Title:  Early Careers Specialist - NESO

About the role

National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strength lies in our people. Together, we’re shaping the future where clean, affordable energy is accessible for all. Every day is an opportunity to make a real difference, accelerating the progress of sustainable GB energy, keeping people connected and society thriving as we create a brighter tomorrow.

Our Early Careers programmes are designed to build and develop current and future skills we require to deliver on our ambitions as the NESO. Our purpose is to ‘power your potential’

Reporting to the Early Careers Manager, the Early Careers Specialist leads on the design, learning and delivery of the NESO Early Careers programmes. This role specialises in delivering NESO’s Apprenticeship and Power Academy programmes.  

The Early Careers Specialist will lead the continuous improvement, development and delivery of the programmes, ensuring that learners progress effectively, maintain compliance with standards and provide necessary support throughout their programme.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

Key accountabilities

• Supporting the Early Careers Manager, in the ongoing development and evolution of the Early Careers strategy. This includes the design of learning curriculums and delivery approaches.
• Providing proactive programmatic management and continuous improvement to colleagues learning including, performance tracking, objective setting, managing module flows and measuring the success of learning initiatives.
• Leading the design and delivery of programme keep warm activities, inductions, welcome days and graduating events.
• Retaining accountability for pastoral care for all learners on programme, enhanced to reporting on safeguarding concerns to relevant education providers. Collaborating with internal Employee Relations when necessary to conduct thorough and impartial investigations when required.
• Account managing apprenticeship providers, ensuring that NESO requirements are reflected in learning timetables and that learners are progressing through the apprenticeship standard.
• Building and delivering a robust process to ensure apprentices are prepared for End-Point Assessment (EPA).
• Working with key stakeholders within the business to identify internal and external placements needed for specific programmes.
• Leading the internal team of technical experts and business sponsors to deliver on the job training requirements, projects and further enhancements to apprenticeship programmes in line with NESO’s future skills and capabilities
• Designing & delivering guidance and training to placement managers who are supporting the development of people on our early career’s schemes.
• Providing insights and support to the Early Careers Recruiter during our attraction, assessment and selection process. For example at careers fairs, assessment centres and identification of talent. Retaining overall decision maker for scheme offers.
• Managing the NESO Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account and work closely with finance to monitor levy spend.
• Leading the annual Early Careers Outward Bounds residential across all Early Careers schemes.

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has/is:

• Passionate about developing future talent.
• Experience of working within Early Careers or emerging talent teams.
• Strong experience in managing apprenticeship programmes, preferably in the utilities or related industries.
• In depth knowledge of apprenticeship standards and regulatory frameworks
• Well versed in managing managed service providers (MSPs), including commercial scoping and performance management.
• Highly organised and can support on multiple programme deliverables.
• Strong communicator and stakeholder management skills. 
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, with strong attention to detail and exceptional time management.

About what you'll get

A competitive salary between £49,000 – £52,000pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

About us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

Your energy, our future, together.

About the National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.  

NESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

More information

This role closes on 01/07/2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. 

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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