At a Glance
- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience in commercial management and quantity surveying through diverse placements.
- Company: Join HS2, a leading infrastructure project with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible allowances, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic two-year rotational programme with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Learn from industry experts while contributing to a major infrastructure project that shapes the future.
- Qualifications: RICS-accredited degree in Commercial Management or Quantity Surveying required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 31000 € per year.
HS2’s Graduate programmes have been designed to create meaningful opportunities for hands-on experience and broad exposure across the project and within specified discipline areas. Graduates will learn directly from industry experts, gaining valuable insight into real-world practices whilst building their professional network. The programmes offer a range of learning and development opportunities from technical development to core skills development, equipping graduates with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to grow and succeed at HS2 and beyond.
There are eight Commercial graduate opportunities available this year – four based in London and four based in Birmingham. All positions will involve regular travel to various site locations along the HS2 route. Half of these roles will focus on supporting our stations team and the remaining four will support railway systems.
The Commercial graduate programme has been specifically tailored to build capability and competence in various aspects of Commercial Stations and Commercial Systems. It will provide you with experience and exposure to the different aspects through role rotations, ‘on-the-job’ training, technical qualifications and support from technical leads and mentoring.
As a commercial Graduate, there will be a variety of opportunities available within the commercial teams to work with company experts and learn from their experience. Joining HS2 as a Commercial Graduate provides the best opportunity to learn how a commercial function ensures a project as large and complex as HS2 is delivered effectively with value for money in mind and robust governance in place.
The Chief Commercial Office Directorate (CCO) is responsible for overseeing the commercial strategy, commercial contract management and capability for HS2. It leads on all commercial and procurement aspects of HS2 Ltd’s operations with a particular focus on commercial strategy and integration, commercial negotiation, post-contract commercial value management and strategic supplier management, as well as driving cost efficiencies and assuring the whole-life cost model to maintain transparency and alignment with project goals.
The CCO Directorate is responsible for delivery across the full commercial lifecycle, driving value for money, compliance, and effective risk management in commercial activities within HS2 Ltd, the HS2 Programme and its Supply Chain. The Commercial Team play an integral part in the management of all major infrastructure contracts required to deliver the HS2 programme, providing commercial assurance to ensure value for money, managing costs and contractual risk exposure when protecting public funds, supporting effective delivery, whilst complying with relevant standards, funding rules and accountability requirements.
Your Commercial programme will be made up of relevant placement rotations within the Commercial functions of the Directorate. At HS2 we offer a two-year rotational graduate programme, providing opportunities for learning and development across a range of programme-related placements. All graduate programmes are designed to provide enabling, practical experience and exposure to discipline-relevant aspects of the project, alongside discipline-specific technical training.
What you’ll do
- Contract management, change management and project management
- Support on Tender Evaluation processes
- Managing Contract spend and delivering value
- Managing risks, Contractor/Supplier Engagement
- Working closely with the Project Delivery teams
- Actively promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.
About You
Skills:
- We particularly welcome applications from candidates with a RICS-accredited Commercial Management & Quantity Surveying degree
- Planning and organisational skills - the ability to prioritise and deliver day-to-day tasks.
- Prioritisation skills – the ability to coordinate and deliver multiple tasks and responsibilities to agreed time and quality standards
- Data Analysis skills – the ability to review and analyse data, and produce and present documents and reports to a variety of audiences
- Stakeholder engagement skills - the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels
- Communication Skills – the ability to review, convert and communicate technical information into a format that is understood by non-technical audiences in a persuasive and engaging way
- Problem solving – the ability to understand complex issues to carry out problem solving.
- Creative thinking skills – the ability to develop creative ideas to support continuous improvement.
Knowledge:
- 2:2 (or equivalent) in a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying undergraduate or masters degree
- Be willing to work towards a professionally recognised qualification leading to Chartered status under the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- Awareness of how a commercial function supports major infrastructure projects
- Awareness of the standard forms of Construction Contract available in the industry such as NEC.
- IT knowledge including; Word, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalent.
Does HS2 offer sponsorship if I do not have the Right to Work in the UK?
To be eligible to apply for HS2’s 2026 Graduate programmes, all applicants will need to already hold the ongoing Right to Work in the UK, that is not timebound in any way. Due to the nature of our organisation, HS2 are not able to sponsor any applications as we do not hold the required sponsorship license from the UK Home Office and candidates are not allowed to sponsor themselves. We appreciate the Right to Work question can be complex to understand, so if you are unsure of your Right to Work status in the UK, please email us and we will be happy to advise further. Please note, to enable HS2 to comply with UK Home Office policy, Right to Work status will be checked early in the recruitment process.
Graduate programme salaries:
Salaries are currently pending pay review however please see below figures based on 2025:
- London: Basic £26,871 + 15% Flexible allowance = £30,902
- Birmingham: Basic £24,022 + 15% Flexible allowance = £27,625
Please note the rotational placements may vary and are subject to business requirements.
Graduate - Commercial (Stations) in Birmingham employer: HS2
HS2 is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment where graduates can thrive. With a focus on hands-on experience and professional development, employees benefit from tailored training, mentorship from industry experts, and opportunities for meaningful contributions to one of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects. The collaborative culture promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to grow their career in a vibrant city like London or Birmingham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate - Commercial (Stations) in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former HS2 employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a graduate role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for commercial roles and practice your answers. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the industry! During interviews, talk about why you’re excited about working in commercial management and how you can contribute to HS2’s goals. Enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining HS2 and ready to take that next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate - Commercial (Stations) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role you're applying for. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the Commercial Graduate position at HS2. We want to see how you fit into our world!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about commercial management and how your background prepares you for this role. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use examples from your studies or previous work to show how you've developed planning, data analysis, and communication skills. We’re looking for real-world applications!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and stands out in the crowd. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at HS2
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the basics of commercial management and quantity surveying. Brush up on key concepts, especially those related to contract management and risk assessment. This will help you answer technical questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills. Think of specific situations where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or engaged with stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Come prepared with insightful questions about the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of projects you'll be involved in, and how the company promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. This shows your genuine interest in the position.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your communication skills. Focus on explaining complex ideas in simple terms, as this is crucial for engaging with non-technical audiences. The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll feel during the actual interview.
