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Imagine contributing to the success of a multi-million pound organisation, making decisions that have a positive impact on communities throughout the UK and developing to become a leader of the future.

As we have a small annual intake of graduates, we tailor our Graduate Development Programmes to the strengths and aspirations of each individual.

In 2019, we will be offering the following three Graduate Development Programmes:

This programme is based in our Worcester offices. Completing up to four rotational placements, you will develop your commercial skills while making an active contribution to the development of our organisation. Placements will be in any one of our core business areas – housing, care, commercial, development, or central services. Each placement will see you undertaking work that will have a measurable impact on the business.

Upon successful completion of the programme, our Graduates can typically expect to move into senior roles with increased remuneration packages. We therefore enjoy considerably higher retention rates when compared to other graduate schemes.

 Apply now 

This programme is based in our Worcester offices. You will complete up to four 6-month rotational placements across our Technology business which could include working in IT operations, learning about our systems and how we develop and support them, Enterprise Architecture where we review IT strategy development, design of systems and matching technology to business requirements, our Project Management team where you will manage and embed specific Technology projects and other opportunities with our infrastructure, hardware and support teams.

Following successful completion of the programme you would either specialise in one particular area of our Technology business or move into a general IT management role.

 Apply now 

This programme is based in our Worcester offices but may include a regional focus so flexibility to travel will be required. You will complete up to four 6-month rotational placements across our Development business which could include: Sales & Marketing, Project Management, Land & Planning, Construction and Head Office Functions.

Following successful completion of the programme you would enter one of the main Development areas and follow a career pathway into management.

 Apply now 

We regularly attend events throughout the UK, giving you the chance to meet us and find out what it is like to work at Sanctuary and the opportunities we have available. You can view our graduate fair events on our Careers Events page.

Who we look for

We’re an ambitious organisation and we want our graduates to share those ambitions.

Graduating in any degree subject and with a passion for your chosen programme, you will be in your final year of study, or have finished your studies within the past three years, and will need or be predicted a minimum of a 2:1 degree.

Your personal skills will be just as important. Determined and focused, you will be a natural at building relationships and inspiring others. You’ll also need adaptability, ideas and initiative, strong problem-solving skills and confidence in your own ability. Above all, you’ll have the commercial aptitude and desire to take us forward.

We are looking for people who demonstrate the Sanctuary Group values and behaviours and in particular show a high degree of potential in the following areas:

  • Commercial aptitude
  • Ambition and drive
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Adaptability
  • Decision making
  • Creativity
  • Influencing
  • Problem solving and analysis

 

Sanctuary Group is committed to equality and diversity and is proud to have signed up to the Tech Talent Charter, a commitment to deliver greater gender diversity in the information technology workforce.

What's in it for you?

Rewards and benefits

We offer a competitive salary, a generous contributory pension scheme and a range of other benefits including 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, leisure and retail discounts and exclusive employee offers through our MyRewards scheme.

Training and development

Your training and development will be a priority at Sanctuary Group. You’ll have a comprehensive induction, where you will be introduced to a number of senior leaders throughout the business and visit a range of our operations across the UK. Throughout your time on the programme we’ll make sure you have the right balance of on-the-job training, more formal learning and professional development. We regularly sponsor graduates through professional qualifications in a number of disciplines.

After the programme

From Corporate Services to Development, Supported Living to Housing, our former graduates work across all areas of the business. Your future is in your hands. We’ll be expecting you to have the ambition and focus to progress within Sanctuary Group and have a significant impact on our operations. But don’t worry, you won’t be on your own, your development doesn’t stop when you complete the programme. We will continue to nurture your potential and help you to realise your career aspirations.

Application process

We will be open for applications for our 2019 Graduate Programmes from 24 September.

The first part of the application process is to complete an online application form and submit along with your CV. We will be looking for you to demonstrate why you want to work for Sanctuary Group so please ensure you have done your research about each of our business areas and our core values.

When providing answers to the competency related questions, please provide specific examples which are appropriate and can relate to the role you have applied for.

The interview will be held in our Worcester Head Office; however for those not located within easy reach of our offices a Skype interview will be offered as an alternative. The interviews will take place at the end of January and you will be given at least two weeks notice if you are successful. We will be looking to find out why you want to join your chosen Graduate Development Programme and what experience you can bring.

This is a great opportunity for you to show that you are genuinely interested in the role. The Assessment Centre will be held over a two day period at our Worcester Head Office which is easily accessible by road and rail. You will have the opportunity to network with our current graduates to find out what life is really like as a graduate at Sanctuary Group. Overnight accommodation and an evening meal with some of our current graduates will be provided. Reasonable travel expenses to the Assessment Centre will also be reimbursed.

You will be informed of the outcome of the assessment centre within 24 hours and a member of the Graduate Recruitment Team will schedule in time with you to deliver detailed feedback on your performance at the assessment centre.

Graduate Development Programmes enquiry form

Top tips for applying

We receive a high volume of applications, so it is essential that your application stands out from the crowd. Below are some top tips on completing an award winning application form:

  • Do your research. We want to hear why you are passionate about wanting to work for our organisation and how your values and behaviours align to Sanctuary Group’s set of values and behaviours
  • Carefully check your spelling and grammar and proof read your application before submitting it – do not reply on spellcheckers to auto correct words
  • Ensure you sell yourself, demonstrating your passion and enthusiasm for both our organisation but also the programme you are applying for
  • Use short, succinct sentences and paragraphs which are easy to follow and focus on answering the question

Frequently asked questions

How long does the application process last?

Our 2019 Graduate Development Programme will be open for applications from 24 September 2018 and will be open until 11 January 2019. A robust selection process follows for those that submit a successful application form, starting with an initial interview at the end of January 2019 and for successful candidates an assessment centre at our Worcester offices will be held in early March 2019. Successful candidates will start on their chosen Graduate Development Programme in September 2019. Please note that specific dates will be confirmed nearer the opening of our 2019 Graduate Development Programmes.

Our central services office is in Worcester, and this is where you will be based too. However, dependent on the programme some placements may take place in one of our regional offices, which are located throughout England and Scotland. All placements are agreed ahead of time with our graduates and continued support is offered wherever they are based.

Our graduates start in September each year.

Each of our Graduate Development Programmes last for two years. You'll have an induction programme, followed by up to four rotational placements. Our Graduate Development Programmes are structured to ensure you have enough time to deliver results in each placement.

The Graduate Development Programmes are two year fixed term contracts. To date, everyone completing the Graduate Development Programmes have secured a full-time role with Sanctuary Group. Our graduates have gone on to work in a number of different roles throughout the business and across the UK.

Yes, you can apply for more than one of our Graduate Development Programmes, but will be asked in your application which is your preferred scheme.

Graduate stories

We're committed to helping everyone who works here achieve their own individual ambitions.

See what our past graduates have achieved by reading their stories.

Callie's story

Joe's story

Libby's story

Mitchell's story