Employment Seekers

The aim of the OA Employment Department (OAED) is to help serving and former Officers find jobs.  So, whether you are just leaving the Army, Navy or RAF and need help with finding your second career or if you are coming to us later on in life, we are able to help. The Reserve Forces are also welcome to use our services and a high priority is given to reservists who have been called up for active service.

So what does the OAED offer you?

We offer a “bespoke” service to each officer client, adding, for those who are Service Leavers, an extra dimension to their resettlement.   It is never too early to consult us, but we find that the majority of serving Officers get maximum benefit from our full package between six and nine months before they leave the service.   However, we are also ready to provide support and dispassionate advice in complete confidence at any stage of a service career and we encourage officers to contact us well before they take the decision to leave. For those who left the Services some time ago, we can offer an equally tailored package.

We offer all the following services to any officer registered with us:

• Individual Counselling. Your OA Career Consultant (who will have experience of both the service and commercial world) will tailor their advice to your needs.  This will vary from person to person, for example some may be unsure of which sectors to try and enter, some will need help with CVs, whilst others may be looking for networking contacts.   We also guide the officer through an appraisal of what he or she is looking for in the next stage of their working life.
• Networking.  This represents by far the greatest job finding opportunity and 70% of OA clients find their next role through Networking. This is supported by the fact that the majority of jobs (around 80% in many sectors) are not publicly advertised.  We have a unique network of contacts, in a wide range of employment fields. All the contacts are prepared to give advice to ex-officers and Service Leavers. Registering with us offers the potential to link into this influential network and others.
• Employment Symposiums.   Held approximately once every 4 months, OA registrants are invited to attend to hear the experience of other officers, to meet head hunters and to hear about opportunities in a variety of sectors.
• Pick of the Week.  An in-house jobs board focusing on positions particularly suited to officers’ skills.
• Job Finding Website. For former officers, we are able to provide access to the Right Job website. This is the official Careers Transition Partnership website and is used by thousands of employers.
• Getting or Staying In Touch.  We may be able to put you in touch with other clients.  Equally, as an OA client, others may be able to get in touch with you.  You do not have to be an active jobseeker or networker in order to stay on our books, and we can ensure that your details are not given to anyone without your permission.

The OA Employment Team

Laurie Hopkins, Director Employment Department – Specialising as a helicopter pilot, Laurie served for 35 years in the RN, enjoying several command tours. His career culminated in 2000 as a Commodore in the post of Deputy Commander, Surface Flotilla. He then moved to the Insurance industry, initially in an operational management role but latterly as the Managing Director of Inter Group Insurance Services from 2002 until 2008. He assumed the post of Employment Liaison Officer within the MOD in 2008 and took on additional responsibility for the OAED in 2009.

Contact: laurie.hopkins803@mod.uk / 020 7218 1814

Jim Robinson, Career Consultant – After Edinburgh University and Sandhurst, Jim spent five years in the Royal Artillery before joining a leading City recruitment firm, initially as a Consultant and then as a Manager leading the Corporate Finance & Private Equity Practice. He then spent two years at a boutique Executive Search firm focusing on senior level recruitment into Professional Services firms, before joining the OA as a Careers Consultant in 2009.

Contact: j.robinson@officersassociation.org.uk / 020 7808 4169

Fiona Jackson, Career Consultant – Fiona completed a short service commission with the Royal Army Educational Corps and subsequently spent three years in the TA as an intelligence officer with the Royal Artillery. Since then Fiona gained her extensive HR experience in both the commercial sector – working for the UK’s leading retailer John Lewis and a City-based strategic intelligence company; and in not-for-profit as international recruitment officer for the development charity, Voluntary Services Overseas. She joined the OA in November 2010.

Contact: f.jackson@officersassociation.org.uk / 020 7808 4188

Gordon Ross, Career Consultant -  Gordon was invalided out of the Royal Navy in 1994 after 20 years as a helicopter pilot and instructor in the Fleet Air Arm.  He returned to full time education to gain the IPD qualification and then joined the commercial sector as an HR Manager with GKN Westland Aerospace, subsequently becoming Head of HR for 2 companies.  He then did 10 years with the Fire Fighters Charity, initially as the Deputy CEO, before taking over as Chief Executive in 2008.  He joined the OA in March 2011

Contact: g.ross@officersassociation.org.uk / 020 7808 4171 

Dan Savage, Executive Appointments Consultant – Dan has experience of both the regular Army, and the Territorial Army. Post regular service he had a successful stint in Sales and Marketing before leaving to join the RFEA, the OA’s partner charity dealing with employment issues across a wide rank spectrum. Dan joined the OA as the Executive Appointments Consultant at the beginning of 2009.

Contact: d.savage@officersassociation.org.uk / 020 7808 4178

Alexandra Carrington, Client Administrator – Alexandra has been the lynchpin of the OA Employment Department since 1997. She handles all new enquiries and the administration of new registrants with aplomb.

Contact: a.carrington@officersassociation.org.uk / 020 7808 4170

Clare Josey, Client Administrator - Clare joined the OA in Feb 10 after working at the MOD for 15 years. Her main role is to handle the follow-up and ongoing administration of clients as they move into employment. Clare is also a consumate event organiser and assists with all the OA events.

Contact: c.josey@officersassociation.org.uk / 020 7808 4164

How to Register

Just telephone or e-mail Alexandra Carrington. She will ask for a few essential details and arrange an interview with a Career Consultant.   Alternatively, you can contact us through via our enquiry form