Graduate / Trainee Project Manager

Graduate / Trainee Project Manager

Salary: £28,000 - £30,000

Location: Offices in Sandwich (Kent) and Hastings (East Sussex), with projects located throughout Essex, Kent, Sussex, London and the South East.

Working Pattern: Hybrid working, combining office, site visits and home working.

Hours: 40 hours per week

Reporting To: Director / Senior Project Manager

About Counties & Capital Group

Counties & Capital is a consultancy supporting Local Authorities, Registered Providers, developers and investors across Essex, Kent, Sussex, London and the South-East. We focus on housing delivery, regeneration, governance and strategic development advice.

Our work includes development and regeneration, project and programme management, land agency, new homes services, options appraisals, housing needs and market analysis, viability assessments, governance and stakeholder engagement.

We believe great places require clarity, collaboration and disciplined delivery.

The Role

The Graduate Project Manager, with support from the wider team, will support and become responsible for leading and managing the delivery of housing development projects from inception through to completion. This includes market research, feasibility assessments, planning, procurement, construction delivery and handover.

The role ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, to quality standards and in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist, and over-time, take lead with project management

• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, including timelines, milestones, budgets and risk registers

• Coordinate external professional teams including Employers Agent, architects, planners, engineers and cost consultants

• Support planning, procurement and reporting

• Prepare viability assessments and financial models

• Support options appraisals and project business cases

• Assist in drafting project governance frameworks

• Build relationships and provide excellent customer service to Local Authorities, Registered Providers and Development Partners

• Prepare and present succinct and impactful reports

• Complete market analysis and policy reviews

• Support business development through bid submissions, tender writing and active networking

• Support statutory and regulatory requirements.

About You

Essential

• Proactive with excellent communication skills and commercial awareness
• Keen interest in housing, regeneration and real-estate delivery
• Degree qualified (or relevant experience)
• Strong organisational and analytical skills
• Ambitious to achieve and ollaborative working style
• Willingness to travel & Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Understanding of Local Authority and Registered Provider environments
• Knowledge of development, planning policy, affordable housing, Homes England/GLA Funding Programmes
• RICS/RTPI‑accredited degree or interest in APC.

Behavioural Competencies

• Adaptability - agile, innovative and open to new ideas and opinions
• Business Thinking - understands commercial drivers and financial frameworks
• Communication - effective across multiple stakeholders, clear written and verbal skills
• Influence & Positive Impact - able to build trust, motivate and persuade others
• Initiative - proactive, entrepreneurial and commercially minded
• Organisation & Planning - able to prioritise effectively across multiple projects
• Problem Solving & Decision Making - pragmatic, solution-focused, with sound judgement
• Results Orientation - delivery-focused with commitment to achieving outcomes
• Team Player - collaborative, supportive, and aligned to wider business objectives.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Professional development support
• Flexible/ hybrid working
• Travel and mileage reimbursement

Application Process

Submit a 1‑page cover letter and 2‑page CV to ***email_hidden***

If you prefer you can send a 3-minute video clip instead of a letter.

The letter (or video) should explain how you meet the role requirements and what you will bring if you worked with Counties & Capital.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual initial introduction informal discussion, followed by in-person interview.