At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our graduate scheme to work on real tech projects and enhance customer experiences.
- Company: Whitbread, the UK's largest hospitality business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £35k, hybrid working, mentoring, and discounts on stays.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities across London and Dunstable.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in digital, data, and technology while shaping the future of hospitality.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree in STEM, data or business-related subject; leadership potential required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Our Data, Digital and Technology Graduate Scheme gives you the opportunity to join the UK’s largest hospitality business and gain hands‑on experience across a range of technology, digital and commercial functions.
Start date: Beginning of September 2026
Salary: Starting at £35k per annum
Location: Chancery Lane (London) and Dunstable (Bedfordshire) – (rotations will be across both locations so you must be able to commute easily to both), hybrid working, minimum 3 days per week in the office.
Application closing date: 9th June at midnight with assessment day on 23rd July.
About Us
Premier Inn is the UK's leading budget hotel chain, with 800+ hotels across the UK and beyond, offering super‑comfy beds, great food and amazing team members. Our parent company, Whitbread, is a FTSE 100 company. Together, we continue to innovate and have big growth plans in the UK and internationally, including Germany and the UAE.
About the Role
As we continue to invest in our technology platforms and evolve our digital capabilities, we’re equally focused on how these power exceptional customer experiences and drive commercial performance. This means understanding not just the technology behind our systems but how we optimise digital journeys, pricing, revenue and sales to support business growth.
Having recently delivered a multi‑year transformation of our reservation systems across more than 900 hotels in the UK and Germany, we’re now building on this to further enhance our digital platforms, data capabilities and guest experience.
During this two‑year programme, you’ll take on a business‑critical role from day one. Through a series of rotations, you’ll work on real projects that span digital, commercial, data and technology, giving you broad exposure to how our business operates. From analysing data and improving digital experiences to contributing to commercial strategy and solving real‑world challenges, you’ll develop both your technical and business skillset.
Alongside your placements, we’ll support your development with mentoring, peer networks and structured learning. On successful completion, you’ll move into a permanent role where you’ll continue building towards becoming a future leader within Whitbread.
We’re proud of our collaborative and inclusive culture, where everyone can thrive. So, whether it’s getting involved in inclusion networks, contributing to key projects or shaping new ideas, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact.
Who We’re Looking For
- This is a highly challenging but hugely rewarding programme designed for graduates who have the desire, motivation and potential to become future leaders within our business.
- 2:1 degree (obtained or on course to achieve) in a STEM, data or business‑related subject.
- Evidence of leadership potential either through work, education or extra‑curricular activities.
- Experience of an internship or placement year is advantageous.
- A strong interest in all things digital and technology with strong analytical and data skills and a problem‑solving mindset.
- A passion for innovation and the desire to work on projects that will improve the digital experience for millions of our guests.
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
- You must be able to work in both our Chancery Lane (London) and Dunstable (Bedfordshire) locations as your placements will be across both offices.
- Must have graduated by beginning of September 2026.
Whitbread welcomes applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK. For our roles, you'll be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the application process and you must maintain and be able to demonstrate your right to work throughout the period of employment. Please note that Whitbread is unable to provide sponsorship for our graduate roles, as they do not meet the eligibility requirements imposed by the Home Office.
What We Offer
- Starting salary of £35,000 per annum
- Rotations across various Digital, Data & Technology roles to develop a strong foundation for a future leadership career in our business.
- Mentoring, peer support and professional development and training.
- A place where you can learn from industry experts and put your knowledge into action right away.
- A range of benefits, including an annual incentive, BUPA healthcare, pension, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Discounts of up to 60% on Premier Inn stays and 25% off at our restaurant brands.
- Access to our Sharesave scheme with a discount on Whitbread shares.
What’s Next
The first step is to submit an application for the programme and if you meet our criteria you’ll be invited to participate in an online assessment which includes a video interview and some games‑based assessments which are designed to evaluate your potential as well as your numerical skills and cognitive ability. Successful applicants will be invited to interview which will take place on 23rd July, where you’ll have the chance to come and get to know us better, showcase your skills throughout a variety of assessments and learn even more about our plans to build the hotels of the future.
Data, Digital & Tech Graduate Scheme employer: Whitbread PLC
Whitbread is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee development through mentoring and structured learning, the Data, Digital & Tech Graduate Scheme provides graduates with hands-on experience across various functions, preparing them for future leadership roles. Located in both London and Dunstable, employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and significant discounts on Premier Inn stays, making it an attractive place to build a rewarding career in the hospitality industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data, Digital & Tech Graduate Scheme
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Whitbread and our values! Research our company culture, recent projects, and future plans. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show us that you're genuinely interested in being part of our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for the online assessments by brushing up on your numerical skills and cognitive abilities. Use practice tests and games to get comfortable with the format, so you can shine when it counts.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. This can give you insider tips and might even lead to a referral, which can boost your chances of landing that interview.
✨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 us that you’re proactive and serious about joining our Data, Digital & Tech Graduate Scheme.
We think you need these skills to ace Data, Digital & Tech Graduate Scheme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Data, Digital & Tech Graduate Scheme. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our innovative projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for technology and digital experiences. Tell us why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you a great fit for our team.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight any analytical or problem-solving skills you have. Whether it's through coursework, internships, or personal projects, we want to see how you've tackled challenges and what you've learned from them.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitbread PLC
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Whitbread's business model and their recent digital transformations. Familiarise yourself with their technology platforms and how they enhance customer experiences. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your skills to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've used data analysis to solve problems or improve processes. Whether it's from your studies, internships, or projects, having concrete examples ready will demonstrate your analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities.
✨Practice Your Communication
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms, as you may need to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your delivery.
✨Be Ready for Real-World Scenarios
Expect to tackle real-world challenges during the interview. Brush up on case studies or scenarios related to digital and data-driven decision-making. This will not only prepare you for potential questions but also showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
