Graduate Management Trainee

Graduate Management Trainee

Annual salary: up to £35,000.00

Start date: November 2025

Location: London and the South East (Willingness to travel)

Salary: Up to £35,000

Location and travel requirements noted above.

At Mears, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We deliver essential housing repairs and maintenance services that keep homes safe, warm, and comfortable — and we do it with a strong commitment to quality, community, and continuous improvement. Joining us means playing a hands-on role in a business that is changing lives while developing your own skills, experience, and career pathway into leadership.

We are seeking a Graduate Management Trainee to join our Housing Repairs & Maintenance team. This role is designed to fast-track your development, giving you direct exposure to senior leaders, involvement in live projects, and the tools and mentoring to help you step confidently into a management role.

You’ll play a key role in shaping the future of our housing repairs and maintenance service, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and commitment to delivering real improvements for our customers and communities.

About the Role:

As a Graduate Management Trainee at Mears, build a broad understanding of how our housing repairs and maintenance service is delivered. Based within the Kent area, the role will offer you the opportunity to work nationally, gaining valuable insight and understanding of the wider business. You will also be mentored by our Managing Director and supported by a range of experienced professionals to develop in the following areas:

• Strategic Contract Oversight
• Operational Delivery
• Financial acumen
• Leadership and Team Management
• Client & Community Engagement
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Professional Development
• Change Management / transformation
• Procurement and business growth

To accompany your application, please submit a cover letter along with your CV, detailing your skills and why you think you would be suitable for this role.

Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

You will:

• Work alongside our Senior Management Team, contributing to operational planning and decision-making.
• Support live housing maintenance projects, from planning stages through to delivery.
• Assist in managing budgets, resources, and contractor performance.
• Analyse data and produce reports that help identify trends and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with colleagues in customer service, technical, and compliance teams to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
• Participate in service reviews and suggest process improvements.
• Visit sites and housing stock to understand first-hand the operational challenges and successes.
• Develop your leadership skills by shadowing managers and taking ownership of small-scale initiatives.

This role offers variety, responsibility, and the opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on our customers and communities.

Key Criteria:

We’re seeking motivated individuals who are ready to commit to a career in the housing sector. To be considered, you should have:

• A relevant undergraduate degree in one of the following areas: Business Management, Housing Studies, Construction or Facilities Management (or similar) completed within the last 24 months.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Excel, Outlook, and data management systems.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure, balancing multiple priorities.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset with strong attention to detail.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally to different sites when needed.
• Willingness to relocate during the week for longer placement rotations in the second year of programme.

Previous housing, property, or operational experience is beneficial but not essential — we value transferable skills and the right attitude.

Why Join Mears?

From day one, you’ll be part of a company that invests in your growth and believes in promoting from within. Our structured training programme, mentoring support, and varied work will give you the tools you need to succeed. You’ll have the chance to shape services that matter, work in a supportive and collaborative environment, and see the real-world results of your efforts in the communities we serve.

Benefits:

• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Company pension and life insurance
• Excellent training and career development opportunities
• Access to Mears Rewards – offering discounts on retail, leisure, and travel
• Share scheme participation
• Employee support and wellbeing services
• Volunteering leave for community projects
• Annual Mears Fun Day to celebrate your achievements

All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK. Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.

To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be aged over 21, have held your licence for more than 3 months, and have less than 9 points.

Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

Apply below or to discuss your application further; contact: Vickie Rudge (Vickie.Rudge@mearsgroup.co.uk)

If you need any help with your application process, we are here to support you. We will be accessible every step of the way.

At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant and are honoured to have achieved the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to coincide with this. We hold an Endorser Award for the Career Transition Partnership, recognising our commitment to veterans transitioning into civilian careers.

In our continued effort to promote social mobility, we invite applicants to voluntarily share their background information during the application stages to help us better understand the diverse experiences of our candidates. This is to ensure we are committed to improving social mobility. We use the Social Mobility Index to assess and enhance opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. These questions are optional and will not impact your ability to apply.