Graduate HR Specialist - Communications and Employee Experience

Create communications that connect, inform and engage our people and wider audiences.

Build a career with purpose

We are a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. Our work supports the UK's independent nuclear deterrent and wider national-security capabilities through science, engineering, technology and specialist expertise.

Work across Corporate Communications and Employee Experience, building experience in content and campaigns, stakeholder communications, employee engagement, digital channels and audience insight. You will learn how effective communication supports organisational priorities and employee experience.

What you will do

• Create clear, accessible and engaging content for internal and external audiences

• Support communication and engagement campaigns from brief through to evaluation

• Work with stakeholders to shape key messages and select the right communication approach

• Contribute to employee listening and engagement through surveys, events and feedback activity

• Help manage and improve digital communication channels

• Use audience insight, channel data and feedback to assess effectiveness

• Apply brand, accessibility, security and information-handling requirements

• Coordinate activity, approvals and stakeholder updates across multiple priorities

What you will gain

Alongside meaningful work and support from experienced colleagues, you will develop capability in:

• Communication planning, audience segmentation and campaign delivery

• Content creation, editing, storytelling and channel management

• Employee engagement, listening and experience design

• Measurement, evaluation and audience insight

• Stakeholder advising, reputation awareness and communication in a secure environment

Your structured development will include A professional qualification alongside extensive practical experience.

What we are looking for

You do not need to arrive with all the answers. We are looking for curious, collaborative and adaptable graduates who use evidence, communicate professionally and are ready to learn.

• A minimum 2:2 in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Media/Digital Media or Marketing

• You must be able to join AWE in September 2027

• You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance

What you will receive

• £31,000 starting salary

• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays

• A 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off

• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme and access to employee discounts

• A welcome payment and the option of an interest-free £1,000 loan

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

• Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression

• A dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead

• A buddy, typically from an earlier Graduate cohort

• A vibrant Early Careers community and opportunities to join employee networks

• Structured development, mentoring and access to relevant professional learning

How to apply

• Complete an online application

• If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments

• If successful, attend a virtual assessment centre

• Use the available guidance webinars and practice materials to prepare

• If offered a place, complete the required security-clearance stages before joining

Applications open: 2 November 2026. Virtual assessment centres are expected during December 2026 and January 2027.

Inclusion and reasonable adjustments

AWE aims to create workplaces where differences are recognised and celebrated, diverse contributions are encouraged and employees feel able to be themselves. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process, with inclusion information handled in accordance with GDPR.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply for Graduate HR Specialist - Communications and Employee Experience and start building a career that supports people, organisational capability and the UK’s national security mission.