Waste Management Graduate Programme

Job description

OverviewAre you ready to play a key role in keeping communities thriving and protecting the environment? At Thames Water, our two-year Learning to Lead Waste Management Graduate Programme gives you the chance to rotate through two hands-on operational placements, tackling the challenges of collecting and treating millions of litres of wastewater every day.

What you'll be doing as a Waste Management GraduateYear 1: North London Region

Support the Head of Region and senior leadership by driving key initiatives and strategic priorities. Gain frontline exposure, coordination experience, and insight into high-impact decision-making while working across functions, for a full view of waste operations.

Year 2: Beckton Sewage Treatment Works/Thames Water sites in East London

Learn to step into a leadership role within the Waste team, you will support managing day-to-day operations and driving improvements in wastewater treatment. Work with the site team to lead a multi-skilled team, monitor performance, ensure compliance, and champion operational excellence.

Beyond the ProgrammeProgress into a frontline leadership role with ownership of operational teams and site performance, or specialise in a technical area depending on your skills and interests.

Across your two‐year journey, you'll be empowered by dedicated mentors and managers, with opportunities to:

Accelerate your business and personal growth through real-world development experiences

Build essential safety confidence with hands‐on health and safety training

Make a difference by getting involved in meaningful charity projects and personalised coaching

Expand your network through mentoring and collaboration with fellow graduates

Inspire future talent by becoming a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics\' ambassador

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you'll need is

Achieved or working towards a bachelor's or master's degree in the following disciplines: Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Construction Management, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology or Hydrogeology, Chemistry, STEM or management related degree

A full driving license, access to own vehicle and business travel insurance is required due to travel across your assigned region

A self-motivated, adaptable mindset confident in stepping into new environments

What's in it for you?

Location: Year 1 - Travel required across the North London region. Year 2 – Beckton Sewage Treatment Works or a Thames Water site in East London

26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)

Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets

Generous Pension Scheme through AON

Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family's health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance

Find out more about our Graduate recruitment process here

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Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

London

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

15-05-2026

Profession type

Management

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English