Graduate Project Manager

Advance your career, join our Graduate Programme - Be The Future!

Being a graduate at Avove isn’t just a job, it’s the beginning of a rewarding career. We’re building a bright and ambitious future, and we want you to be part of it. Join our thriving graduate community and take your next step toward shaping the future of our business.

About our Graduate Programme

Our two-year graduate programme is designed to help you grow, learn, and thrive. You’ll gain hands-on experience, take part in tailored development activities, and be supported by experienced mentors and colleagues. From an induction week to masterclasses, development days, and bespoke training, we’ll help you reach your full potential. We want you to love what you do, learn quickly, broaden your horizons, and make a difference from day one.

We’re looking for a Graduate Project Manager to join our Severn Trent Water Framework.

Location: Derby and surrounding areas - You'll be mainly site based with some office attendance required and some opportunity for home working.

Contract Type: Full time permanent

Salary: Our graduate starting salary is £29,355.00

As a Graduate Project Manager, you’ll help deliver water and wastewater projects that provide essential services to communities, while learning what it takes to successfully manage a project from start to finish.

You’ll work alongside experienced colleagues, spend time in the office and on project sites, and build your knowledge of project delivery, including CDM Regulations and NEC contracts.

Don’t worry if that sounds new to you. We don’t expect you to arrive knowing everything. We’ll support you to learn, build your confidence and take on more responsibility as you grow.

This role is a September 2027 start.

What you’ll be doing:

As a Graduate Project Manager, you’ll get the chance to:

• Experience the full project journey, from early planning and design through to construction and handover.

• Help keep projects organised by supporting plans, programmes, actions and project information.

• Learn how teams manage budgets, costs, risks, changes and project performance.

• Work with different teams across the business and understand how they contribute to successful projects.

• Build relationships with clients, customers, suppliers and other people involved in our projects.

• Get out on site and take part in meetings to see project delivery in action.

• Learn how we keep our projects safe, sustainable, high-quality and compliant.

• Take on more responsibility as your confidence grows, while bringing your own ideas and asking questions along the way.

About you:

We’re looking for someone who is curious, enjoys working with others, communicates well and is excited to learn and take on new challenges. If you’re organised, open to feedback and interested in understanding how projects work, we’ll help you build the knowledge and experience you need.

Your degree can be in any subject, if you’ve completed it, or expect to by summer 2027. A degree related to project management, business, construction or commercial management could be helpful, but it isn’t essential. We’re interested in you, your potential, transferable skills and what you can bring to Avove, not just what you studied. You’ll also need to be happy travelling to project sites and client locations when needed.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa process. Applicants must therefore have, and maintain, an alternative right to work for the duration of employment.

What’s in it for you?

• 24 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Company pension scheme

• Life assurance

• Private GP Helpline & Health Cash Plan

• Avove Discount Scheme

• Family friendly policies

• A selection of lifestyle benefit options

• Financial wellbeing programme

• Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues

• We love to give back so we offer you volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving where we will boost your fundraising.

An inclusive invitation to apply:

We want to build a team that reflects the communities we serve and benefits from different perspectives, ideas and experiences. We know that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you're interested in this role and meet the essential qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply.

You don't need previous experience in water, wastewater or utilities, and we won't expect you to arrive with all the answers. We're interested in your potential, curiosity, problem-solving approach and willingness to learn.

Why join Avove?

At Avove, we’re proud to create an environment where people can build meaningful careers, develop their skills and feel supported to reach their full potential. We invest in training and development, provide opportunities to grow, and are committed to a workplace where safety, wellbeing and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. With a strong focus on supporting our people and their families through a broad range of benefits, Avove is a place where you can feel valued, make a real impact and take the next step in your career with confidence.

About Avove

Avove is a leading infrastructure services provider, delivering critical utility and energy solutions across the UK. With a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, we specialise in the design, maintenance, and renewal of essential infrastructure for water, energy, and telecoms networks. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to long-term investment in training, development, and modern equipment to support our teams in delivering high-quality, reliable services for our clients and communities.

We are an equal opportunities employer

At the heart of what we do is a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate what makes each of us unique and are building a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the application or interview process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can support you.

Ready to apply?

• Apply as soon as you can as we review applications on a rolling basis.

• If you have questions, reach out to us at early.careers@avove.co.uk

• Want to learn more about Avove Early Careers? Visit our pages.

• Need help with your CV or interview prep? Visit our resources.