Management Trainee - Planner

Willmott Dixon is looking for bright, ambitious individuals to join our Management Trainee programme in Planning within our Construction Midlands team, working on exciting projects across the East Midlands.

This is more than just a first job in construction, it’s a launch pad for future leaders. Our program gives you real responsibility from day one, structured learning, and the chance to help shape communities through the buildings we deliver.

About the Role
As a Planning Trainee your role is about planning the construction process, from demolition and laying foundations, all the way through to the point when the building is finished and handed over to the customer ready to use. You will do this by gaining an in-depth knowledge of all different types of construction methods and working closely with a number of other construction disciplines.

Our programme will give you a great foundation; you will get exposure to many areas of our business through placements in different disciplines such as Site Management, Estimating and Design Management to develop your understanding of the construction business as a whole and not just your chosen specialism of Planning.

Our management trainee programme is 2 to 5 years in duration (depending upon your entry point) and will give you the chance to earn while you learn and give you valuable work experience alongside part-time study for a level 6 qualification that is paid for by Willmott Dixon. Upon graduation from the programme you will progress into an Assistant Planner role.

Why Willmott Dixon?

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose goes beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations.

We’ve been recently recognised as:

• One of the Top 10 “Big” Companies to Work For (Sunday Times, 2025)


• In the Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality (Times, 2024)


• Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 Best Workplaces (Financial Times, 2025)


• The first major contractor to win a King’s Award for Enterprise in sustainable development

We’ve been running our Management Trainee scheme for over 40 years, with many of our current senior leaders having started out here!

What Makes Our Program Stand Out?

• Earn while you learn – competitive salary with increases as you progress


• No student debt – we cover your tuition fees for part-time study towards a relevant qualification


• Fast-track progression – a proven route into management, with most trainees stepping into Assistant Management roles upon completion


• Real responsibility – you’ll manage live projects, not just shadow others


• Structured rotations – exposure across different functions to broaden your knowledge and skills


• Recognition – opportunities to take part in Trainee Challenges and even win our coveted Trainee of the Year


• Support professional memberships and accreditations i.e - CIOB, RICS etc.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from:

• School and college leavers with A Levels, T Levels or equivalent


• Graduates (construction and non-construction degrees)


• Skilled tradespeople looking to transition into management


• Must hold Level 3 Qualification and above

The ideal candidate will

• Have strong problem-solving and numeracy skills


• Be a good communicator and collaborator


• Show the drive to organise, influence and take responsibility


• Bring curiosity and resilience in a fast-paced environment


• Ideally, have some exposure to construction (work experience, placement or similar)


• Valid driver's license

What You'll Get 

• Competitive salary + annual incentive scheme


• MEA - Motor Expenditure Allowance


• Funded college/university/vocational study fee


• Pension and life assurance


• Laptop and mobile phone


• Travel expenses


• Book allowance


• Training and study leave


• The opportunity to work on flagship projects that make a real difference

Next Steps

Our Management Trainee roles start in September 2026.
- Applications close: 7th December 2025
- Assessment centre: February/March 2026

If you decide to use AI tools to assist with drafting, reviewing, or refining your application, make sure that:

• The content accurately represents your own experiences and qualifications


• You can clearly and confidently explain all aspects of your submission


• Your unique perspective comes through clearly

Should you be shortlisted you'll be asked to answer some questions via video recording. Please be aware feedback may only be available after the closing date.

Inclusion & Flexibility
We embrace diversity and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We also consider flexible and agile working requests.