Graduate External Affairs Officer, Strategic Infrastructure, London

National Grid Plc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Cycle-to-work scheme

Sharesave/Share Incentive Plans

Joining bonus £2,000

Completion bonus £2,400

Accommodation allowance up to £200/mo

Job summary

National Grid plc is launching a Graduate External Affairs Officer program in London. You’ll engage with communities and stakeholders affected by major electricity infrastructure projects, learning how communications and community engagement support project development from planning through delivery.

You’ll develop hands-on experience preparing materials, supporting engagement activities and collaborating with project teams, suppliers and stakeholders to gain commercial and project management

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 in Environmental Management, Sustainability, Communications, Public Relations, Politics, Geography or similar.
• Interest in communications, community engagement and major infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Deliver community engagement and communications activities across projects.
• Prepare clear communications materials explaining complex project information.
• Assist with community meetings, stakeholder events and liaison groups; coordinate communications.
• Support responses to external correspondence and stakeholder inquiries.
• Work with project teams to identify stakeholder and communications requirements.
• Coordinate and manage community relations agencies and other suppliers supporting engagement.
• Contribute to supplier management, procurement and commercial activities; monitor external services quality.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to develop communication and project management skills.

Skills

Communications

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Project management

Education

2:2 degree in Environmental Management or related

Job description

Graduate External Affairs Officer, Strategic Infrastructure, London

About the Position

Strategic Infrastructure is part of National Grid Electricity Transmission and is responsible for delivering major electricity transmission projects across England and Wales. Our work will help connect more clean, low-carbon power to the transmission network and support the UK’s transition to a cleaner energy future. This includes the delivery of major projects through the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, alongside the early-stage development of further strategic infrastructure.

Within Strategic Infrastructure, the External Affairs team helps build and maintain relationships with the communities, stakeholders and organisations affected by major electricity transmission projects. Working alongside project teams and specialist partners, the team delivers engagement and communications activities that help stakeholders understand proposed developments, provide feedback and stay informed throughout the project lifecycle. Their work plays an important role in supporting the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects that will connect more low‑carbon energy to the network and support the UK's transition to net zero.

As a Graduate External Affairs Officer, you'll help us engage openly and effectively with the communities and stakeholders affected by major electricity infrastructure projects. Working alongside experienced external affairs colleagues, you'll develop an understanding of how community engagement and communications support projects from early development and planning through to construction and delivery. You'll gain hands‑on experience preparing communications materials, supporting engagement activities and working with project teams, stakeholders and specialist suppliers, while developing valuable communication, commercial and project management skills.

What You'll Do

You’ll help deliver community engagement and communications activities that support major infrastructure projects.

• Support the planning and delivery of community and stakeholder engagement activities across a range of projects.
• Prepare clear and accessible communications materials that help explain complex project information to a wide range of audiences.
• Assist with community meetings, stakeholder events and liaison groups, helping to coordinate communications and engagement activities.
• Support responses to external correspondence and stakeholder enquiries.
• Work with project teams to identify stakeholder and communications requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Help coordinate and manage community relations agencies and other specialist suppliers that support project engagement activities.
• Contribute to supplier management, procurement and commercial activities, including monitoring the quality of externally delivered services.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders while developing your communication, commercial, stakeholder management and project management skills.

What You'll Need to Apply

You’ll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in Environmental Management, Sustainability, Communications, Public Relations, Politics, Geography or another closely related degree discipline.

It doesn’t matter when you graduated or whether you’re currently studying towards your qualification. We’re looking for graduates with an interest in communications, community engagement and major infrastructure projects. You’ll enjoy turning detailed information into clear and accessible messages, building positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and developing your commercial and project management knowledge. Most importantly, you’ll be eager to learn, contribute ideas and help deliver meaningful engagement that supports the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects.

Please note: Due to the amount of travel required for this role, you must obtain a full, valid UK driving licence no later than 27th August 2027 (at least three months before your start date).

If you progress to the assessment centre stage, you must have passed your driving theory test before attending and be able to provide evidence of this.

You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations in order to carry out the requirments of this role you’ll need to travel to sites, offices and our training centres.

Location

This role is based in Euston Road, London and offers flexible hybrid working, where possible.

To be eligible for this role, you must currently live within a 60-minute driving commute of NW1 3BF and be able to commute from your existing primary residence. Relocation to meet this requirement is not permitted.

As part of your application, you’ll be asked to confirm that you meet this requirement and provide the postcode of your current primary residence. This information will be used to assess your eligibility.

You’ll be expected to attend your contractual office location at least three days per week. Flexibility to travel as required throughout the role and during rotations is also essential.

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £38,472 with annual salary increases throughout the programme.

As a first step in your career within the energy industry, our Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable experience and build a long‑term career with National Grid.

Alongside a tailored development programme designed to power your career at National Grid, you’ll also enjoy a range of fantastic rewards and benefits, including:

• 26 days' annual leave, plus statutory holidays.
• Access to flexible benefits, including cycle‑to‑work and holiday buy/sell schemes.
• The opportunity to participate in our Sharesave and Share Incentive Plans.
• You’ll develop well‑rounded skills through practical experience.
• A £2,000 joining bonus upon starting the programme.
• A £2,400 payment upon successful completion of the programme.
• An accommodation allowance of up to £200 per month as you move around the business during placements.
• Additional annual leave when moving between placements, plus support with relocating your personal belongings.
• Dedicated mentoring, regular feedback, networking opportunities, and volunteering opportunities to support your development.
• A permanent role with National Grid upon successful completion of the programme.

About the Graduate Programme

As you'll be joining our 18‑month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in‑person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 1:1 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to this role is our Engineering pathway and as part of this you’ll develop further key technical skills aligned to your role as well as important learning modules such as working safely. If relevant to your career aspirations, you will be able to access Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) membership and seek support from a National Grid IET mentor to help you secure your chartership.

We believe in the importance of getting as much on‑the‑job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6‑month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18‑month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your career.

About National Grid

National Grid is the UK’s critical energy infrastructure company, operating the electricity network and infrastructure that connects millions of people to the energy they use every day, supporting homes, businesses and communities across England and Wales.

We know the future of energy won't be shaped by what we know today. It will be shaped by what's possible tomorrow. That's why we're investing in the next generation of talent, giving apprentices, undergraduates and graduates the opportunity to learn from experts, gain hands‑on experience and contribute to work that matters from day one.

Are you ready to unlock the power of the possible?

More Information

National Grid's Early Careers opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points‑based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points‑based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

National Grid operates in both the UK and US, with a broad portfolio of energy businesses dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power.

From electricity and gas transmission to advancing clean energy and modernising grids, our work covers every aspect of the energy system.

Our energy flows through absolutely everything we do

Life here at National Grid is more than just our purpose or our values, it’s everything we put into everything we do. It’s our commitment to diversity and inclusion; how we help our employees learn and grow; and how we partner with and support the communities where we live and work. It’s all this, and so much more.

We leverage our collective strengths to do meaningful BIG work so that we can be at the heart of a fair and affordable energy future.

Your salary is reviewed each year against the market for your role, skills, knowledge and experience.

Incentive

Annual performance plan or bonus (depending on your role) rewards your contribution to our success each year.

Retirement

Generous pension plan with company contributions up to 12%.

Private medical insurance for self and family.