Graduate Management Trainee

Mears is hiring a Graduate Management Trainee to support marketing, business development, bid management, and commercial strategy projects within the housing sector while gaining leadership experience through a structured development programme.

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.

You’ll play a key role in shaping the future growth of our business, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and ambition to help us win work, strengthen our brand, and deliver real value for our clients and communities.

Joining Mears means you will have hands-on experience in a business that is changing lives while developing your own skills, experience, and career pathway into leadership.

About the Role:

As a Graduate Management Trainee at Mears, you’ll build a broad understanding of how our organisation grows, competes, and delivers commercial success. Based remotely with regular national travel to meet mentors, visit branches and attend events, you’ll gain hands‑on experience across  the customer journey.

You will sit within the centralised Group Development function, spending time within the Marketing, Business Development, Bid Management, Commercial and Key Account Management teams. As well as significant exposure to the wider business such as Operations, ESG, Finance and the Group leadership team.

You will be supporting the business in targeting and winning major multimillion pound opportunities that directly impact and improve the lives of the people in the communities we serve.

You’ll be mentored by our Group Development Director and supported by experienced professionals as you develop skills in areas such as:

• Marketing Strategy & Brand Positioning

• Campaign planning and execution

• Business Development & pipeline management

• Bid Strategy planning & execution

• Bid Management & Proposal Writing

• Commercial Strategy & Pricing

• Data Analysis & Performance Reporting

• Client Relationship Management

• Governance processes

• Innovation & Service Development

• Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Procurement and Growth Strategy

Role Responsibilities:

• Work closely with our Senior Management Team, contributing to business development planning and strategic decision‑making.

• Support the creation of compelling bid submissions, proposals, and presentations.

• Assist in researching markets, competitors, and emerging opportunities to inform growth strategies.

• Help develop marketing content, campaigns, and materials that strengthen our brand and support client engagement.

• Analyse commercial data and performance metrics to identify trends and support strategic recommendations.

• Collaborate with operational, commercial, and customer‑facing teams to ensure our service offering aligns with client needs.

• Participate in client meetings, networking events, and service reviews to build confidence and communication skills.

• Take ownership of small‑scale initiatives, helping to drive innovation and continuous improvement across the business.

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 ideally in disciplines such as Business Management, Marketing, Accounting, Economics, Law etc and 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.

• A personality that enjoys meeting lots of people, enjoys the peaks and troughs of project work and thrives on winning.

Previous business, marketing, accounting 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 over 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.