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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Run complex operations, lead teams, and manage projects from day one.
- Company: Join a dynamic service brand transforming high-impact environments across the UK.
- Benefits: Real leadership experience, mentorship, and clear progression into management roles.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while fast-tracking your career in diverse sectors.
- Qualifications: Recent graduates with a curious mindset and a passion for problem-solving.
- Other info: Enjoy hands-on experience and travel across the North region of the UK.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 42000 £ per year.
What you'll be doing:
- Run large complex operations.
- Lead teams to make a real difference.
- Build your future in purpose led sectors.
We're not your average service provider. We're a fully integrated service brand operating in some of the UK's most complex and high-impact environments - from hospitals and defence sites to retail, aerospace and government, supporting global brands. We bring together food services, retail, technology and essential support functions under one smart, connected model to create safer spaces, smarter services and market leading experiences for people and communities.
Think:
- Frictionless, tech-driven retail
- High-quality food and facilities in hospitals
- Defence-grade operations
- Sustainability, innovation and social value at the core
What we do improves safety, efficiency and everyday experiences for staff, communities and customers and we're just getting started.
The Programme: Fast-track your leadership career
Our two-year Operations Graduate Programme is built for people who want responsibility early, variety fast, and progression that actually means something. You'll rotate every 6 months, gaining hands-on experience across sectors like:
- Healthcare
- Aerospace
- Retail & Brands
- Digital Implementation
You won't just observe - you'll run services, lead teams, manage projects and solve real problems from day one.
What you'll actually do:
- Run day-to-day operations on live sites
- Plan and deliver hospitality, retail and support service projects
- Manage stock, budgets and financial performance
- Own health & safety and quality standards
- Work directly with clients and customers
- Lead and motivate teams
You'll work across the North region of the UK, with experiences across high-profile, high-impact environments, including:
- Retail - North of UK: As a Regional Mobilisation Manager across the retail sector, you'll support multiple locations, mobilising new units (partner franchise and proprietary brands) and conversions through planning, operationalising and setting up of all new contracts working with key stakeholders to support in assigning key duties and tracking actions.
- Aerospace - Derby: Step into a Transformation & Client Engagement Manager role for this iconic global brand responsible for facilitating and driving change initiatives. This role acts as a bridge between leadership and operational teams, ensuring that assigned transformation projects are implemented effectively and deliver the intended benefits. Responsible for nurturing and maintaining strong relationships between the business and the clients. This role ensures client needs are understood and met, acting as the primary point of contact for client communications, feedback, and issue resolution.
- Healthcare - Cambridge: The role of Project Manager at this large teaching hospital and research centre in Cambridge will provide hands-on experience of what it takes to deliver safe, compliant, high-performance services where precision, trust and resilience matter most.
- Support Services - Birmingham: See the business from a different angle. You'll work with our Support Services team as Digital Implementation Manager, helping shape our tech-enabled services, using insight, data and digital technologies to influence strategy, innovation and growth. The role is aligned to operations to implement technology to significantly improve efficiency and productivity.
Expect a mix of site-based work, hybrid working and travel across the region so you must have a clean UK driving license and access to your own vehicle.
Learn from the ground up by doing (from day one):
- We don't believe in watching from the side-lines. We believe the best leaders understand how things really work.
- Lead frontline teams and projects
- Learn directly from experienced managers
- Deliver projects that make a visible impact
- Solve real operational challenges
- Work alongside senior leaders
- Understand how decisions on paper affect people on the ground
You'll be supported by:
- A structured learning programme (online + development workshops)
- A dedicated mentor
- A Graduate Programme Manager
- A network of fellow grads going through the journey with you
Where this takes you:
This programme is designed to set you up as a future Operations Manager and launch you into a long-term leadership career. By the end of the 2 year programme, you'll be ready to:
- Lead single or multi-site operations
- Manage complex, multi-service contracts
- Work confidently with senior leaders and clients
- Make smart commercial decisions
- Build high-performing teams
You'll understand how to balance people, performance, safety, commercial outcomes and client relationships - the skills that define great leaders. And yes, career progression is real, with endless opportunities across our business.
What we're looking for:
You don't need a specific degree - just the right mindset. We're looking for potential, not a perfect CV. You are:
- A recent graduate (within the last 2 years), any degree discipline
- Curious, driven, adaptable, and ready to lead
- Interested in operations, people and problem-solving
- Confident, comfortable with change, challenge and relocation
- Organised, proactive and solutions-focused
You must also have:
- The right to work in the UK & Ireland (Our graduates are on permanent contracts from day one, we welcome applications from candidates who have their own right to work within the UK where you can maintain and demonstrate your right to work throughout the duration of your employment)
- The ability to gain DBS and enhanced security clearance
- A clean UK driving license and access to your own vehicle
Ready to get started? If you want a career where no two days are the same, where you'll learn fast, lead early and make a real impact, this is your moment. Click APPLY, upload your CV and answer a few quick questions. We'll guide you through the next steps. Join Compass Group UK & Ireland and start building the future of food, facilities and services.
Operations Graduate in Birmingham employer: Compass Uk & Ireland
Contact Detail:
Compass Uk & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Graduate in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to alumni from your university. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership skills! Whether it's through group projects, volunteering, or part-time jobs, demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate others. Share these experiences during interviews to showcase your readiness for the Operations Graduate Programme.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining us at Compass Group UK & Ireland and ready to take on the challenges of the Operations Graduate Programme.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Graduate in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for operations and leadership.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Graduate Programme. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that align with what we’re looking for, like problem-solving and team leadership.
Show Your Curiosity: We love candidates who are curious and eager to learn. In your application, mention specific areas of operations that excite you and how you plan to contribute to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Uk & Ireland
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into understanding the company’s operations and values. Familiarise yourself with their sectors like healthcare, aerospace, and retail. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Potential
Since this role is all about leading teams and managing projects, prepare examples from your past experiences where you demonstrated leadership. Whether it was a group project at university or a part-time job, highlight how you motivated others and solved problems.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential challenges in operations and how you would tackle them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of projects you might work on, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
