2026 UK Graduate Ports Project Manager Career Path: Transport
Please note you may only submit one application for our graduate opportunities. Once submitted, changes or new applications cannot be made — unless new vacancies open in the new year.
To avoid missing out on your preferred role, we recommend applying as early as possible, as positions will close once filled.
Turn your ambition into action—apply now and shape your future with us.
Job Description
Are you ready to shape a better tomorrow? Join us as a Graduate Project Manager and become part of a team that’s passionate about creating meaningful change through Port and Coastal projects that serve communities and protect our planet.
As we continue to grow, we’re looking for talented graduates to join our collaborative and inclusive teams across the UK. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals in technical advisory, design management, and project management, contributing to projects that make a real difference - from transforming public buildings to supporting the transition to net zero.
Why Join Us?
Purpose-Driven Work: Our projects improve public services and enhance everyday life. We partner with national and local government departments, developers, investors, and infrastructure operators to deliver impactful solutions.
Supportive Environment: You’ll be part of a caring and empowering culture that values your wellbeing and personal growth. We celebrate achievements and encourage continuous learning.
Inclusive & Collaborative Teams: Diversity is our strength. We foster a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, and supported.
Opportunities for Growth: From day one, you’ll be trusted with meaningful responsibilities and supported through a structured development programme.
What You’ll Be Doing:
As a Graduate Port Project Manager, you’ll contribute to:
Engaging with clients, end users, statutory bodies, and stakeholders
Project programming and financial planning
Feasibility studies and options appraisals
Contract administration and design coordination
Building trusted relationships with clients and colleagues
Supporting and learning from experienced consultants
We have opportunities in Croydon.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you will have less than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2024) or expected to achieve one, in one of the following degree disciplines:
Any engineering
Project management
Coastal science
Geography
In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in both the opportunity and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests—such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.
We personally review every completed application we receive as our selection process is entirely human led – we do not use AI tools and kindly expect you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story
We are looking for graduates with the following strengths:
Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.
Well-rounded knowledge on wider environmental issues
Familiarity with data management, analytics and digital technologies
As we want the best people for the role, we support flexible working. Please ask us at interview stage about any flexibility you may need.
Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.
Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long-term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time-limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future.
We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in the future.
About your development
A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why, with our graduate roles, we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career.
From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a chartered mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training agreement. We’ll support you on your journey to gaining chartered status with your chosen institution.
Accelerating your Future – our early careers development programme
Mott Macdonald will support the development of technical and practical skills like presentation and report writing skills, and data analysis, alongside your personal development.
Additionally, you will join our three-year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long-lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.
Agile working
At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team and personal commitments. We embrace agility, flexibility and trust.
More about Mott MacDonald
We’re a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.
A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.
Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence