Early Careers Lead - Fusion & Workforce Innovation

Fusion Energy Base; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary: £51,317

Generous benefits and pension

Flexible working options

Job summary

UKAEA is seeking an Early Careers Specialist to lead the delivery of a high‑quality programme across work experience, summer placements and year-in-industry schemes. You will ensure an excellent participant experience while aligning with the organisation’s future workforce needs.

You will manage budgets, external contracts and partnerships, develop new entry pathways, and drive inclusive, best‑in‑class early careers provision across the fusion sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Substantial knowledge of the early careers sector and vocational training programmes.
• Proven record designing and delivering development programmes and managing early careers schemes.
• Experience of budgets, projects and external contracts.
• Strong knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion and ability to build relationships across the organisation and with partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day delivery and development of an early careers scheme.
• Set operational targets and KPIs, and take responsibility for achieving them.
• Manage and develop the team running the scheme.
• Manage the scheme budget and contribute to wider skills budgeting.
• Develop new entry pathways and opportunities supporting UKAEA’s growth.
• Lead accreditation processes and maintain relationships with relevant institutes.
• Manage external partnerships and contracts delivering strong value.
• Provide guidance on funding opportunities and ensure compliance with funding rules.
• Develop reporting dashboards showing scheme performance.
• Contribute to UKAEA’s Early Careers and Skills strategies and champion equality, diversity and inclusion.

Skills

Programme design

People management

Budget management

Contract management

Equality & diversity

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

CIPD Level 5

Job description

UKAEA is seeking an Early Careers Specialist to lead the delivery of a high‑quality programme across work experience, summer placements and year-in-industry schemes. You will ensure an excellent participant experience while aligning with the organisation’s future workforce needs.

You will manage budgets, external contracts and partnerships, develop new entry pathways, and drive inclusive, best‑in‑class early careers provision across the fusion sector.