The Opportunity

Are you passionate about construction, a creative and pragmatic person who wants to earn while you learn? Then why not join Willmott Dixon as a Trainee Design Manager? We are a privately-owned contracting and interior fit-out group with a local regional presence throughout the UK. Founded in 1852, we are family run and dedicated to leaving a positive legacy in our communities and environment. Our passion is to create spectacular outcomes for our customers in the knowledge that our projects have a huge beneficial impact for the UK's economic growth and prosperity.

Furthermore, we are passionate about our people and have a real focus and drive to support their continuous development. We strongly believe that this passion is what differentiates us and has allowed us to enjoy considerable success in recent years, be voted the best big company to work for in 2022 Best Companies Awards and Times Top 50 employers for women 2022 – the highest ranking construction company in the UK

Add to that our numerous other accolades, including three King’s Awards for Enterprise in five years; our industry-leading approach to sustainability (we have been carbon neutral since 2012) - Our overall aim is for our projects to leave the environment in a better state than when we found it. We also have a strong financial position, with 100% UK turnover and no bank borrowings…we believe we truly can offer a career of a lifetime.

What

Recognising that our people are our future, Willmott Dixon has one of the most established and successful Management Trainee programmes in the industry; we have been nurturing, developing and fulfilling potential for over 40 years in this way. Many of our past management trainees are now in a senior leadership role and some of the most talented now sit on the main board!

We are now recruiting a Management Trainee to join our programme in September 2025. You will join our North-West team whose head office is in Oldham but will be working across the North-West of the UK. This programme offers a structured, fast-track route to a career in construction management and gives you the knowledge, qualifications and a chance to join one of the most forward-thinking construction and property companies in the UK.

As a Trainee Design Manager, you will be directly involved in the design and project management of construction projects. Your career is all about managing the design process in relation to producing a set of drawings that a building can be built from. You will do this by working with architects and design consultants to complete the clients brief at the best value.
On successful completion of the training programme you will be promoted into an assistant level role within your chosen discipline and positively supported to complete a professional qualification such as RIBA, CIOB, OR RICS.

Who

We welcome applications from school leavers, college leavers, Skilled Tradespeople and Graduates who are passionate about building a career in construction - A university student studying towards your Degree or to be earlier in your academic journey with the desire to achieve a level 6 education.
In order to get the most out of the Management Trainee programme you will need:

• The competence and drive to work to the highest standards.


• To be analytical and forward-thinking.


• To demonstrate model behaviour that shows respect, helpfulness and collaboration.

Professional Development

As a result of being part of the Management Trainee programme you will gain / be able to:

• A strong understanding of business processes and industry IT systems


• The ability to build effective working relationships


• The ability to make decisions in a timely and appropriate manner


• Reflect regularly on your own experiences and performance, and constantly seek to improve


• Identify your customers’ needs and expectations and strive to deliver them


• Constructively challenge the status quo and seek better alternatives


• Recognise the importance of relationships and build these across the business as well as with external partners


• Take personal responsibility for making things happen


• Find practical ways to overcome barriers


• Manage multiple demands without losing focus or energy

There will be a structured training programme for you to follow, and a mentor will assist with your progress through this. Further training consists of a residential training course provided by the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) where you experience “hands-on” trade skills; for example bricklaying, joinery and painting.

Benefits

As a Management Trainee you will receive:

• Competitive Salary


• Motoring Expenditure Allowance


• Pay for your college / university / vocational study fees


• Incentive Scheme


• Pension


• Laptop and phone (if applicable)


• Training


• Book Allowance


• Day release to study


• Study leave (if applicable)


• Travel Expenses

Above everything else you will be joining a values-based business: our values are at the centre of every activity we undertake. Having the right talent, coupled with the right culture and values, ensures that we have a sustained future and a trusted brand in our respective markets. Above all, we believe we have a purpose beyond profit, a responsibility to leave a positive legacy in our environment and communities.

Next Steps

The application closing date will be the Sunday 8th December 2024; followed by an invitation to the video interview round if successful. The next intake of trainees is due to start in September 2025 with interviews taking place mid February 2025. Please be aware that you may not receive further feedback until applications have been reviewed after the closing date.

We are a disability confident employer.