Commercial Graduate

First Bus Central Services; Greater London; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Cycle to work

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Discounted travel for family

Employee assistance program

Job summary

First Bus is offering a two-year Commercial Graduate Programme designed to develop future leaders in commercial, operations, finance, engineering and people teams. You will gain hands-on experience across Local Bus Businesses, with exposure to data, performance and customer insight to identify opportunities and drive improvements.

Programme includes graduate learning events, mentor support, and potential PCV licence experience, with progression to first-line management after completion.

Qualifications

• Degree with 2:1 or above (achieved in 2025 or 2026).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Passion for customer service and delivering a positive passenger experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in two-year Commercial Graduate Programme and graduate learning events.
• Develop commercial understanding by working with customers, services and commercial decisions.

Skills

Leadership potential

Problem solving

Customer service

Communication

Resilience

Right to work in UK

Education

2:1 degree (2025/2026)

Any discipline degree

Job description

About First Bus

Are you ready to advance your career with one of the UK's leading bus operators? Join a forward-thinking company that embraces cutting-edge bus technology, from innovative mobile apps to environmentally friendly vehicles. We are passionate about delivering passenger journeys that are sustainable, comfortable, and efficient. We are at the forefront of innovation in the industry, connecting communities and shaping the future of public transport. During our two-year Commercial Graduate Programme, you’ll develop the skills and experience needed to build a successful career in the commercial side of our business. You’ll gain an understanding of how we work with our customers, manage our services and make commercial decisions that support the success of our operating businesses. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues across our Commercial, Operations, Finance, Engineering and People teams, developing a broad understanding of how these functions work together to deliver an effective public transport service. Throughout the programme, you’ll gain hands‑on experience of our Local Bus Businesses, supporting commercial activity and learning how data, performance and customer insight can be used to identify opportunities, solve problems and drive continuous improvement. You’ll also develop your understanding of the challenges facing the public transport industry, working with colleagues to improve service performance, support business priorities and deliver a positive experience for our customers and communities. How will the programme help you develop? You’ll receive plenty of support throughout your journey, including a buddy, a mentor and dedicated managers who are invested in your development. Our development programme is designed to give you the knowledge, skills and experience needed to become an effective manager and future leader. This will include: Four two‑day graduate learning events, helping you develop your professional skills and build relationships with fellow graduates. Regular learning sessions with subject matter experts, broadening your understanding of our business, strategy and the public transport industry. Study support towards a PRINCE2 qualification, strengthening your project management knowledge and skills. We also believe that great operational leaders need to understand the experiences of the colleagues and customers they support. You’ll therefore have the opportunity to gain your Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving licence and spend time in customer‑facing service roles, building a first‑hand understanding of our operations and the passenger experience. At the end of the two-year programme, you’ll be expected to move into a first‑line management role within the business, with a clear development pathway towards becoming an Operations Manager.

About you

We’re looking for people who are enthusiastic about leadership, enjoy solving problems and want to make a difference.

You’ll need:

• A degree in any discipline, with a 2:1 or above, achieved in 2025 or 2026.
• A full UK driving licence.
• A passion for customer service and delivering a positive passenger experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Resilience and a positive approach to learning and development.
• The right to work in the UK.
• Previous work experience is desirable but not essential.

Application process

Our recruitment process is designed to help us understand your strengths, potential and suitability for the programme.

• Online assessment – You’ll complete an online assessment through Arctic Shores, using interactive, game‑based exercises to help us understand your behavioural strengths and potential.
• Microsoft Teams video interview – You’ll be invited to a video interview via Microsoft Teams, where we’ll learn more about your motivation for joining First Bus, your skills and your interest in the programme.
• Assessment centre – You’ll take part in an assessment centre, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your strengths, problem‑solving skills and potential to succeed on the programme.
• A final‑stage interview may also follow the assessment centre.

Salary

Competitive

The closing date for applications is Friday 27 November. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than advertised should we receive a high volume of applications.

Rewards

Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise.

• Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• Up to 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares

Equal Opportunities

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities, and people. We welcome applications from all. We are always looking for skilled and talented people to join us across our sixty plus depots from Aberdeen to Truro. It takes a dedicated team of specialists and professionals over just about every type of role you can think of to keep us on the road and creating amazing passenger journeys. We’ve embarked on a journey of major transformation – to make sure we put our people and customers first. Our people are the beating heart of First Bus. Without them, there would be no drivers to take customers to where they need to go and no engineers to keep our buses safely on the road.