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Job DescriptionHS2’s Graduate programmes have been designed to create meaningful opportunities for hands-on experience and broad exposure across the project and within specified discipline areas.Graduates will learn directly from industry experts, gaining valuable insight into real-world practices whilst building their professional network.The programmes offer a range of learning and development opportunities from technical development to core skills development, equipping graduates with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to grow and succeed at HS2 and beyond.There are eight Commercial graduate opportunities available this year – four based in London and four based in Birmingham. All positions will involve regular travel to various site locations along the HS2 route. Half of these roles will focus on supporting our stations team, and the remaining four will support railway systems.The Commercial graduate programme has been specifically tailored to build capability and competence in various aspects of Commercial Stations and Commercial Systems. It will provide you with experience and exposure to the different aspects through role rotations, ‘on-the-job’ training, technical qualifications and support from technical leads and mentoring.Commercial RoleAs a commercial Graduate, there will be a variety of opportunities available within the commercial teams to work with company experts and learn from their experience.Joining HS2 as a Commercial Graduate provides the best opportunity to learn how a commercial function ensures a project as large and complex as HS2 is delivered effectively with value for money in mind and robust governance in place.The Chief Commercial Office Directorate (CCO) is responsible for overseeing the commercial strategy, commercial contract management, and capability for HS2. It leads on all commercial and procurement aspects of HS2 Ltd’s operations with a particular focus on commercial strategy and integration, commercial negotiation, post-contract commercial value management, and strategic supplier management, as well as driving cost efficiencies and assuring the whole-life cost model to maintain transparency and alignment with project goals.The CCO Directorate is responsible for delivery across the full commercial lifecycle, driving value for money, compliance, and effective risk management in commercial activities within HS2 Ltd, the HS2 Programme, and its Supply Chain.The Commercial Team plays an integral part in the management of all major infrastructure contracts required to deliver the HS2 programme, providing commercial assurance to ensure value for money, managing costs and contractual risk exposure when protecting public funds, supporting effective delivery while complying with relevant standards, funding rules, and accountability requirements.Your Commercial programme will be made up of relevant placement rotations within the Commercial functions of the Directorate.At HS2, we offer a two-year rotational graduate programme, providing opportunities for learning and development across a range of programme-related placements.All graduate programmes are designed to provide enabling, practical experience and exposure to discipline-relevant aspects of the project, alongside discipline-specific technical training.What You’ll DoDependent On Placement Rotations, Accountabilities Will Likely IncludeContract management, change management, and project managementSupport on Tender Evaluation processesManaging Contract spend and delivering valueManaging risks, Contractor/Supplier EngagementWorking closely with the Project Delivery teamsActively promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.SkillsAbout YouWe particularly welcome applications from candidates with a RICS-accredited Commercial Management & Quantity Surveying degreePlanning and organisational skills – the ability to prioritise and deliver day-to-day tasksPrioritisation skills – the ability to coordinate and deliver multiple tasks and responsibilities to agreed time and quality standardsData Analysis skills – the ability to review and analyse data, and produce and present documents and reports to a variety of audiencesStakeholder engagement skills – the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders at all levelsCommunication Skills – the ability to review, convert and communicate technical information into a format that is understood by non-technical audiences in a persuasive and engaging wayProblem solving – the ability to understand complex issues to carry out problem solvingCreative thinking skills – the ability to develop creative ideas to support continuous improvementKnowledge2:2 (or equivalent) in a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying undergraduate or master’s degreeBe willing to work towards a professionally recognised qualification leading to Chartered status under the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)Awareness of how a commercial function supports major infrastructure projectsAwareness of the standard forms of Construction Contract available in the industry such as NEC.IT knowledge including Word, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalentSponsorship InformationTo be eligible to apply for HS2’s 2026 Graduate programmes, all applicants will need to already hold the ongoing Right to Work in the UK, that is not timebound in any way.Due to the nature of our organisation, HS2 is not able to sponsor any applications as we do not hold the required sponsorship license from the UK Home Office, and candidates are not allowed to sponsor themselves.Please note, to enable HS2 to comply with UK Home Office policy, Right to Work status will be checked early in the recruitment process.Graduate Programme SalariesSalaries are currently pending pay review, however, please see below figures based on 2025:London: Basic £26,871 + 15% Flexible allowance = £30,902Birmingham: Basic £24,022 + 15% Flexible allowance = £27,625About UsHigh Speed 2 (HS2 Ltd) will be the UK’s new high speed rail network. As well as improving capacity, the new scheme will shorten journey times between a number of Britain’s major population centres, boost the economy and create thousands of jobs.HS2 Ltd will create a skills legacy and develop a diverse range of talent. We aim to be a leader in EDI practice by creating a safe & inclusive working environment for all our staff – living our values of Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Leadership.In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish, and providing personal and professional development opportunities.HS2 Ltd is also a safety-critical organisation. Employees are required to ensure reasonable care of their own and others’ health and safety by taking personal responsibility for working to our ‘Safe at Heart’ programme principles and following safe working procedures at all times.HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives, and achieves their full potential.
