2026 Savills Graduate Programme - Forestry

Savills Graduates; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading property consultancy is looking for a Graduate Forester to join their team in York, Lincoln, or Perth starting September 2026. The role offers a salary of £26,000 plus a £1,000 sign-on bonus. Graduates will gain diverse experience in budgeting and operational planning while working closely with clients. Training and career development opportunities are available, making this an exciting career path in the forestry sector.

Benefits

Interest free season ticket loan

Pension Scheme

Training and APC costs covered

25 days annual leave

Employee discounts

Sports activities

Employee Assistance Programme

Discretionary bonus scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and produce work to a high standard.
• Resourceful team worker with a proactive approach.
• Ability to develop lasting relationships with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Gain experience in budgeting, operational planning, and contract organization.
• Develop technical expertise and consultancy skills.
• Engage with a diverse range of clients on various projects.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Time management

Passion for sustainability

Job description

Overview

Role title: Graduate Forester – (September 2026 start)

Salary: £26,000 and £1,000 sign on bonus

Locations: York, Lincoln, Perth

About this role:

Locations available: York, Lincoln and Perth.

The UK Forestry sector continues to see impressive growth due to strong woodland values, high demand for timber and increasing woodland creation targets backed by the need to reduce net carbon emissions. This, combined with the various environmental benefits that woodlands provide, makes the sector a very exciting industry to work and develop a career in.

A Savills forestry graduate will gain wide ranging experience across a multitude of areas including budgeting, operational planning, contract organisation, supervision and liaison with clients and stakeholders. They will gain technical expertise and develop their consultancy skills and industry knowledge through engagement with a diverse range of clients, involving themselves in a variety of projects, listening and learning from others within the office and networking with other Savills teams and offices.

Click here to hear more from one of our Forestry Graduates.

Click here to hear a bit more about the Forestry team.

Training

The Savills forestry graduate pathway is designed to enhance your knowledge of the sector and to help you get the most from the first-hand experience obtained in your role. The programme will also lead you from Associate to Professional Membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. Ongoing on the job training will be provided and supplemented by in-house training courses designed and delivered by the forestry team themselves. Attendance of industry training days and networking events is encouraged and these will be discussed directly with you and your line manager. As a forestry graduate, you will also meet with a mentor at least every 3 months to discuss your personal development.

How you’ll make an impact

• Strong attention to detail and produces work to a high, consistent and accurate standard.
• Resourceful team worker, with a well organised and a proactive approach.
• Ability to develop lasting and effective relationships with key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Strong verbal, numerical and report writing skills
• A team player with leadership potential
• Strategic approach to problem solving
• Excellent time management.
• Highly motivated individual, with a drive for self-development.
• An evident passion for sustainability.
• Computer literate

Ahead of anything else, we look for individualism and diversity in our graduate intake - so it\'s very important at every stage of the selection process that you take the opportunity to show us what you\'re really like. Be honest and above all, be yourself.

Key skills

• Decision Making
• Collaboration
• Building Relationships
• Planning and Organising
• Adaptability
• Resilience

The assessment process for this role

Online Application – Apply via the portal

(CV and Question) – Applications close at 11:59pm on 28 October 2025

Online Assessment – SHL (will be sent on application completion and will need to be completed by 12pm on 29 October 2025)

Screening calls for shortlisted candidates

Assessment Centre & Panel Interview (on same day) – 25 October 2025 in Edinburgh and 27 October 2025 in London. Please note you will only be asked to attend 1 assessment centre date.

Potential virtual/in person interview with local team following the Assessment

Benefits

• Permanent Contract for all graduates, as opposed to a 2 year training contract
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Pension Scheme – Royal London
• Company mobile phone and Laptop
• Training and APC costs covered
• 25 days annual leave
• Employee discounts - save money using our MyRewards on thousands of discounts and offers
• Sports activities (Hockey, Netball, Skiing, Rugby, Football, Cricket, Badminton)
• Employee Assistance Programme – A 24 hour service available to all staff and completely confidential
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• ShareSave - Save As You Earn share option scheme

Career Development

On completion of the two year forestry graduate training programme you will be invited to join the Next Step Programme. This programme will focus on the next stage of your career at Savills and includes sessions on career development, communication skills and business development as well as a Q&A session with a Savills (UK) board director.

Find your place to thrive

Savills is an organisation full of extraordinary individuals. Brilliant people at the forefront of their specialisms, eager to drive progress for themselves, their colleagues and our business as part of a truly inclusive culture.

No matter the role you’re in, we all share one purpose: to help people thrive through places and spaces. This is built into our DNA, shaping the way we behave to deliver the best results. We define it by four key values. We listen, We empower, We challenge, We collaborate.

Right to work in the UK and employment offer

Any employment offer made is contingent on you obtaining and maintaining the right to work and reside legally in the UK. We welcome applications from candidates who have their own right to work within the UK, where you can maintain and demonstrate your right to work throughout the duration of your employment. You will be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the recruitment process.

Savills are unable to sponsor candidates for this role as the Home Office\'s eligibility criteria will not be satisfied.

Use of AI

Applicants are permitted to utilise AI tools to assist in the preparation of their application materials. However, all information submitted must be factually accurate and originate from the applicant\'s own experiences. Content generated by AI should be used solely as a supportive tool and must be thoroughly reviewed and edited to ensure authenticity. All information provided will be evaluated during the interview process. Applications containing inaccuracies, plagiarised material, or content copied from internet sources will be withdrawn from consideration. For internal candidates, such instances may also lead to disciplinary action.