Bristol , South West
Graduate Management Trainee - Proposals Management
Full Time , Management Trainee
Reference number: CON02308
Closing date:
Graduate Management Trainee - Proposals Management
Willmott Dixon is looking for bright and ambitious graduate to join our Management Trainee programme in Proposals (Bid) Management within our Construction Wales & West business, based out of our Bristol office, near Pill.
This is more than just a first job in construction, it’s a launch pad for future leaders. Our program gives you real responsibility from day one, structured learning, and the chance to help shape communities through the buildings we deliver.
Our graduate management trainee programme is 2 to 3 years in duration (depending upon your degree). If you have experience in marketing, communications, or English studies, you’ll find a fulfilling career in proposal development with us and would welcome your application. You’ll leverage your persuasive writing skills, collaborate with teams to shape winning solutions, and work with graphic designers to translate ideas into compelling visual narratives.
About the Role
As a Proposals Management Trainee, you will be directly involved in the bid process for our multi-million-pound building projects. Through creative, well-thought-out and engaging written content, we are able to ‘wow’ our customers and ultimately win work to deliver high quality buildings which shape communities.
You will be working with Willmott Dixon colleagues to engage and lead subject matter experts in addressing the customer’s needs and concerns, ensuring our proposals/bids offers best value for our customer. This is achieved by leading the business offer with compelling and persuasive written and oral content.
Our programme will give you a great foundation; you will get exposure to many areas of our business through placements in different disciplines such as Quantity Surveying, Estimating, and Design Management to develop your understanding of the construction business as a whole and not just your chosen specialism of Proposals Management.
Upon graduation from the programme, you will progress into an Assistant Proposals Manager role.
Why Willmott Dixon?
With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose goes beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations.
We’ve been recently recognised as:
- One of the Top 10 “Big” Companies to Work For (Sunday Times, 2025)
- In the Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality (Times, 2024)
- Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 Best Workplaces (Financial Times, 2025)
- The first major contractor to win a King’s Award for Enterprise in sustainable development
We’ve been running our Management Trainee scheme for over 40 years, with many of our current senior leaders having started out here!
What Makes Our Program Stand Out?
- Earn while you learn – competitive salary with increases as you progress
- No student debt – we cover your tuition fees for part-time study towards a relevant qualification
- Fast-track progression – a proven route into management, with most trainees stepping into Assistant Management roles upon completion
- Real responsibility – you’ll manage live projects, not just shadow others
- Structured rotations – exposure across different functions to broaden your knowledge and skills
- Recognition – opportunities to take part in Trainee Challenges and even win our coveted Trainee of the Year
- Support professional memberships and accreditations i.e - CIOB, RICS etc.
What We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from:
- Graduates (Marketing, Communications, English, History, Social Sciences, Construction)
The ideal candidate will
- Have strong problem-solving and numeracy skills
- Be a good communicator and collaborator
- Show the drive to organise, influence and take responsibility
- Bring curiosity and resilience in a fast-paced environment
- Ideally, have some exposure to construction, proposals, or with bidding and tenders (work experience, placement or similar)
- Valid driver's license
Additional Information
Next Steps
Our Management Trainee roles start in September 2026.
- Applications close: Friday 12th June
- Shortlisted candidates can expect to be invited to an interview in our Bristol office in July/August which will be accompanied by a marked written task, followed by a second interview for finalists shortly after.
Inclusion & Flexibility
We embrace diversity and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We also consider flexible and agile working requests.
About Us
With 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose beyond profit is to deliver brilliant buildings, transform lives, strengthen communities, and enhance the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and trusted privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.