2026 UK Graduate Ports Project Manager Career Path: Transport

MOTT MACDONALD; Croydon; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering consultancy is seeking a Graduate Project Manager to contribute to impactful ports and coastal projects in Croydon. The ideal candidate will engage with clients, handle project planning, and support experienced teams. A recent or upcoming engineering or related degree is essential. Join a purpose-driven firm focused on community improvement and personal growth.

Benefits

Biannual salary reviews

Competitive salary

Contributory pension up to 7%

Flexible benefits scheme

Discounts on travel and utilities

Qualifications

• Eligible candidates must have less than 12 months' relevant experience.
• Must have obtained a bachelor's degree no earlier than 2024.
• Demonstrate genuine interest in Mott MacDonald.

Responsibilities

• Engage with clients, end users, and stakeholders.
• Conduct project programming and financial planning.
• Administer contracts and coordinate design.
• Support and learn from experienced consultants.

Skills

Proactively takes initiative

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Analytical problem-solving

Knowledge of environmental issues

Familiarity with data management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, project management, coastal science, or geography

Job description

Overview

Please note you may only submit one application for our graduate opportunities. Once submitted, changes or new applications cannot be made — unless new vacancies open in the new year.

To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.

Turn your ambition into action—apply now and shape your future with us.

Job Description

Are you ready to shape a better tomorrow? Join us as a Graduate Project Manager and become part of a team that’s passionate about creating meaningful change through Port and Coastal projects that serve communities and protect our planet.

As we continue to grow, we’re looking for talented graduates to join our collaborative and inclusive teams across the UK. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals in technical advisory, design management, and project management, contributing to projects that make a real difference — from transforming public buildings to supporting the transition to net zero.

Why Join Us?

• Purpose-Driven Work: Our projects improve public services and enhance everyday life. We partner with national and local government departments, developers, investors, and infrastructure operators to deliver impactful solutions.
• Supportive Environment: You’ll be part of a caring and empowering culture that values your wellbeing and personal growth. We celebrate achievements and encourage continuous learning.
• Inclusive & Collaborative Teams: Diversity is our strength. We foster a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, and supported.
• Opportunities for Growth: From day one, you’ll be trusted with meaningful responsibilities and supported through a structured development programme.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Graduate Port Project Manager, you’ll contribute to:

• Engaging with clients, end users, statutory bodies, and stakeholders
• Project programming and financial planning
• Feasibility studies and options appraisals
• Contract administration and design coordination
• Building trusted relationships with clients and colleagues
• Supporting and learning from experienced consultants

We have opportunities in Croydon.

Eligibility and Qualifications

To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or are expected to achieve one, in one of the following degree disciplines:

• Any engineering
• Project management
• Coastal science
• Geography

In your application, you should demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald by highlighting relevant experience or interests—such as modules studied, previous work experience, or any research about our company, values, and projects.

We personally review every completed application as our selection process is entirely human-led; we do not use AI tools and expect you not to either. Answer each application question with authenticity to show the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.

We are looking for graduates with the following strengths:

• Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
• Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
• Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
• Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.
• Well-rounded knowledge on wider environmental issues
• Familiarity with data management, analytics and digital technologies

As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working. Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need.

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.

Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in the future.

About your development

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career. From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs. You will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.

You will have the opportunity to make a difference; learn more about Our Purpose and the difference we can make!

Join us, and you’ll get:

• Biannual salary reviews: for the first three years of your career with us, you’ll have biannual salary reviews.
• A competitive salary: in addition to biannual reviews, we will ensure you’re given a salary that matches the current industry standard.
• Contributory pension up to 7% of your salary: support to invest in your future.
• A flexible benefits scheme: manage a range of benefits to suit your needs.

Our social side

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there’s a huge range of fun and exciting things you can get involved in. You’ll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it’s meeting other graduates or joining forces with other staff at our annual sports day. Each office has a sports and social committee for sports, social and charity events. We’re committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage staff to play active roles in the local community. Sports and social committees vary by office, so you can suggest new events or initiatives. As well as events, you’ll have access to discounts on cinema tickets, travel, fashion, utilities and more as part of our company benefits.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.

More about Mott MacDonald

We’re a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs. Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence.