Graduate - Environment

National Highways; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

Annual leave 26 days increasing to 31

Health & wellbeing schemes

Discounts and cashback

Job summary

National Highways offers an Environment Graduate Programme in Manchester, starting September 2027, with a salary of £30,000. You will work with experienced professionals on projects that protect and enhance the environment around our road network.

You’ll contribute to shaping environmental policy, advising on major schemes, and engaging with stakeholders. The programme blends hands-on learning with mentorship and a clear path to a permanent role, with hybrid working and generous benefits.

Qualifications

• Hold or be on track to achieve before 27th August 2027: an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in an environment or sustainability-focused subject area related to our key areas of work.
• Be able to attend residential induction in Birmingham from 6th–9th September 2027.
• Have the unrestricted Right to Work in the UK for the full duration of the three-year programme.
• Live, or be willing to relocate, within one hour’s travel of the office location and attend the office at least 2 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Shape environmental policy and advise on major schemes.
• Work with stakeholders and explore solutions to real environmental challenges.
• Join an environment-focused team and develop practical skills across key areas.

Skills

Environmental policy

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Critical thinking

Education

Undergraduate degree in environment or sustainability

Job description

Location: Manchester

Connect the country. Shape your future. Start your career journey with us. Ready to make a difference and help shape a greener, more sustainable future? On National Highways' three-year

Environment Graduate

Salary: £30,000

Programme start date: September 2027

Location: Manchester

Connect the country. Shape your future. Start your career journey with us. Ready to make a difference and help shape a greener, more sustainable future? On National Highways' three-year Environment Graduate Programme, you’ll help protect and enhance the built, natural and historic environments around our road network, whilst gaining hands‑on experience on projects that benefit communities and leave a positive legacy.

Working alongside experienced environmental professionals, you’ll contribute to a wide range of work, from shaping environmental policy and advising on major schemes to working with stakeholders and exploring solutions to real environmental challenges.

You’ll learn about our key areas of work and have the opportunity to specialise in areas such as:

• Environmental assessment and design
• Cultural heritage and archaeology
• Ecology
• Noise and air quality management
• Water and carbon management
• Landscape and planning

By the end of the programme, you’ll have built the skills, knowledge and experience to continue your career with us as an environmental specialist and help shape a more sustainable future for our roads and the communities around them.

What You’ll Get In Return

If you're ready to invest in your development and excited to help shape the future of transport, we’ve got your back.

Our graduate programme offers a mix of hands‑on experience, workshops, and real‑world learning. You’ll have a dedicated manager, support from experienced mentors, and flexible work arrangements to help you thrive. You’ll also be part of our Early Careers community, connecting with peers, sharing ideas, and building your network. And when the programme wraps up, we’ll help you land a permanent role in the business.

As well as a competitive salary and plenty of career development support, you’ll also enjoy a fantastic employee benefits package which includes a generous pension scheme, annual leave starting at 26 days (rising to 31 days with service), access to health and wellbeing schemes, discounts and cashback on shopping, going out and more!

What You’ll Need To Succeed

You’ll need to bring a positive mindset, take ownership of your work and be ready to adapt when things change. We’re looking for people who can communicate effectively, work collaboratively and think critically to solve problems. If you’re curious and keen to learn, you’ll be ready to grow with us.

To Be Eligible For Our Graduate Programme, You Must

• Hold or be on track to achieve before 27th August 2027: An undergraduate (BA, BSc) degree at 2:2 or above in an environment or sustainability‑focussed subject area related to our key areas of work (e.g. environmental studies, ecology, environment assessment, environmental design).
• Be able to attend our residential induction in Birmingham from 6th – 9th September 2027.
• Have the unrestricted Right to Work in the UK for the full duration of the three‑year programme. Due to the salary levels of the programme and the permanent role that graduates will transition to at the end of the programme, we cannot offer sponsorship for individuals that don't have the Right to Work in the UK.
• Live, or be willing to relocate, within one hour’s travel of the office location listed on this advert and be able to attend the office at least 2 days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. We are unable to offer relocation support, so please consider carefully how you will meet this requirement before applying.

Your Journey to Joining Us

Assessment Centres will run in January and February 2027, and we’ll let you know soon after whether you’ve been successful.

All offers to the programme are conditional on successfully passing both our pre‑employment checks and programme enrolment process before the programme starts. Pre‑employment checks include Right to Work, references and criminal record/DBS checks. During programme enrolment, we’ll check that your education and qualifications meet the programme entry requirements, working with our training providers and professional body partners where applicable. If we cannot verify the information you provided in your application, or you do not meet the requirements of either process, your offer may be withdrawn.

About Us

Our strategic road network is vital to connecting the country, carrying a third of all traffic and two‑thirds of freight. Every single day, National Highways get millions of people to where they need to be as efficiently and safely as possible along more than 4,500 miles of motorways and major A roads. We bring people together, keep businesses moving and help communities to stay connected.

We’re constantly innovating to stay ahead of the curve in building and operating our roads, investing in both the right projects and the brightest talent to help shape our future. And that's where you come in!

Why You Should Join Us

At National Highways, we believe in building a connected country. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive, collaborative culture where all our people feel empowered, valued and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this.

If you share our values of safety, passion, teamwork, ownership, and integrity, you’ll thrive as part of our team.

Ready to Take the Next Step?