2026 Graduate External Affairs Officer, Strategic Infrastructure

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy. 

About The Role

Strategic Infrastructure delivers major strategic UK electricity transmission projects, focused on connecting more clean, low-carbon power to England and Wales. Strategic Infrastructure is a part of National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and is responsible for delivering 17 major new projects to connect more clean, low-carbon power to the transmission network in England and Wales. These projects play a vital part in achieving the UK Government’s ambition of connecting 50GW of offshore wind by 2030. They will be delivered under the regulator’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework. As well as these 17 projects, Strategic Infrastructure will also focus on the early-stage development of other strategic infrastructure that Ofgem has requested.

You’ll be working with the External Affairs Team within Strategic Infrastructure, supporting how we engage with communities affected by our infrastructure projects across Electricity Transmission—including Infrastructure Delivery, Customer Network Development, and Asset Operations. Whether a project is in its early planning stages or already under construction, how we communicate and build relationships with local and regional stakeholders is of paramount importance.

In this role, you’ll work closely with External Affairs Managers, Advisors, and a framework of community relations agencies to support the delivery of community engagement on live projects using a campaign-led approach. This includes developing materials, attending engagement events, and assisting with the organisation and coordination of activities. You’ll also help draft responses to external stakeholders and support the team in attending community liaison groups.

Additionally, you’ll contribute to the development and coordination of a new procurement framework for our community relations agencies. Given the scale and ambition of our infrastructure programme, it’s vital that our partners are equipped to help us meet government targets for Net Zero by 2050. You’ll need to be commercially astute, collaborative, and confident engaging with stakeholders both internally and externally. Strong writing and interpersonal skills, along with a genuine interest in communications, engagement, and contract development, will be key to your success.

Our 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 121 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 Commercial pathway, where you’ll further develop commerciality skills and gain important insight of engineering and electricity to increase your understanding of our business and industry. Dependent upon your role you may complete a formal qualification such as (Chartered Institute of Professional Development) CIPD.

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 superpowered career.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to achieve, or be working towards, a minimum 2:2 in an Environmental Management, Sustainability, Regulation, Communications, Public Relations, Policy or Sociology related degree . It doesn’t matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.

Due to the amount of travel to our site locations, you'll need to currently have a full valid UK driving license or have completed your theory test (and have a practical test booked) at the time of your assessment centre (if your application is progressed) will allow you to drive in the UK. You’ll need flexibility to travel occasionally within role and throughout your graduate development programme rotations

Location

This role is based in National Grid House Warwick but you can also be based in North East or South West if you'd prefer. We offer flexible hybrid working, where possible.

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640
 

Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too: 

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities. 

More Information

You can only apply for one graduate opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our graduate opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process. 

Assessment centres will be held between November - April 2026

National Grid's Graduate & Student 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.

Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas