Trainee Site Manager - Graduate Programme (National)

Stepnell; Rugby; On-site; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional construction company in the UK is offering an exciting Trainee Site Manager position as part of a 2-year graduate programme. The role involves working directly on-site, managing construction projects, and coordinating teams. This position offers a competitive salary of £31,000 along with 25 days' holiday and a contributory pension scheme. Ideal for motivated individuals eager to kickstart their career in site management within a leading firm known for developing talent.

Benefits

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Professional training, including CSCS card and Health & Safety certifications

Qualifications

• Motivated individuals looking to start their career in construction management.
• Potential to learn site management principles and health, safety compliance.
• Genuine eagerness to gain hands-on experience on live projects.

Responsibilities

• Support existing site management for project delivery.
• Coordinate subcontractors and manage materials.
• Monitor progress and conduct safety inspections.

Skills

Liaising with clients

Supervising construction workers

Monitoring build costs

Conducting quality inspections

Using project management software

Education

Relevant degree in construction or management

Tools

Construction project management software

Job description

Are you ready to begin an exciting 2-year graduate programme in Site/Construction Management with a company that empowers you to learn, grow, and excel?

Stepnell, a respected regional contractor delivering projects up to £30 million, is offering fantastic graduate opportunities for motivated individuals looking to start their journey in the construction and commercial management profession.

You’ll join supportive regional teams and work alongside experienced Site Management, gaining hands‑on experience on live construction projects from day one. At Stepnell, we don’t just build projects – we build people.

What You’ll Do

As a Trainee Site Manager, you’ll be based 100% on live construction sites, learning how to support the safe and successful delivery of projects. You’ll gain experience in key site management duties such as:

• Liaising with clients and updating staff and stakeholders on project progress
• Supervising construction workers and coordinating subcontractors
• Ordering and managing materials for each phase of the project
• Monitoring build costs, schedules, and progress
• Conducting quality and safety inspections
• Reviewing site reports, drawings, and design information
• Maintaining robust quality control processes
• Motivating the site workforce and supporting team coordination
• Identifying and resolving day‑to‑day site issues
• Using specialist construction and project management software
• Working on‑site in all weather conditions and environments

What You’ll Learn

• Core site management principles and procedures
• Health, safety, and environmental compliance
• Practical application of your studies on live projects
• Construction planning, sequencing, and progress monitoring
• How to manage subcontractors, labour, and site resources
• Understanding of building regulations and industry standards
• Leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills essential for running a site

Where You’ll Work

You’ll work from one as part of our regional teams: Eastleigh (South Coast), Bristol (South West), Rugby (Warwickshire/Northamptonshire), or Nottingham (East Midlands), supporting projects throughout the regional patch.

Why

At Stepnell, you’ll work on real projects with genuine responsibility, gaining hands‑on experience that truly matters. You’ll learn from experienced professionals who are committed to mentoring and supporting your development, with clear career progression opportunities from placement to graduate and eventually into management roles. As a supportive team, we’re dedicated to helping you thrive.

You’ll receive a competitive salary of £31,000, 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, a contributory pension scheme, and access to valuable professional training, including your CSCS card and Health & Safety certifications.

Training & Development

• Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card
• Relevant Health & Safety Certificates
• Structured training programmes
• Trainee Site Manager
• Site Manager
• Senior Site Manager
• Project Manager
• Contracts Manager
• Regional Manager

What Happens Next

• Initial Screening – up to 31st January 2026
  Applications will be reviewed by our Training Manager, who will shortlist candidates for the next stage.
• Telephone Interviews – December 2025 to February 2026
  Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a telephone interview with a member of our team.
• Face‑to‑Face Interviews – February to March 2026
  Candidates progressing from the telephone stage will be invited to attend in‑person interviews with our regional teams.

Timeline for a Response - due to the expected high volume of applications, updates on the outcome of the initial screening will be provided within 8 weeks.

Closing Date

31 January 2026
Early applications are encouraged.

Stepnell is where your career in construction begins. Apply now to gain experience, skills, and a head start in your professional journey.

Why Stepnell

At Stepnell, we’re passionate about empowering our people to thrive. We believe in building fulfilling and rewarding careers by investing in talent, nurturing growth, and inspiring innovation. With the prestigious Investors in People Gold accreditation, we’re proud to place our people at the heart of everything we do. Every team member is valued, and curiosity and collaboration are central to our team culture. We’re committed to enabling our people to make a real impact and drive meaningful change throughout our business.

To show our appreciation, we offer generous and competitive benefits including an enhanced pension scheme with a Stepnell contribution of 7% to help secure your financial future, annual leave that increases with service and the flexibility to purchase more, a market‑leading employee referral scheme, and for eligible roles comprehensive health coverage, adjustable start and finish times and a car allowance or company car.

Join us in a collaborative and inclusive environment where your well‑being is our priority, and your contributions are truly valued.

About Stepnell

As a family‑owned business with over 155 years of history, Stepnell is built on stability, trust, and long‑term thinking. We make decisions with the future in mind for our people, our clients, and our communities.

Our capabilities span construction, property development, energy solutions, joinery, and concrete repair, allowing us to offer integrated services a wide range of client needs. Operating through seven regional offices in Rugby, Nottingham, Liverpool, Wantage, Bristol, Southampton, and Poolevand across three core business units, we maintain a strong local presence while delivering consistently high standards. Today, repeat clients account for 75% of our turnover a testament to our reliability and the quality of our relationships.