What this role has to offer

Business Enablers is a graduate campagin for roles within our corporate community. This is a opportunity for those who are looking for a rewarding career in corporate services, and who want to use their skills to help keep the country safe, by providing the vital services that MI5 needs to operate.

Our Business Enablers develop a breadth of experience by undertaking a corporate role and collaborate with a range of business areas. Business Enablers can also go on to specialise in particular areas such as Finance, Legal, Information Management, HR, Project Management, Compliance, Recruitment, Policy, and Data Management. On joining, you will be placed in a corporate post which will typically last for 2-3 years. After that point, you will be able to apply for a range of different roles across MI5.

Starting Salary

£34,414

Our starting salary is £34,414, rising to £37,203 after the first year.

Work Life Balance

Flexible

You can’t take your work home with you, so once you leave the office your time is your own.

Future

Varied Career

After 2 years in your first role, you will have the option to move into one of a range of different business areas, or to specialise in an area that you find most interesting.

Induction and Training

While there is no specific training to prepare you for the Business Enabler role, on joining you will attend MI5's standard induction course, and then further training will depend on the role in which you are placed. This could be classroom-based training, on-the-job-training, or a mixture of the two.

Developing your Career

Once you are settled in your role it's over to you to decide how you would like to develop your career. MI5 will provide plenty of support to help you along the way.

Future

Once you have reached the end of your first corporate posting, you will be able to apply for different roles across the organisation. You might choose to move between departments and experience a broad range of work, or you might choose to specialise in one area of corporate services, such as Finance, HR or Recruitment.

Case Study

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Ash - Analytical Skills Trainer

For my first post as a Business Enabler, I was assigned to the Analysis Skills Training Team. The area I joined was seeking to improve productivity and resource efficiency using digital learning for Analysts and Investigators, as well as for the trainers who delivered the learning essentials. Although I hadn’t used software to create packages prior to joining the organisation, I quickly became familiar with it through a variety of support resources including other teams, videos, and my own research. The team heavily encouraged my creativity throughout the project alongside use of my own initiative and judgement enabling me to deliver work to a high standard. Throughout the project, I worked closely with other teams who increased my understanding of the organisation and depth of opportunities on offer. Engaging with these people impacted on my stream of work as it meant I could shape my day-to-day responsibilities around my interests and strengths.

David - Media and Engagement Officer

I applied to the organisation whilst still at university, and at the time, I thought the chances of me getting in were quite low. I was under the impression that the people that worked here had to be from specific backgrounds. That impression has changed significantly, and it is good to see so many people from different circumstances and walks of life. My team has been very supportive during my first steps into the organisation, and I have never felt like I couldn’t ask someone for help or advice. 

My posting is currently in Media and Engagement. With responsibility for promoting the organisation’s job vacancies to prospective candidates. Projects have included designing job adverts for graduates and bespoke roles, as well as creating video and media content for sponsorships for these recruitment campaigns. There are also opportunities to job shadow others in different parts of the organisation, and assist in teams outside of your own remit.

Amelia - Resourcing Staff Officer

Having worked in a corporate role for just over a year before I joined the organisation, I felt as though I had an idea of what a business enabler role would look like. However, upon joining the organisation, I was surprised by the sheer number of roles across the organisation that existed for business enablers. In my role as Resourcing Staff Officer, I enjoy the autonomy I have been given in developing and shaping my job. In my first year, I have been given the opportunity to engage with teams across the business and get involved in a range of different projects. My team have always been on hand to help, offer advice and support me through my first year in a new job. Support also comes in the form of training, from courses specific to my role as well as skills that are useful across the organisation.

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What we are looking for

To apply you'll need to have, or be expecting, a 2:2 degree in any discipline or have work experience where you’ve developed the skills and qualities required for the role. It takes people from a variety of backgrounds to help us tackle the threats that we face and MI5 is committed to reflect the society we protect, for this reason our Business Enablers come from all walks of life. What they share are strong organisational skills, an eye for detail and the ability to work flexibly. Alongside this you'll be good at building relationships with a variety of people and will be a strong communicator.

Application Process

We run a transparent process that can last between nine to twelve months, we've outlined below what you can expect during this process.

Application Stage

This involves eligibility, motivation and competency application forms, and a situational judgement test, that will ask you to make decisions regarding a number of work specific scenarios

Telephone Interview

The telephone interview will test your motivation and include some competency questions

Assessment Centre

This will consist of a motivation and competency interview, two role-plays and a written assessment

Final Selection Board

Following the assessment centre, you may be invited to attend a final selection board; this will be based on your performance throughout the process

Our Other Programmes

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Intelligence Officer Development Programme (IODP)

As the country faces increased threats to national security, a role as an Intelligence Officer gives you the opportunity to have a tangible impact on the security of the UK. 

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Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme (I&DADP)

Our Intelligence and Data Analysts use advanced data analytical techniques that place them at the heart of MI5's investigations.

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Technology Graduate Development Programme (TGDP)

Our Technology Graduate Development Programme offers an exciting opportunity to work in a unique and stimulating environment, where technology plays a crucial and increasingly frontline role.