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: Home Counties 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: Maple Lodge Site/Thames Water site in Rickmansworth and surrounding area
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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics' ambassadorWhat 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 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 license is required due to travel across your assigned region
A self-motivated, adaptable mindset confident in stepping into new environmentsWhat’s in it for you?
Starting salary: Year 1 £32,000, Year 2 £34,000
Location: Year 1 - Travel required across the Home Counties Region. Year 2 – Maple Lodge Site or another TW site in Rickmansworth/Surrounding area
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 assuranceFind out more about our Graduate recruitment process here
Find out more about our benefits and perks
Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values
Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment