Graduate Project Manager 2027

Bright Network; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Share

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Flexible benefits

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Arup is a global consultancy recruiting graduates to support the planning, delivery and governance of major infrastructure programmes. You’ll gain experience across transport, energy, water and public sectors while working with multidisciplinary teams to develop business cases and successful delivery strategies.

We encourage flexible working and provide a comprehensive reward package plus learning opportunities. Eligibility includes full working rights in the UK and recent graduation status.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Project & Programme Management or a related discipline.
• Strong Excel, Word, and data analysis skills.
• Experience in project planning, stakeholder management and reporting.
• Knowledge of Power BI, Primavera P6, and Microsoft Project is desirable.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and time-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the planning and delivery of complex projects and programmes, ensuring governance and performance monitoring.
• Assist in business case development and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
• Contribute to project controls activities, including risk management and reporting.
• Develop procurement and commercial strategies to secure effective routes to market.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Skills

Excel

Word

Project planning

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Research and report writing

Presentation skills

Problem solving

Organisation and time management

Commercial and procurement awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Project & Programme Management or related discipline

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

Job description

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently – it’s essential for creating a sustainable future.

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Globally, each year we recruit hundreds of graduates and students who help us see things differently and solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities.

The opportunity

Our Programme, Project Management and Procurement Advisory teams helps clients successfully plan, deliver and manage major infrastructure and capital investment programmes across the transport, energy, water and public sectors. We work with clients throughout the project lifecycle, providing project and programme management, governance, risk management, business case development and delivery assurance services. We also support clients in developing effective procurement and commercial strategies to help secure the right partners and deliver successful project outcomes.

• Support the planning and delivery of complex projects and programmes, helping clients achieve successful outcomes through effective governance, stakeholder coordination and performance monitoring.
• Assist in the development of business cases, delivery strategies and project management documentation to support informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
• Contribute to project controls activities, including risk management, reporting, programme planning and delivery assurance.
• Support the development of procurement and commercial strategies, helping clients identify the most effective routes to market and delivery approaches.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex client challenges and deliver innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions across a range of sectors.

Is this role right for you?

For this opportunity, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills and attributes: A bachelor’s degree in relevant academic discipline, such as Project & Programme Management; Quantity Surveying and Cost Management.

Skills and experience interested in:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Project planning and coordination
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Stakeholder management
• Research and report writing
• Presentation skills
• Problem solving
• Organisation and time management
• Power BI / data visualisation
• Microsoft Project
• Primavera P6
• Business case development
• Risk management tools
• Commercial and procurement awareness

To be considered for a graduate opportunity, your application must include a copy of your academic transcript and meet the following criteria:

• Full working rights in the country of application
• No more than 12 months of full-time experience in a comparable role
• Recently graduated, or on track to graduate, from your most recent degree, related to your role of choice, before employment starts.

Alongside your degree, we look for the following core attributes:

• Changemakers: A passion for sustainable development and creating a better world is key.
• Innovative minds: We’re looking for critical thinkers who embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo.
• Growth seekers: You have a growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
• Adaptable adventurers: You’re ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.

Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date. Early application is recommended.

Eligibility: Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Therefore, you must ensure that you are eligible to work permanently in the UK without our sponsorship.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling permanent members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We take an approach to flexible working that supports the diversity and wellbeing of our graduates.

We also provide for our permanent members private medical insurance, life assurance, accident insurance and income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Next steps

We've designed our application process to be straightforward and supportive, giving you the opportunity to showcase your skills and potential. Applications are reviewed as they're received, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

The process includes an online application, psychometric testing, application review, case study, interview and offer stage. Our friendly Early Careers team is available throughout the process to answer questions and help you feel confident every step of the way.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. We will do everything we can to support you.

As a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer in the UK, we will strive for one third of all our interview places to be allocated to candidates who have disclosed they are disability confident and best meet the requirements of the role.