senior leaders, influencing decisions, strengthening manager capability and ensuring high-quality placements, support and development experiences.
- Analytical and insight-led, confident interpreting performance and progression data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, and translating complex standards into clear, actionable guidance.
- Skilled facilitator with strong judgement, adept at leading review conversations, navigating sensitive messages, and supporting learners and managers through performance, welfare or safeguarding interventions.
- Highly organised and strategically minded, experienced in coordinating programme operations, aligning with workforce planning, enhancing programme structures and championing safe, inclusive and supportive learner environments.
About SSE: SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030. Over 14,500 brilliant people work together to power change at SSE. Our Human Resources (integrated Services) teams help make sure they're getting and giving their best. They design the people strategies that make SSE a great place to work. And they empower our teams to meet the demands of our business today, and tomorrow.
Benefits: Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.
Work with an equal opportunity employer: SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact francesca.palmer@sse.com / 01738 344763 to discuss how we can support you. We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.
Ready to apply? Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.
Early Careers Business Lead employer: SSE PLC
Contact Detail:
SSE PLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Careers Business Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at SSE through LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role in the Early Careers team.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding SSE's mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially around building strong talent pipelines and supporting early-career talent.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Be prepared to talk about how you've used data to drive improvements in past roles. This will resonate well with the team looking for someone who can interpret performance and progression data.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining SSE and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Early Careers Business Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Early Careers Business Lead role. Highlight your experience in leading early-career programmes and how you've driven improvements in learner outcomes.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires a data-driven approach, be sure to include examples of how you've used performance data to identify trends and improve processes. We want to see your analytical mindset in action!
Emphasise Collaboration: This position is all about building strong relationships, so share instances where you've successfully collaborated with managers or teams. Show us how you can champion continuous improvement and support early-career talent effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep track of your application. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at SSE PLC
✨Know Your Programmes
Familiarise yourself with the Early Careers programmes offered by the company. Understand their structure, objectives, and how they support learners. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in enhancing the learner experience.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive improvements in past roles. Bring examples of how you've interpreted performance metrics to identify trends and make actionable recommendations. This will highlight your analytical mindset, which is crucial for this position.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since the role involves collaboration with managers and stakeholders, practice building rapport during the interview. Use active listening, ask insightful questions, and engage in a two-way conversation. This will showcase your interpersonal skills and ability to foster strong relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and facilitation skills. Think of examples where you've navigated sensitive situations or supported learners through challenges. This will demonstrate your judgement and capability in handling real-life situations effectively.
