Business Management Trainee
Alpha UK Project is looking for a Business Management Trainee to work alongside our senior managers as we set up our new Newcastle operation. It's a practical role with real exposure to business operations, live client projects and the day-to-day decisions that keep a consultancy running. You'll be involved in genuine work from early on, supported by managers who'll guide you and hand you more responsibility as you're ready for it.
What makes it worthwhile is the cross-training behind it. Instead of theory and classroom exercises, you'll learn operations, budgeting, finance, marketing, sales, project delivery and leadership by working on active projects. You learn by doing, with experienced people around you and your responsibilities growing as your capability does.
Who we are
Alpha UK Project is a growing consultancy that helps businesses improve revenue, tighten up their commercial operations and get a better return on their investment. We've recently expanded into Newcastle and are building a local team as part of wider growth across major UK cities. This role is part of that, and you'll help get our Newcastle operation off the ground.
The development
You'll follow a structured cross-training programme covering operations and project coordination, budgeting and financial awareness, client relationship management, contract administration, marketing and sales, business development, performance management, and coaching and team leadership.
Training combines shadowing managers, supervised responsibility, live project work, regular feedback and more accountability over time. The pathway leads towards managing a team and a client project, but moving forward depends on your performance, conduct, commercial understanding and capability rather than time in the role.
What the job involves
You'll support the senior managers and Operations Manager across the running of business operations and client projects. The role is built to develop your commercial judgement and leadership through supervised practice. You'll start by supporting and observing, then take on more as you show you're ready. The direction is clear: towards managing a business development team and running an assigned client project.
Day to day, you'll be
- Supporting senior managers with the coordination of business operations and client projects
- Helping with client communication, meeting prep, progress updates and account support
- Reviewing project performance, commercial results, revenue and return-on-investment figures
- Helping prepare and monitor project budgets, expenditure records and basic financial reports
- Working with business development representatives to understand activity levels and performance standards
- Carrying out market, competitor and client research to inform commercial decisions
- Spotting operational issues and suggesting practical ways to improve them
- Gradually leading meetings, coaching sessions and small areas of team responsibility as you build towards managing a team and a client project
What you'll need
- A real interest in business management, commercial growth and how organisations perform
- Degree-level education in business, management, finance, marketing, economics or similar, or equivalent practical or entrepreneurial experience
- Some exposure to business, sales, operations, customer service, account management, finance, marketing or project work
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Good numerical awareness and the ability to read budgets, performance data and commercial information
- Solid organisation, time management and attention to detail
- A willingness to take coaching, act on feedback and adapt when priorities or circumstances change
- Confidence using Microsoft Office or similar business software
We're happy to hear from people with entrepreneurial backgrounds or experience running projects, societies, small businesses or side ventures, as well as those wanting structured development towards management.
The package
The starting salary is £29,000 a year, rising to £35,000 once you've shown you can independently manage a team and a client project to our standard. We aim to support you towards this within around six months, though the timing comes down to your performance and readiness rather than being automatic.
Hours and where you'll work
This is a full-time, permanent, office-based role, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. The office is in central Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5JE, a few minutes' walk from Newcastle Central Station. It's on-site because the training relies on close manager support, working with the team and being hands-on with live projects.
Optional opportunities may occasionally come up for extra project work, events, travel or training outside normal hours. These are voluntary and depend on business needs and your availability.
Why it's worth it
- Direct access to experienced senior managers and clear, performance-based development towards management
- Practical experience across several business functions, from operations and finance to sales and leadership
- A hand in growing a newly expanded Newcastle operation
- Real involvement in live client projects and commercial decisions
- A professional office with regular coaching and feedback
Equal opportunities
Alpha UK Project is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all academic, professional and entrepreneurial backgrounds. We assess everyone on their skills, experience and potential, and we're happy to discuss reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.
Pay: From £29,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
Work Location: In person
