Graduate Development Programme - Cross-Business Leadership

Sanctuary Group; Worcester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing services provider in Worcester is seeking graduates for their Graduate Development Programme. This two-year scheme offers rotations across services and a strong focus on personal and professional development. Candidates should hold a minimum 2:1 degree and possess strong interpersonal skills. The position includes a salary of £28,500, rising to £30,000 post-Year 1, along with various development opportunities and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Pension scheme

25 days leave plus public holidays

Life assurance

Health & wellbeing plans

Discounted products and services

Relocation allowance of £1,500

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Graduating in any degree subject, in final year or graduated in the last two years.
• Need a minimum 2:1 degree.
• Personal skills are important alongside qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Complete four six-month rotational placements across various services.
• Contribute to projects with measurable impact on the business.
• Develop commercial skills and network with other graduates.

Skills

Determined

Adaptable

Commercially astute

Problem-solving skills

Education

2:1 degree

Job description

Overview

Sanctuary is one of the UK's leading providers of housing, care and community services. With around 13,000 employees, we maintain a culture where diversity is valued and talent is nurtured and rewarded.

Graduate Development Programme - Cross-Business Leadership (2 Year Fixed Term Contract)

Worcester based with a balance of home and office working

35 hours per week

£28,500 per annum, rising to £30,000 following the successful completion of Year 1

About the programme

Our Graduate Development Programme offers the perfect blend of personal and professional development to develop to become a leader of the future. Your placements will give you the opportunity to work across our Affordable Housing, Commercial (Care, Students and Sanctuary Support Living) and Corporate Services, providing a holistic view of how Sanctuary operates. You will network with other graduates, build relationships across the entire business, and watch your career grow within a commercially driven organisation.

• We have a comprehensive induction, where you will be introduced to key senior leaders throughout the business and visit a range of our operations across the UK along with meeting our current and past graduates.
• You will complete four six-month rotational placements across our Commercial, Affordable Housing and Corporate Services.
• Developing your commercial skills whilst making an active contribution to the development of our organisation.
• Involvement in projects that will have a measurable impact on the business.

About you

Graduating in any degree subject, you will be in your final year of study, or have finished your studies within the past two years, and you will need a 2:1 degree as a minimum. Remember your personal skills will be just as important as your qualifications and we are interested in your potential and look for graduates who are.

• Determined and focused, a natural at building relationships and inspiring others
• Adaptable with strong problem-solving skills and confident in your own ability
• Commercially astute and have the desire to take us forward as a leader of the future

Learning and Development

The Sanctuary Learning Academy provides effective and high-quality learning opportunities throughout the organisation, supporting our employees to achieve their ambitions and enabling Sanctuary to meet its business objectives. You will also have access to a buddy and mentor.

What will happen after you complete the Graduate Programme?

Upon successful completion of the programme, our Graduates can typically expect to move into senior roles with increased remuneration packages. We therefore enjoy considerably higher retention rates when compared to other graduate schemes.

What can we offer you in return?

As part of our commitment to making Sanctuary a great place to work, we offer extensive development and training opportunities as well as a comprehensive reward and benefits package:

• A pension scheme with matching employer contributions from Sanctuary up to set limits
• 25 days leave (rising to a maximum of 30 days) plus public holidays
• A hybrid working arrangement, with a balance of home and office working
• Life assurance
• Health & wellbeing plans
• Discounted products and services
• Personal advice and counselling
• Family-friendly arrangements
• Tax efficient savings through our Cycle to Work scheme
• Learning and development opportunities
• Access to Employee network groups, including our Parent, Disability and Race equality (REN) networks
• Relocation allowance of £1,500 if moving more than 50 miles
• £28,500 per annum, rising to £30,000 following the successful completion of Year 1

What is the application process?

• Stage 1: Complete an online application form and submit a 60 second video
• Stage 2: Virtual first stage interviews - held via MS Teams
• Stage 3: Assessment Centre held in our Worcester Head Office in early March 2026

Application guidance

As part of your application, you will be asked to submit a 60 second video, showcasing your interests and passion for one or more of the business areas above, alongside completing a number of application questions. Watch our how to guide here - Graduate application video guide. View our website sanctuary-group/graduates to explore values and behaviours important to us and hear from our current and previous graduates about their experiences. We have also attached a guidance video to support uploading your video.

Inclusion and equality

Inclusion is one of our core values. Sanctuary Group encourages and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support our commitment to offering an inclusive environment for our employees and customers. We work closely with the Home Office in order to prevent unlawful working. A basic Disclosure and Barring Service check will be necessary in the event of a successful application which we will pay for. Sanctuary Group is a trading name of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity.

Additional notes

Building Equality and Diversity: Sanctuary Group encourages and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support our commitment to offering an inclusive environment for our employees and customers. We will make adjustments throughout your application process, in line with Sanctuary's Disability Confident employer status.