Graduate Planner

Avove; Willenhall; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Willenhall seeks a Graduate Planner for its Graduate Programme starting in September 2026. As part of this role, you will support the delivery team in managing programmes and collaborate with colleagues to enhance planning and infrastructure projects. Ideal candidates will be graduating in 2026 or have recently graduated, possess strong communication skills and a creative mindset. This position offers flexible benefits, a supportive team environment, and opportunities for growth.

Benefits

24 days holiday plus bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Life assurance

Private GP Helpline & Health Cash Plan

Avove Discount Scheme

Family friendly policies

Lifestyle benefit options

Qualifications

• A background in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management is preferred.
• Digitally confident and able to collaborate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery team by managing delivery programmes.
• Learn to develop logic-linked programmes for projects.
• Attend meetings and communicate project status updates.

Skills

Clear communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Creativity

Education

Graduating or graduated in 2026

Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management

Job description

Advance your career, join our Graduate Programme - Be The Future!

Being a graduate at Avove isn’t just a job, it’s the beginning of a rewarding career. We’re building a bright and ambitious future, and we want you to be part of it. Join our thriving graduate community and take your next step toward shaping the future of our business.

About our Graduate Programme

Our two-year graduate programme is designed to help you grow, learn, and thrive. You’ll gain hands‑on experience, take part in tailored development activities, and be supported by experienced mentors and colleagues. From an induction week to masterclasses, development days, and bespoke training, we’ll help you reach your full potential. We want you to love what you do, learn quickly, broaden your horizons, and make a difference from day one.

About the role…

As a Graduate Planner, you’ll play a key role in supporting the delivery team by learning how to develop and manage delivery programmes in line with contractual requirements. You’ll work closely with both client representatives and operational colleagues to help shape efficient delivery plans for standard schemes. This role offers a blend of office‑based work in Birmingham or Derby, occasional site visits, and the flexibility to work from home.

You’ll collaborate with a supportive team and work alongside the Senior Planning Manager to ensure programmes are delivered successfully. This is a great opportunity to build your skills, gain industry experience, and contribute to meaningful infrastructure projects that make a real difference.

This role is a September 2026 start.

What a typical day could look like…

• Learn to develop logic‑linked programmes that cover design, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Create project programmes and reports and extract schedules using customised filters to support the wider project team.
• Monitor progress and highlight any deviations from the baseline programme.
• Attend progress meetings with both internal teams and external stakeholders and build confidence in presenting updates on project status.
• Gain an understanding of how to produce contract deliverables in line with project requirements.
• Identify key risks within the programme and ensure they are clearly communicated and added to the risk register.
• Work closely with the delivery team to understand how programmes support accurate forecasting and project completion.

About you…

We’re looking for graduates who are curious, creative, and ready to collaborate to create change and bring fresh perspectives. You’ll bring insights from your education and life experiences, and we’ll empower you to make a real impact.

You should be graduating in 2026 or already graduated from your degree qualification. You be digitally confident, a clear communicator, and able to collaborate with others while also taking initiative. We value organisation, attention to detail, and a desire to keep learning.

We welcome applicants from a range of degree backgrounds including Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or Project Management. If you’re passionate about planning and infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa process. Applicants must therefore have, and maintain, an alternative right to work for the duration of employment.

What’s in it for you…

We offer a rewarding salary that is tailored to your skills and experience. But that’s not all! We celebrate hard work and give recognition to our colleagues. In addition to this, we understand that one size doesn’t fit all, so everyone has access to a variety of flexible benefits that work for you.

• 24 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Private GP Helpline & Health Cash Plan
• Avove Discount Scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A selection of lifestyle benefit options

Financial wellbeing programme

Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues.

About us…

At Avove, we design, build, and maintain the UK’s utilities infrastructure—helping to keep water flowing, lights on, and people connected. We deliver sustainable engineering solutions and work with leading utility providers including Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Scottish Power, and Northern Ireland Water. We’re proud to be a responsible, agile partner, committed to improving communities and protecting the environment.

We are an equal opportunities employer...

We welcome applications from candidates of all races, genders, disabilities, religions, ages and sexual orientations. Diversity drives innovation, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our Communities of Practice help us stay accountable and keep progressing.

Ready to apply?

Apply as soon as you can as we review applications on a rolling basis.