Graduate Developer

FORGE HOLIDAY GROUP LTD; England; Hybrid; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in the holiday industry is seeking a Graduate Developer to create scalable software solutions and innovate within a supportive and vibrant team. This hybrid role based in Chester offers a salary of up to £28,000 per annum, excellent benefits including an annual bonus scheme, and a chance for career growth in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Annual Bonus Scheme

33 days’ holiday

Birthday off

Paid volunteering days

Enhanced parental leave

Discounts on stays

On-site gym

Employee savings scheme

Qualifications

• Passion for tech and problem-solving.
• Interest in cutting-edge technologies.
• Academic or commercial experience with SQL, PHP or other object-oriented programming.

Responsibilities

• Build well-crafted, scalable software solutions.
• Own the delivery of software into the business.
• Participate in sprint planning and retrospectives.

Skills

Problem-solving

PHP

MySQL

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Software Development or equivalent

Tools

Laravel

Symfony

CodeIgniter

MySQL

React JS

Job description

Forge Your Future with Us!

Salary: Up to £28,000 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Working Policy: Hybrid - at least 2 days per week in our Chester HQ
Team: Development Team
Reports To: Lead Developer
Closing Date: Monday 8th December

Do you have a passion for tech and a hunger to kickstart your career in software development? Whether you're a fresh graduate or eager for a career change, this is your chance to join a leading force in the holiday industry!

We’re on the lookout for a Graduate Developer

Join our award‑winning Technology Team at The Forge Holiday Group. If you're ready to learn, innovate, and grow alongside some of the brightest tech minds in the North West, this is the opportunity for you!

Why You’ll Love It Here

At Forge, we believe in more than just a job – we offer a springboard into a dynamic tech career, where you'll be supported by a vibrant, inclusive culture, fast‑tracked career progression, and access to a wealth of knowledge and resources. Work with PHP frameworks like Laravel, use cutting‑edge technologies, and learn best‑in‑class DevOps practices. You'll work with the best while building innovative, scalable solutions that make an impact.

What’s In It For You

• Annual Bonus Scheme
• 33 days’ holiday (incl. bank holidays) + extra for long service
• Your birthday off
• 2 paid volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at full pay)
• Discounts on stays with our brands + wellbeing perks
• On‑site gym & parking at Chester HQ (near train station)
• Employee savings scheme & long‑service awards
• Proudly one of only 1,000 B Corp‑certified companies in the UK

About The Graduate Developer Role

As part of our Technology Team, you’ll join one of our dedicated Squads, creating resilient solutions used by both colleagues and customers. You’ll innovate, collaborate, and grow every day.

Responsibilities

• Build well‑crafted, scalable software solutions
• Own the delivery of software into the business
• Participate in sprint planning and retrospectives
• Promote software development best practices
• Collaborate with stakeholders to clarify requirements and resolve issues
• Explore new technologies to solve real‑world business challenges
• Review and enhance colleagues’ code submissions

What We’re Looking For

We’re all about personality and potential. If you’re driven by problem‑solving, love the latest tech trends, and want to work with PHP, MySQL, and frameworks like Laravel, Symfony, or CodeIgniter, we want to hear from you!

To set you up for success, we’re looking for:

• A passion for tech and problem‑solving
• Interest in cutting‑edge technologies
• Academic or commercial experience with SQL, PHP, Java, or other object‑oriented programming
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• A degree in Software Development or equivalent

Nice to Have

• Experience with PHP MVC frameworks (Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter)
• Familiarity with MySQL, React JS, and front‑end technologies like HTML, CSS
• Agile development methodologies (e.g. Scrum)
• Experience with REST APIs, AWS, Docker containers

About You

• Curious, ambitious, and eager to learn new technologies
• A collaborative problem‑solver who enjoys building and improving software
• Detail‑oriented and proactive in finding better ways to do things
• Excited to grow your skills and shape your career in a supportive team

Why Forge Holiday Group

Forge Holiday Group brings together three leading holiday brands – Sykes Holiday Cottages, Forest Holidays, and Bachcare (NZ) – united by one mission: creating brilliant holiday experiences through technology, service, and innovation. With 1,700 colleagues and four values at our core – One Business, Keep It Simple, Grow & Learn, Sustainable Impact – we’re shaping the future of holidays while making a positive impact for our owners, guests, and communities.

We’re committed to diversity and inclusion and encourage you to bring your authentic self. Need adjustments for recruitment? Just ask.

Ready to start your journey with us and build the future of tech? Apply now and grow your career at Forge Holiday Group.