New Generations Graduate Programme 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne

Through Our New Generations Graduate Programme, we invest in the future. We're looking for curious, ambitious graduates with a passion for data, AI, technology, and business management - people who want more than just a typical graduate programme. This is your opportunity to apply your skills in a way that delivers real impact, helping shape decisions, improve experiences, and drive meaningful change across our organisation.

We have opportunities to join our Graduate Programme in the following business areas:

• Finance
• Risk
• Newcastle Strategic Solutions
• Technology & Transformation
• Members, Products, and Branch Network (Building Societies)

Our New Generations Graduate Programme is all about you - your growth, your ideas, and your future. We're not just developing graduates; we're investing in the next generation of leaders who will help shape where we go next. This is a programme where you won't just observe - you'll contribute from the start, gaining exposure to meaningful work and building skills that truly matter. You'll be supported every step of the way, in an environment that values fresh thinking, encourages innovation, and gives you a voice.

This is a structured 24-month programme that combines:

• Hands-on, on-the-job learning
• Workshops and structured development to build your technical and professional skills
• Opportunities to contribute to work that shapes decisions, improves processes and creates value.
• Rotations within your core business area, developing depth of expertise
• Immersions across other parts of the organisation, giving you a full understanding of how we operate and our key priorities
• Peer learning, mentoring and ongoing support

You'll gain a well-rounded experience that builds both depth and breadth, helping you understand not just what we do, but how every part of the organisation connects to deliver for our members. By the end of the programme, you'll have developed strong technical capability, commercial awareness, and the confidence to take the next step in your career. We'll support you in applying for a permanent role within the Society, helping you transition from graduate to valued colleague with a clear future ahead.

We're looking for graduates who are ready to make a difference and bring our behaviours to life:

• Be Curious: You're motivated to learn, ask questions and explore how you can create impact.
• Be Courageous: You're willing to challenge the status quo, share new ideas and step outside your comfort zone to drive improvement and innovation.
• Be Collaborative: You work well with others, value different perspectives and build strong, positive relationships.
• Be Efficient: You look for smarter, simpler ways of doing things - using insight and innovation to improve outcomes.
• Be Accountable: You take ownership of your work, act with integrity and deliver on your commitments.

You will also bring:

• A 2:1 degree or above in a relevant subject completed in the last 3 years, for example:
• Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Computer Science
• IT
• Business Studies
• Economics
• Able to commute to our Cobalt Head Office (near Newcastle Upon Tyne) on a daily basis.

As an inclusive employer and member owned mutual, we aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We believe everyone should feel valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are, we want colleagues to feel this is a place they belong. A place to be you.

Financial:

• Corporate bonus scheme (on target 5%, up to a maximum 10%)
• Pension scheme (up to 9% employer contribution)
• Annual performance related pay reviews
• Colleague mortgage scheme
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Life assurance (4x salary) and income protection
• Access to our financial advisers
• Access to a range of high street and online discounts

Work/Life Balance:

• A 35-hour weekly contract - We are happy to talk flexible working and welcome discussions
• 25 days' annual leave + bank holidays (rises to 30 with length of service)
• The option to buy and sell up to 5 days' holiday
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days' home based)
• Above statutory family leave entitlement - 3 months full pay, 3 months half pay, regardless of gender or route to parenthood

Health and Wellbeing:

• Access to a health cash plan through a Medicash scheme
• Access to an employee assistance programme
• Free onsite gym at our Cobalt head office and access to discounted gyms
• Two paid volunteering days each year
• Cycle to work scheme

Recognising there's no one-size-fits-all approach to recruitment, we're committed to ensuring every candidate has the opportunity to showcase their full potential throughout the recruitment process. We strive to make our processes as accessible as possible, if there are any ways in which we can provide support or make adjustments, we would love to discuss this with you.