2026 Social Media Industrial Placement

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

With a collective following of over half a million people, National Grid UK’s social media accounts - including LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X – help us to reach, engage and build new audiences.

It takes a range of skills to manage these accounts: story-finding, writing, creativity, video production, photography, data analysis, stakeholder management, employee advocacy, customer service, reputation management, commissioning agencies, working with influencers, competitor analysis and more.

We’re offering an opportunity to gain skills across these areas, through a 12-month Industrial Placement within the National Grid Global Digital Content Team. This placement offers the opportunity to:

• Build real-world experience with a FTSE 100 company
• Help shape how millions of people see and understand an essential and critical industry
• Work alongside social media, web, brand, marketing, creative, media and event specialists in both the UK and US
• Give your fresh perspective and influence our content strategy
• Learn more about each and every business area of National Grid, as we are a centralised team

There may also be opportunity to split your time across social media and brand - supporting marketing initiatives including campaign development and event development / activation.

Our Industrial Placement

Our 12-month Industrial Placement offers you the opportunity to kickstart your career within the energy sector and discover your unique superpower. Throughout your placement, you’ll receive a tailored development programme designed to support your growth and development. This includes a combination of in-person and virtual training sessions led by our development team, as well as access to a range digital learning tools to help further enhance your skills.

Throughout your placement you’ll have opportunity to make connections amongst your cohort as well as regular check ins with a mentor and our Early Careers Team. Day-to-day, your placement manager will provide you access to a variety of on-the-job opportunities where you’ll take on real assignments and projects to make a genuine impact within your respective function. By the end of your placement, you’ll have developed your understanding of our business and the energy sector for your future career.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to be in your penultimate year at University, on track to achieve a minimum 2:2 in any of the following degree disciplines:

- Communications

- Journalism

- Media

- Marketing

- Psychology

- Film

- Design

- Photography

- Video

- Animation

- English

- Creative writing

- Linguistics

- Business

You’ll need to commit to a 12-month Industrial Placement that will begin June 2025 and be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.

You’ll need flexibility to travel to National Grid sites across the UK  to capture social media content throughout your placement as required.

Location

This role is based in National Grid House, Warwick or The Strand, London offering flexible hybrid working, where possible. As part of your role, you'll be required to travel across National Grid sites to capture social media content.

What You'll Get In Return

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Industrial Placement programmes are like no other. You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, providing you with a taster of the opportunities that await you. In addition, you’ll also receive some great rewards and benefits:

• Starting salary of £24,109
• 26 days holiday
• A chance to land a place on our Graduate Programme subject to your performance during your placement.
• Pensions plan, share-option scheme and flexible benefits
• 3 days development training, volunteering opportunities, close mentorship and regular feedback
• Invitation to join Newnet, our new starters network and employee resource group

You’ll gain more than just experience. We believe in nurturing talent and recognising exceptional performance. If you excel during your placement, you may receive an offer to join our Graduate Programme after you successfully complete your degree.

More Information

You can only apply for one Industrial Placement opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our student 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