Graduate Programme 2026 – Project Manager (SW Horizons)

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland. Graduate Programme 2026 - Project Manager (SW Horizons) Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our graduate programmes empower you to drive change, tackle real challenges, and shape Scotland’s future. This is more than just a launchpad for your career - it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. As part of our team, you'll play a key role in delivering essential services and infrastructure that help Scotland flourish every day. You'll be joining us at a fascinating time, as we transform into a more agile, innovative organisation that delivers outstanding service, provides great value for money, and works in an environmentally sustainable way that goes beyond Net Zero. Start a career that's built for you, today.

What you’ll do

As a Project Manager Graduate, you'll be embedded in Scottish Water Horizons, supporting the delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure to enable economic growth and sustainability across Scotland. From day one, you'll contribute to projects that support new housing developments, hydrogen production, and data centers. As part of the Scottish Governments Hydrogen Action Plan you will work on supporting the hydrogen economy, investigating sustainable solutions for water use to help drive the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. You'll gain hand-on experience in project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and milestone tracking. You'll work with delivery partners, monitoring progress and reporting to senior managers. You'll also help maintain and improve relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and to a high standard.

Over the three-year programme, you'll rotate through a variety of placements that will grow your knowledge, confidence, and technical skills. With structured training, mentoring, and real-world responsibility, you'll develop into a capable, trusted Project Manager. At the end of the programme, you'll move into a permanent role as a Project Manager, where you'll continue to make a real impact on Scotland’s infrastructure and sustainability.

How does the graduate programme work?

You'll be employed on a permanent contract from Day One, with a starting salary of £33,000. As you progress through the programme and reach key milestones, you'll be rewarded with salary increases that recognise your growth and commitment to ongoing learning. Upon completing the programme, you'll move into a permanent Project Manager role, starting from £44,030. For more details, please visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/graduates.

There is plenty of support. As well as your day-to-day manager, we'll match you up with a mentor who will support and coach you as you go through your programme. You'll have access to both structured and informal training designed to equip you with the skills you need now, and in the future.

What you’ll need

• You’ll have graduated within the last three years (or be on track to graduate this summer) with a degree in a relevant discipline such as Engineering, Project Management, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• We’re looking for a minimum 2:2 classification.
• You’ll need to be passionate about infrastructure, sustainability, and making a positive impact every day.
• An understanding of project delivery and stakeholder engagement is key.
• You should also be someone who works well with others, takes initiative, and brings energy and enthusiasm to every challenge.
• A valid UK driving licence and regular access to a vehicle may be required, as some placements will involve travel to sites across Central Scotland.

In terms of essential requirements? That’s it.

Looking out for you While the work we do is important, it’s not the only thing that matters. That’s why we make sure you have everything you need to find a good work-life balance.

• 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays).
• Buy five more if you need a little extra time.
• Take paid time off to volunteer in your community.
• Family-friendly policies around adoption, maternity, and parental leave.
• Flexible working and operate on a 'Balanced Hybrid' approach, meaning we encourage people to spend half of their time in a Scottish Water location.
• Pension (the 'know-what-youll-get-when-you-retire' kind), as well as life assurance.
• Annual company bonus.
• Access to SW Splash - handy rewards that can save you money on holidays, bills, and shopping.

If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don’t already live here, you'll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.

Candidates should be aware that a valid UK driving licence is required for driving on Scottish Water business and claiming business mileage expenses.

Please note, Scottish Water takes the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy.

Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!).

We're also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause.

We’re very used to making adjustments, so please don’t be afraid to ask.

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.

Working at Scottish Water you'll be making a real difference to the lives of the people and communities in Scotland who rely on the vital water and waste water services we provide.

We offer a broad range of career opportunities and our approach to inclusion and diversity means we can make a real difference together.

Our people are essential to providing our customers with the very best service in communities around Scotland. We're passionate about attracting, developing and retaining the best people who can make a positive difference to our business.