Project Manager Graduate Programme - 2 Year Fixed Term Contract

Job Introduction

The Project Management Graduate Scheme is a two year programme that is designed to give participants the skills and experience needed to become a successful project manager. Participants will work on real life projects across Southeastern, covering a broad range of topics, in order to develop technical knowledge and hands on practical experience of working on projects. Time will also be spent across the wider Southeastern business, gaining broad knowledge and understanding of how a train operating company works. The two year scheme will be based around four different six month placements.

Where will I work?

The beauty of the graduate programme is that you will have exposure to multiple different projects from across the business. This could be introducing new technology, upgrading a station, or improving our fleet of trains. This means you'll get to spend time right across our organisation, helping you to build your broad understanding of our business. Your time will be spent between working on our sites, in our head office, and working remotely.

Attached to this advert is a candidate experience pack, whereby you can read our past and present grad's experiences working for SE Trains. Additionally please see the video below of how our colleagues feel about working on the railway. 

Role Responsibility

Accountabilities

• Managing and coordinating small projects, or key workstreams within larger projects​

• Owning and upkeeping key project documentation, such as risk registers and scope documents​

• Producing project reports and dashboards, and helping maintain project schedules and milestones​

• Working with suppliers, internal and external stakeholders, to complete tasks ​

• Spending time on location at depots, offices and sites, to work with project team members and track progress​

Skills, experience and knowledge ​

• A bachelor’s degree from a UK university or equivalent; in any discipline, of at least 2:2 grade ​

• A passion for enhancing people’s lives through public transport and putting the customer at the heart of everything we do​

• An ability to lead others, as well as work as part of a team​

• Excellent communication and presentation abilities​

• Good oral and written communication skills​

• Good planning and organisational skills, with an eye for detail​

• Being proactive​

• Critical thinking in order to solve problems and make decisions​​​

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The Ideal Candidate

Is it for me?​

Firstly, the graduate programme is for all candidates that have or are in their final year of an undergraduate degree. Whether you are due to finish your degree this year or graduated 10 years ago it does not matter to us! ​

If you have just finished your studies or have hit a glass ceiling in your current career and you are looking for an exciting opportunity that will bring development opportunities, exposure to working in an exciting industry, and a chance to work in a friendly and collaborative organisation, then this role could be for you. ​

Even though the role is a 2-year programme, throughout your time with us you will be visible to internal opportunities that you consider towards the end of your programme. ​

Some graduate programmes will not offer the same benefits as the full-time permanent employees, NOT US! Once you join you will receive the same benefits as our other new entrants, including free/discounted travel throughout the UK and EUROPE, Final Salary Pension Scheme and 25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays.​

At SE Trains we understand that work-life balance is imperative to a happy and motivated workforce. We have policies to support you through life such as; maternity, paternity, carer/adoption, fertility treatment, menopause & endometriosis, just to name a few! 

If you require flexible working please do inform careers as we are open to the graduate programme taking many forms to ensure opportunities are accessible for all. 

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays). 
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

The rules bit …

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.  

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. There will also be a pre-employment medical.  We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK.

Our 2022 Successes 

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

SE Trains Limited