Graduate- Commercial

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Funded CIPS or RICS

Protected study time

Pension scheme

9-day fortnight

Welcome payment

Interest-free loan

Job summary

Atomic Weapons Establishment is offering a two-year Evolve Graduate Programme in Commercial, starting September 2027, with a starting salary of £31,000 and onsite work at Green Park, Reading, Berkshire. The programme funds either a CIPS or RICS qualification with protected study time, and includes benefits such as a market-leading pension scheme and generous leave.

You will gain exposure to procurement, contract management and commercial strategy across a high-security national programme, with

Qualifications

• 2.2 degree required (or to be gained prior to joining).
• Commercial, financial or business-related background may be advantageous but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to commercial strategies that support organisational objectives and deliver long-term value.
• Support procurement activity and the negotiation, award and management of complex contracts.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with strategic suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Identify, assess and manage commercial risks and opportunities throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Support value-for-money decisions while balancing cost, risk, performance and delivery requirements.
• Use commercial insight, analysis and market intelligence to inform business decisions.
• Apply commercial policy, governance and assurance frameworks to support compliant and robust decisions.
• Use digital tools and emerging technology, including AI-enabled solutions, to improve commercial outcomes.
• Communicate clearly, influence constructively and work confidently across complex stakeholder environments.

Education

2.2 degree required

Job description

Graduate Trainee - Commercial Programme Evolve Graduate Programme Salary £31,000 starting salary plus benefits Location Green Park, Reading, Berkshire - onsite Duration Two years Start date September 2027 Professional study Funded CIPS or RICS qualification with protected study time

About AWE

AWE We are a team of remarkable people delivering an extraordinary mission: keeping the nation safe and secure. Our work includes delivering the next warhead for the UK's nuclear deterrent and advancing nuclear technologies that support national security. As part of AWE, you will contribute to nationally significant programmes, help address complex commercial challenges and support innovative solutions alongside pioneering scientific and technical work.

Programme purpose

The two-year Evolve Graduate Programme will help you build the commercial skills, experience and professional credentials needed for a successful career. You will join a Commercial function supporting one of the UK's most ambitious defence and national security investment programmes, with more than £20 billion being invested in infrastructure, technology and capabilities. From the start, you will contribute to real commercial activities and work alongside experienced professionals, senior leaders, government stakeholders and strategic suppliers. The programme is designed to give you early exposure, meaningful responsibility and structured support as you develop towards future commercial leadership roles.

Key activities and responsibilities

• Contribute to commercial strategies that support organisational objectives and deliver long-term value.
• Support procurement activity and the negotiation, award and management of complex contracts.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with strategic suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Identify, assess and manage commercial risks and opportunities throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Support value-for-money decisions while balancing cost, risk, performance and delivery requirements.
• Use commercial insight, analysis and market intelligence to inform business decisions.
• Apply commercial policy, governance and assurance frameworks to support compliant and robust decisions.
• Use digital tools and emerging technology, including AI-enabled solutions, to improve commercial outcomes.
• Communicate clearly, influence constructively and work confidently across complex stakeholder environments.

Career pathways and professional development

You will gain exposure to a range of commercial disciplines, which may include procurement, contract management, commercial assurance, category management and commercial strategy. This will help you understand your strengths and explore potential career pathways. AWE will fully fund either a Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) qualification and provide protected study time throughout the programme.

Behaviours and qualities

• Proactive: Takes ownership, shows initiative and follows through on commitments.
• Curious: Asks questions, seeks understanding and explores new ideas.
• Growth-oriented: Embraces learning opportunities, feedback and continuous development.
• Adaptable: Responds positively to challenges, change and new ways of working.
• Collaborative: Builds positive relationships and works effectively with others.
• Analytical: Uses evidence and insight to solve problems and make informed decisions.
• Commercially minded: Shows interest in how organisations create value, manage risk and deliver outcomes.
• Communicative: Shares ideas clearly and listens to different perspectives.
• Organised: Manages priorities effectively and pays attention to detail.
• Professional: Demonstrates integrity, accountability and respect for others.

Entry requirements

• You must have or gain a 2.2 degree prior to joining us.
• A commercial, financial or business-related background may be advantageous but is not essential.
• Applications are encouraged from all degree disciplines.
• You must be able to join AWE in September 2027.
• You must be a British National and willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance.

Salary and benefits

• Salary £31,000 starting salary.
• Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression.
• A market-leading contributory pension scheme.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A 9-day working fortnight, meaning you will not work every other Friday.
• A welcome payment and the option of an interest-free £1,000 loan.
• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme, Life Assurance and employee discounts across retail, hospitality and leisure.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

Support and community

• A dedicated Placement Manager throughout the programme.
• A buddy, typically a Graduate from a previous cohort.
• A vibrant Early Careers community with organised and informal social activities.
• Opportunities to join staff-led Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working groups.
• Support from colleagues and management to bring your unique contribution to the work.

Inclusion and reasonable adjustments

AWE aims to create workplaces where differences are recognised and celebrated, diverse contributions are encouraged and employees feel able to be themselves. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process. Any inclusion information provided will be used only to support the application and handled in accordance with GDPR.

Important things you need to know

You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.

The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.

We are recruiting right across the business: from technical roles in engineering, science, manufacturing and industrial work to business roles in areas such as IT, project management/ controls, commercial, human resources and facilities management. We also have our Evolve graduate programme, or you may be interested in an apprenticeship with our award-winning Skills Academy.

What we do is vital to national nuclear security. Keeping our nation, everyone, our environment and everything around us safe and secure is a top priority for us. So, as you would expect, that brings with it a high level of safety and security that you will see across our sites and in how everyone who works here operates.

We are at the start of a once in a generation - possibly two generations - programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent. We will do this while continuing to deliver the Trident programme as well as managing ambitious state-of-the-art capital and construction projects - some of which have never been done before.

We are always looking for high calibre people to join our team, so why not explore the opportunities we currently have on offer. Whatever stage of your career, AWE is an exciting and challenging environment to develop your skills and achieve your potential.