At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse market trends and competitor strategies to support key business decisions.
- Company: Join Sage, a global leader in AI and finance software with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Structured training, five paid volunteer days, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional networking and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of business software while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business, Economics, Marketing, or related fields; strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.
At Sage, innovation starts with our people. With over 13,000 colleagues across 40 locations worldwide, supporting over 2 million customers, we’re united by a shared purpose: to transform the way millions of businesses work. As a global leader in AI, finance and HR software, we harness cutting‑edge technology and forward‑thinking ideas to simplify complexity and drive progress. You’ll join a high‑achieving culture that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Together, we’re shaping the future of business software.
Why join Sage as a graduate? At Sage, we believe your career should start with opportunity, growth, and purpose. As a graduate, you’ll benefit from structured training and development programmes designed to build your skills and confidence from day one. You’ll also have access to Sage Foundation, our global initiative that gives you five paid volunteer days each year to make a positive impact in your community.
You’ll join exceptional teams where you will have the chance to learn from experts, connect with peers, and grow a global professional network. We’re committed to helping you shape your future, offering clear career pathways and opportunities to innovate and make a real difference.
What will you be involved in? The Graduate Market & Competitor Intelligence Programme is designed for graduates who are curious about markets, competitors, and the forces shaping the business software industry. You’ll join Sage’s Market & Competitor Intelligence function, gathering, analysing and synthesising market, competitor and customer intelligence to support strategic decision‑making across Corporate Strategy, Product Strategy and Go‑To‑Market teams. You’ll work directly on projects that influence executive and board‑level decisions, helping Sage identify market opportunities, competitor threats and emerging industry trends that strengthen our competitive position and accelerate growth.
Please note that this is a hybrid role requiring three days per week in the office.
Key Responsibilities:- Tracking emerging competitors, start‑ups and disruptive business models to spot threats and opportunities early
- Contributing to market opportunity assessments for existing and new markets
- Maintaining competitor profiles covering strategy, products, pricing, partnerships and financial performance
- Monitoring competitor launches, acquisitions, funding rounds and executive changes
- Collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative intelligence from multiple sources
- Building reports and dashboards that communicate market and competitor performance clearly to senior stakeholders
- Exploring how AI and emerging technologies can be used to improve research quality, efficiency and insight generation
- To be eligible for this role, you’ll need a degree (or equivalent qualification) in Business, Economics, Marketing, Finance, Data Analytics, Computer Science, Politics, International Relations or a related discipline.
- Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends and draw meaningful conclusions from multiple information sources
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively
- A proactive, self‑starting attitude and willingness to learn new tools, platforms and techniques
- A curious mindset that embraces change and is genuinely interested in how businesses and markets work
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work effectively with colleagues across different levels and functions
- Experience of using AI tools such as Copilot, Claude or ChatGPT, and an interest in continuous development of AI skills as the technology evolves
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Teams
- Exposure to Power BI, Tableau or other data visualisation tools would be advantageous
- An understanding of SaaS business models, or an interest in financial technology, accounting software or business software markets, would be advantageous
- Experience conducting research projects during university would be advantageous
- Apply online with your CV
- Complete screening, cognitive testing and video interview
- If successful at the video interview stage, you will be invited to attend a final stage assessment
- Successful candidates will join us in October 2026
- Please note that due to the high volume of applications, there may be a delay in our response. We thank you for your patience.
Here at Sage, we are committed to inclusivity for all. If you need adjustments that would support you in the application process, please reach out to us at.
Benefits of working at Sage:25 days holiday +
Market & Competitor Intelligence Graduate-Newcastle employer: Sage
At Sage, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters innovation and growth. Our high-performing culture encourages creativity and collaboration, providing graduates with structured training, mentorship from industry experts, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact through initiatives like the Sage Foundation. With a commitment to employee well-being and a hybrid work model, you'll thrive in an environment that values your contributions and supports your career journey from day one.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Market & Competitor Intelligence Graduate-Newcastle
✨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 Sage 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 Sage. 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 Sage 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 Market & Competitor Intelligence Graduate-Newcastle
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 Sage 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 Sage
✨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 Sage 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 Sage.
✨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 Sage.
