Waste Management Graduate

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company is seeking graduates for the Waste Management Graduate Programme. The two-year programme offers hands-on operational placements across the Thames Valley Region, with a focus on leadership development in wastewater management. Graduates will gain exposure to high-impact decision-making and receive mentorship to accelerate their career. Additional benefits include a generous holiday plan, performance-related pay, and access to health and well-being resources.

Benefits

26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with service

Generous Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Achieved or working towards a relevant bachelor's or master's degree.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle is required.
• Confidence and adaptability in new environments.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Region and senior leadership in driving strategic priorities.
• Learn to step into a leadership role within the Waste team.
• Monitor performance and ensure compliance at the Reading Sewage Treatment Works.

Skills

Self-motivated

Adaptable mindset

Confidence in new environments

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Construction Management, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Hydrogeology, Chemistry, or STEM related

Job description

Are you ready to play a key role in keeping communities thriving and protecting the environment? At Thames Water, our two-year Learning to Lead Waste Management Graduate Programme gives you the chance to rotate through two hands‑on operational placements, tackling the challenges of collecting and treating millions of litres of wastewater every day.

What you’ll be doing as a Waste Management Graduate

Year 1: Thames Valley Region
Support the Head of Region and senior leadership by driving key initiatives and strategic priorities. Gain frontline exposure, coordination experience, and insight into high‑impact decision‑making while working across functions, for a full view of waste operations.

Year 2: Reading Sewage Treatment Works / Thames Valley site
Learn to step into a leadership role within the Waste team; you will support managing day‑to‑day operations and driving improvements in wastewater treatment. Work with the site team to lead a multi‑skilled team, monitor performance, ensure compliance, and champion operational excellence.

Beyond the Programme
Progress into a frontline leadership role with ownership of operational teams and site performance, or specialise in a technical area depending on your skills and interests.

Across your two‑year journey, you’ll be empowered by dedicated mentors and managers, with opportunities to:

• Accelerate your business and personal growth through real‑world development experiences
• Build essential safety confidence with hands‑on health and safety training
• Make a difference by getting involved in meaningful charity projects and personalised coaching
• Expand your network through mentoring and collaboration with fellow graduates
• Inspire future talent by becoming a STEM ambassador

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is

• Achieved or working towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Construction Management, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology or Hydrogeology, Chemistry, STEM or management related degree
• A full driving licence, access to own vehicle and business travel insurance is required due to travel across your assigned region
• A self‑motivated, adaptable mindset confident in stepping into new environments

What’s in it for you?

• Start Date: September 2026
• Location: Year 1 – Travel required across the Thames Valley Region. Year 2 – Reading Sewage Treatment Works / Thames Water site in the Thames Valley Region
• 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance

Find out more about our Graduate recruitment process here

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.