Early Careers Data %26 Operations Practitioner

BAE Systems; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company in Preston is seeking an Early Careers Practitioner to ensure compliance in apprenticeship programs. The role involves data management, reporting, and enhancing learner experience. Ideal candidates will have advanced data skills, knowledge of funding regulations, and experience with Management Information Systems. This position offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits including a pension scheme and health plans.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Discounted health and wellbeing benefits

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience with apprenticeships is advantageous.
• Proven experience in leading data analysis and reporting.
• Experience in managing enrolment and learner record processes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to effective compliance of apprenticeship programmes.
• Lead the development of insightful reports and analysis.
• Oversee enrolment and onboarding of Early Careers talent.

Skills

Experience in education funding environment

Advanced data skills

Experience with Management Information Systems

Knowledge of GDPR

Tools

Power BI

Excel

SSRS

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Early Careers Practitioner – Data Performance & Operations

Location: Preston; Lancashire. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: Circa £44,000 depending on experience

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the effective compliance of apprenticeship programmes with funding regulations, quality standards, and audit processes
• Maintain accurate learner and funding data, resolving issues promptly to support reliable reporting
• Lead the development of insightful reports and analysis to inform strategic business decisions
• Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights using tools such as Power BI, Excel, and SSRS
• Oversee enrolment, and onboarding of the Early Careers talent pipeline (i.e. apprentices), ensuring a seamless and positive learner experience
• Monitor enrolment milestones and collaborate with teams to maintain an effective and compliant enrolment
• Provide expert guidance and training to colleagues and partners on funding, compliance, and data management
• Drive continuous improvement by streamlining processes and implementing best practice across Early Careers services

Your skills and experiences

• Experience working in an education funding environment, with practical knowledge of funding rules and compliance requirements; experience with apprenticeships is advantageous
• Advanced data skills, including Excel, with proven experience in leading data analysis, reporting, and implementing data-driven strategies; experience with Power BI, SSRS, and data warehousing is desirable
• Experience working with Management Information Systems to manage enrolment, onboarding, and learner record processes within an education or funded programme environment
• Knowledge of GDPR, data protection, ISO:9001 standards, and auditing processes is desirable

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Early Careers Team

You will be joining the Apprentice Capability Team within Early Careers, working alongside experienced funding and compliance specialists who operate across a variety of funding streams to ensure apprenticeship compliance across the UK. You will be part of a collaborative and dynamic team, contributing your expertise to maintain high standards, streamline processes, and support the growth and success of our Early Careers provision. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact, working in an environment that values innovation, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 17th October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.