Sustainability Graduate - Leeds And Northeast - 2027

Ocu Group; Ledston; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU Group is seeking graduates passionate about sustainability to join its 2-year Graduate Programme. You will work within the Sustainability team to embed responsible practices, collect data, monitor KPIs and support initiatives across the business.

You will gain hands-on experience, collaborate with operational teams and stakeholders, and progress responsibilities as you build project management and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

• You must have (or be on track for) a degree in Sustainability or related discipline with a 2:2 minimum.
• Interest in sustainability, ESG and carbon management is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support data collection, reporting, compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with environmental and sustainability reporting and carbon reduction initiatives.
• Contribute to waste management programs, social value projects and KPI monitoring.
• Analyse data, identify trends and support project delivery to improve environmental performance.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders; travel to sites across the region may occur.

Education

Sustainability degree

Environmental Science

Environmental Management

Geography

Climate Change

Ecology

Renewable Energy

Sustainability & Business

Job description

Description

You'll play a key role in supporting OCU's sustainability ambitions and helping the business deliver positive environmental, social and economic outcomes across its operations and projects. Based in the North East, you'll work as part of our Sustainability team, contributing to initiatives that support responsible business practices, reduce environmental impact and create lasting value for the communities we serve.

You'll gain exposure to a broad range of sustainability activities, working closely with operational teams, SHEQ professionals, clients and business stakeholders to help embed sustainable practices across the organisation. You'll support the development, implementation and monitoring of sustainability programmes, assisting with data collection, reporting, compliance and continuous improvement initiatives that contribute to OCU's sustainability objectives.

As part of the role, you'll assist with environmental and sustainability reporting, carbon reduction initiatives, waste management programmes, social value projects and the monitoring of key sustainability performance indicators. You'll help analyse data, identify trends and support the delivery of projects that improve environmental performance, enhance resource efficiency and contribute to net zero and wider sustainability commitments.

The role will involve collaboration with a range of internal and external stakeholders and may include travel to operational and project sites across the region, providing valuable practical experience of how sustainability is integrated into real-world infrastructure and utility projects. As your skills and confidence grow, you'll take on increasing responsibility, develop strong stakeholder engagement and project management skills, and become an important contributor to OCU's sustainability journey.

Perfect for

Graduates who are passionate about sustainability and want to make a positive impact through environmental stewardship, social responsibility and responsible business practices. You'll be inquisitive, proactive and motivated to drive positive change, with strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data, engaging with stakeholders and developing solutions to complex sustainability challenges. You'll be keen to develop your understanding of environmental management, carbon reduction, social value, ESG principles and sustainable business practices while working alongside experienced sustainability professionals and operational teams.

You'll enjoy balancing strategic initiatives with practical implementation, helping to deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes that support communities, protect the environment and contribute to OCU's long-term success.

Entry Requirements

You'll need (or be on track to achieve) a degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Geography, Climate Change, Ecology, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and Business, or a related discipline with a minimum 2:2 classification.

An interest in sustainability, environmental performance, ESG, carbon management or social value through academic projects, placements, internships, volunteering or personal development would be advantageous.

A full UK driving licence would be beneficial due to occasional travel across operational and project sites within the region.

Training Programme

Our 2 year Graduate Programme combines structured training with hands-on experience, giving you real responsibility from day one. You'll learn directly alongside industry experts in a collaborative, supportive environment. We invest in your continuous professional development, giving you the tools, confidence and clear progression path to build a long term career within OCU.

To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing [e-mail].

At OCU Group, we don't just deliver infrastructure - we help power modern life.

As one of the UK's fastest-growing utility and infrastructure businesses, we deliver complex, nationally critical projects across power, energy transition, water, telecoms, and digital infrastructure. Over the last five years, OCU has grown five-fold to a £1.1bn organisation, expanding both organically and through strategic acquisitions across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and India. Our growth is driven by ambitious people, operational excellence, and a commitment to doing things properly. We work on projects that genuinely matter by supporting the UK's energy transition, strengthening essential infrastructure, and helping build more sustainable communities for the future. Whether you're an experienced professional looking to take ownership of major projects and influence delivery at scale, or someone starting your career through an apprenticeship, graduate programme, or placement route, OCU offers real opportunity to grow, develop, and make an impact. We are building a business where high performance, collaboration, innovation, and accountability sit at the centre of our culture. Our people are trusted to lead, encouraged to challenge thinking, and supported to continuously develop their skills and careers. At OCU, you won't just join a growing business, you'll help shape it.

Our Culture & Values At OCU, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We care about safety, lead with integrity, strive to be better every day, make a positive impact, and deliver to grow, together, as One Company United.

Our Commitment to Inclusion At OCU Group, we believe diversity, inclusion, and belonging are fundamental to building stronger teams, better ideas, and a more successful business. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

As part of our commitment to fairness and equality, candidates may be asked to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form during the recruitment process. This information is used for monitoring purposes only and plays no part in hiring decisions.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to offering interviews to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions who meet the essential criteria for the role.