The Graduate Development Manager is responsible for ensuring that Transport Scotland’s Graduate Training Scheme runs efficiently and effectively in accordance with the requirements of the Institution for Civil Engineers (ICE) and Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT). The post holder will be responsible for the continual improvement of the training scheme, to ensure that graduates have the opportunity to prepare for working as senior professionals within the industry. The scheme provides an excellent opportunity for graduates to achieve Chartered status and the post holder will be responsible for leading the development of the existing graduates, as well as the recruitment of future graduates, summer placements and internships.
Transport Scotland is undergoing a period of transition, with the completion of a number of major infrastructure projects and a greater emphasis on the promotion of air quality, active travel, accessibility, and the development of the low carbon economy. This is underpinned by the development of a new National Transport Strategy covering Scotland’s transport needs and priorities for the next 20 years.
The Transport Scotland Graduate Training Scheme provides graduates with an excellent opportunity to develop and attain Chartered status, whilst preparing them for working as senior professionals within the industry. Transport Scotland is seeking a Graduate Development Manager to oversee the scheme, ensure that our graduates are given the support necessary to develop into Chartered Engineers and Transport Planners, and to build upon the already successful scheme to meet changing industry requirements.
The Graduate Development Manager is responsible for ensuring that the Graduate Training Scheme runs efficiently and effectively in accordance with the requirements of the ICE and CIHT, and for the continual improvement of the training scheme. The post holder will be responsible for leading the development of the existing graduates, as well as the recruitment of future graduates, summer placements and internships.
Transport Professional Pay Supplement
This post attracts a £7,862 pay supplement (pro rata). Pay supplements are temporary payments designed to address recruitment and retention issues caused by market pressures and are subject to regular review.
Responsibilities
The Graduate Development Manager will have the following typical duties and responsibilities:
* Organise and attend Bi-Annual Graduate Management Meeting with representatives from Transport Scotland’s Senior Management Team, Heads of Profession, Supervising Civil Engineers (SCEs) and Transport Planning (TP) Mentors ensuring that relevant papers are prepared and issued in advance of the meetings and that minutes are recorded and circulated timeously thereafter. Coordinate regular feedback on graduate progress from TP Mentors and Delegate Engineers to inform the meeting.
* Organise and attend monthly meetings with SCEs and TP Mentors. Provide expert advice and support to SCEs, TP Mentors and Delegate Engineers to maintain consistently high standards of support to graduates across the Training Scheme.
* Administer the Graduate Training Scheme, keeping regular contact with ICE and CIHT on any relevant matters.
* Maintain ownership of the Graduate Manuals and update annually or more regularly as required.
* Oversee planning of graduate rotational placements across the organisation, ensuring efficient placing of graduates in roles across Directorates to meet individual development needs while addressing business needs of the organisation.
* Meet with graduates regularly on an individual basis to maintain an understanding of their development progress and respond to any relevant queries promptly.
* Maintain a robust knowledge of ICE and CIHT requirements for Chartered professional qualifications and provide expert advice and support to graduates in preparation for Chartered Professional Review. Provide support to graduates by undertaking document reviews and facilitating mock reviews where required.
* Support graduates in commencing new Training Agreements within six months of them joining the Training Scheme or transferring from a former employer.
* Provide support to HR colleagues in the organisation of career fair attendance or other events where the voluntary attendance of graduates is required.
* Lead recruitment of new Graduates, Summer Placements and Internships through development of relevant adverts, assessing applications, completing interviews and progressing relevant processes to support hiring and onboarding of successful candidates.
Qualifications
You must hold a suitable degree in Civil Engineering, or equivalent, and be a chartered member of an appropriate professional body and registered with the Engineering Council.
Success profiles
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills
Experience in at least two of the following:
* Administering a Graduate Training Scheme on behalf of an organisation.
* Working as a Reviewer for ICE or CIHT.
* Acting as Supervising Civil Engineer or TP Mentor to support graduates in achieving Chartered professional qualifications.
* Holding responsibility for coordinating training of Civil Engineering or Transport Planning graduates in an organisation with a view to supporting them in achieving Chartered professional qualifications.
Behaviours
* Making Effective Decisions - Level 3
* Communicating & Influencing - Level 3
* Developing Self & Others - Level 3
* Working Together - Level 3
You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot
How To Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 1500 words which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 26th Jan however this may be subject to change.
If you require any further information on the post please contact Adam Gould - adam.gould@transport.gov.scot
About Us
Transport Scotland is the national transport agency, seeking to deliver a safe, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport system for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Transport Scotland is accountable to Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers, with a budget of over £4 billion per year. Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government's focus on increasing sustainable economic growth, and transport investments and policies have major impacts on the economy, people, and the environment.
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working pattern
This role is part time, 2 days per week.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply Before: 8th January 2026 (23:59)