Graduate Future Project Management - Assistant Project Manager
Make your mark with Colas Rail UK
At Colas Rail, differences matter. Join a team where being your authentic self is respected, encouraged, and vital to our success. At Colas Rail you'll be at home. You'll be welcomed into an inclusive team where there's a role for every talent and a close-knit, familial culture. You will also get the opportunity to help us transform transportation, set new standards, and dare to be different.
This is true because...
- We value everyone as part of the same team.
- We treat everyone as equals - and everyone is approachable, from the CEO down.
- We put you in control of your career to lead and grow in any way you want.
- We have a culture of care, from safe working environments to diversity and inclusion.
- We're renowned for innovation, adopting new ideas, and daring to be different.
- We are building a more sustainable future and our projects impact infrastructure for generations.
About Us
Step into the world of Colas Rail, where a century of expertise merges with a daring spirit to shape the future of rail infrastructure.
At Colas Rail, we deliver transport solutions for sustainable mobility. We are a leading rail infrastructure business with on track plant and freight capabilities. As a subsidiary of the Colas Group, we are part of over a hundred years' experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of trains run on tracks built, designed, or maintained by Colas Rail.
Leading by our Values
Our values, Respect, Commitment, Pioneering and Sharing are at the heart of everything we do. These values feed into our main strategies and accompany us daily in realising our ambitions.
We Respect our employees, celebrate diversity and foster a culture of safety, care and respect for everyone we interact with. We care about our employee’s wellbeing and create an environment of inclusivity and support.
We Commit by showing up wholeheartedly. When we commit together, we invest in everyone’s success. We invest in our customers, our teams and our colleagues, and we lead with safety, integrity, passion, purpose, ethics and transparency.
We Share as we all hold knowledge that could and should be shared, enabling us to grow and making us a strong collective. We have a passion for excellence, celebrating achievements and nurturing talent.
We Pioneer to push boundaries, imagine what does not yet exist and dare to do what others do not. We innovate with ambition, and we find solutions.
Even if you don't meet every requirement, please don't rule yourself out, we still encourage you to apply if your skills, values, and experience align to the role.
Purpose of the Role
As part of the Project Management Graduate Program you will work in allocated multidisciplinary and multi-million pound projects, or deliver parts of key contracts, and their associated activities from conception through to completion, delivering work that meets project/contract requirements.
You will have the opportunity to learn and develop your skills and to work towards becoming a Chartered Project Manager through the Association of Project Management.
Person Specification
- You have completed your degree by July 2026
- You are able to drive or will have completed your driving test by August 2026
- You will be able to collaborate as part of a team
- You are able to demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills
- You show an interest and drive to be part of the Rail Industry and Colas Rail
- You can work independently and in a team, using your own initiative to deliver excellent results
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Project Manager/Delivery Manager in leading and delivering successful projects/contracts, safely, on time and within budget. Also delivering against the
- Route to Competence for the Project Management pathway.
- Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction are delivered at all times, work in a collaborative manner, engage regularly with the client and ensure they are continually updated on progress.
- Lead complex multidisciplinary project/contract activities and direct the project/delivery team to ensure delivery of work within agreed timescales according to the agreed quality and in line with safety rules and procedures.
- Ensure best safety practices are being utilised during all site/depot/machine activities and any non-compliant materials or workmanship is reported following the correct process.
- Ensure contracted works do not compromise the safe operation of the Railway system and that of the safety of passengers, staff and public.
- Support the project manager/delivery manager in all matters related to the successful delivery of the project/contract.
- Forecast and monitor project costs; identify and highlight any deviation from the budget & plan in a timely manner.
- Establish and maintain project management controls including risk and change management.
- Work with the project team to ensure that everyone works in a collaborative, open and honest manner with all stakeholders – liaising regularly with subcontractors, client and any relevant third parties where required.
- Attend all the relevant Graduate Development Training for your pathway, ensuring the learning gets delivered in the workplace.
- Complete the Social Value Project when requested.
- As you will expect the organisation may change from time to time and you will be expected to meet the operational requirements.
Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time.
What We Offer
• Competitive Salary
• 26 days Annual Leave
• Industry leading Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Long Service Award
• Season Ticket Loan
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we actively seek to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, valued and respected. Regardless of background, disability, age, race, religion, or gender, everyone is welcome at Colas Rail.
We strive to promote equity and eliminate discrimination, actively seeking to create a workforce reflective of communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, offering flexible and inclusive adjustments to the interview process.
As part of a positive action drive to address under-representation we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010.
We are proudly part of the Disability Confidence Scheme, and as such we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme if you meet the minimum requirements.
On joining Colas Rail you’ll have access to our growing Employee Network Groups including Railbow (representing the LGBTQ+ community), BeyonDisability (representing those with disabilities) and Cross Culture (representing people from ethnic backgrounds). Everyone is welcome to join our network groups whether you are part of the community or an ally.
Work life balance is important to us; flexible working options are available where feasible and dependant on the role. Please discuss this during the interview process.
Join us in making a positive impact! Apply and be part of a team that values diversity and embraces unique perspectives.
Screen readers cannot read the following searchable map.
Follow this link to reach our Job Search page to search for available jobs in a more accessible format.
