At a Glance
- Tasks: Support business development and customer acquisition while building relationships with clients.
- Company: Caledonia Group, a growing company with a focus on leadership development.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, performance bonuses, comprehensive training, and clear career progression.
- Other info: Join a supportive team culture with opportunities for growth in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Aberdeen.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in business development and work with well-known UK brands.
- Qualifications: Recent graduates or those starting their journey in business development.
The predicted salary is between 38250 - 46750 £ per year.
Caledonia Group is expanding from its Edinburgh base, building opportunities for driven graduates who want hands-on experience, real development, and a genuine path into leadership. We partner with well-known UK brands spanning telecommunications, energy, charity, food and drink, and lifestyle sectors, running face-to-face campaigns that put businesses directly in front of customers.
Over the coming six to eight weeks, we're gearing up to launch in Glasgow and Aberdeen. Ahead of that, our focus is on building a strong foundation here in Edinburgh. We're hiring now, training people properly, and identifying the standout performers who'll help lead the next stage of our expansion.
If you're a recent graduate with an interest in business development, entrepreneurship, or working directly with people, this is a chance to gain real commercial experience without needing to relocate or wait years to move up. You'll get practical training, work closely with experienced colleagues, and learn firsthand how a business identifies opportunities, builds client relationships, and grows.
The Role
This role is based permanently in our Edinburgh office. You'll be coached by managers who started in the exact same position, learning the ins and outs of business development, client engagement, and the commercial strategy behind how a growing company wins and keeps customers.
Further down the line, you'll have the option to move into one of our new teams as we launch in Glasgow or Aberdeen, but this is entirely optional. Prefer to grow your career in Edinburgh? That route is just as open to you.
Day to Day
- Supporting business development and customer acquisition activity across our partner brands
- Building relationships with prospective and existing customers, and understanding their needs
- Researching growth opportunities and contributing ideas on target markets
- Collaborating with your team to review performance and improve results
- Developing your communication, negotiation, and commercial skills on an ongoing basis
Who We're Looking For
- Recent graduates, or anyone looking to take their first step into business development
- Confident communicators who enjoy engaging with people
- Self-driven individuals with a solid work ethic
- Organised, adaptable, and thrive in a fast-paced, developing environment
- Living in or able to commute to Edinburgh city centre
- Ready to start straight away
What You Get
- Competitive base pay plus performance-related bonuses
- Comprehensive training in business development, commercial strategy, and client representation
- A defined progression path into leadership and management
- Direct experience with brands including BT/EE, British Gas, Oxfam, and Gather
- Optional relocation as we expand into Glasgow and Aberdeen
- A supportive, ambition-driven team culture
Why Caledonia Group
We build our leadership from within. Every manager here started exactly where you would, so the people guiding your training have already done the job themselves. We place real emphasis on commercial awareness and entrepreneurial thinking, so you'll gain first-hand insight into how businesses grow, how teams are built, and what leadership looks like day to day.
Starting now means getting in ahead of a major growth phase, with plenty of scope to progress as we scale.
Ready to Start?
If you're after practical experience, structured training, and a career that grows at your own pace, apply now.
Graduate Business Development Trainee employer: Caledonia Group
Caledonia Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a clear pathway from brand advocate to senior management. Located in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, the company fosters a supportive work culture with personalised coaching from experienced directors and the opportunity for uncapped earnings, making it an ideal environment for ambitious individuals seeking meaningful career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Business Development Trainee
✨Leverage Your Uni's Career Services
If you're looking for a trainee role in business intelligence, don't overlook your university's career services. They often have exclusive internship opportunities and connections with companies like Caledonia Group that are hunting for fresh talent. Swing by, chat with a career advisor, and keep an eye on any events they host!
✨Join Business Intelligence Meetups
Get involved in local business intelligence meetups or online communities! Places like Meetup.com and LinkedIn groups can introduce you to industry professionals who can share insights or even lead you to trainee roles like the one at Caledonia Group. Getting your face out there can make a huge difference.
✨Keep Your Analytics Skills Sharp
Before interviews, brush up on analytics tools and relevant programming languages, like SQL or Python. Being able to talk knowledgeably about these can really set you apart! Maybe even build a small project or two to showcase your skills when you chat with hiring managers.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Finally, don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s a direct line to Caledonia Group and helps make sure your application stands out. Plus, keep an eye on the deadlines, as trainee positions often close quickly!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Business Development Trainee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:In the world of business intelligence, your analytical skills are your golden ticket. Whether it's through coursework, projects, or relevant software you’ve used, make sure to highlight your experience with data analysis tools like Excel, Tableau, or Power BI. We want to see how you've tackled real problems using data!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:As a trainee, your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your motivation for joining Caledonia Group and how this opportunity will help you grow. Share specific examples of your interest in business intelligence and any projects or experiences that showcase your eagerness to learn. We love to see that passion!
Tailor Your CV for BI:When listing your skills on your CV, emphasise anything related to data interpretation or project management. Include any relevant coursework or certifications in analytics or business intelligence if you've got them. If you’ve tackled group projects or case studies, mention them – it's all about showing how you can apply theory to real-world scenarios.
Don’t Forget Soft Skills:While technical skills are essential, don’t downplay your soft skills! Highlight your communication abilities and teamwork experiences, as these are crucial for a role in business intelligence. Given that you'll be working with other teams, show us how you've successfully collaborated in the past – it’s all part of the package!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caledonia Group
✨Brush Up on Your Data Skills
As we're diving into business intelligence, make sure you're comfortable with data analysis tools like Excel, Power BI, or Tableau. Prepare to showcase any relevant coursework or projects where you’ve utilised these tools, as interviewers at Caledonia Group might be keen to see how you handle real data scenarios.
✨Know Your Metrics and KPIs
Familiarise yourself with common business intelligence metrics and key performance indicators. Being able to discuss these concepts in the context of real-world business problems will show your understanding and readiness for the role. It’ll also help us impress those at Caledonia Group.
✨Demonstrate Your Learning Mindset
As a trainee, it's crucial to exhibit your motivation and potential to learn. Be prepared to discuss how you've tackled challenges in your studies or any relevant experiences. Talk about how you’ve gathered insights from failures and what learning methods you find most effective—this aligns perfectly with what traineeship roles are all about.
✨Prepare for a Case Study Challenge
It's quite common in business intelligence interviews to have a case study segment where they'll throw a hypothetical business problem at you. Get ready to analyse data sets and make recommendations based on your findings. Practising this with peers or using mock case studies will give you an edge during your interview with Caledonia Group.
