REAL GRADUATES
REAL CAREERS
AT THE HEART OF WHITBREAD
Wholehearted Opportunities
As proud owners of some of the country's best-loved hospitality brands, we serve an amazing 25 million UK customers each month in our Premier Inn hotels and popular restaurants. Our ambition is ever-growing, and we’re looking for a new generation of leaders to take our business to the next level.
Welcome to the world of Whitbread graduates
Our graduates are at the heart of our business — making the decisions that have a real impact both on our customers, and their own individual careers. To get a real insight for what life is like on our programmes, follow our graduates’ journeys through their selfies, stories and real emotions.
Our Graduate programmes will help you develop your skills, build a network of contacts and gain exposure in a range of areas and roles. You’ll also acquire function-specific experience, technical training and support for the professional qualifications you wish to work towards.
Fabian's week on the Premier Inn Management Programme
86BPM
Smooth handover from the night team, no problems or issues on site – feeling pumped.
82BPM
Heading to a meeting with my Cluster General Manager to discuss my progression and my next role
– feeling curious.
91BPM
Helping out during the busy breakfast hour – clearing tables and stocking the buffet – feeling
productive.
80BPM
Guest at reception because there’s a spider in her room and wants someone to get rid of it –
feeling determined.
78BPM<
Briefing team members on the new Living Wage pay structure – feeling helpful.
69BPM
Just arrived at site, ready to count and store the drinks delivery – feeling organised.
92BPM
Confused guest at reception because we cannot find his booking. Turns out he was booked in another
hotel – feeling relieved.
72BPM
Just sat down to prepare for an internal vacancy interview – feeling nervous.
99BPM
Just helped a guest with their colossal amounts of luggage as the lift is out of order – feeling
beat.
69BPM
Sending emails to arrange work placements for students – feeling effective.
86BPM
Heading to Hammersmith tube station to collect money for the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital
– feeling excited.
74BPM
Arrived to work to start my late shift and jumped straight into checking guests in so they can
head to the Rugby – feeling active.
71BPM
Just finished a 2-for-1 at the bar, empty glasses everywhere – feeling productive.
Alexandra's week at the Support Centre
75BPM
Bought a Costa on my way to a meeting early in the morning – feeling ready.
89BPM
About to have a conference call with a supplier from the States – feeling excited.
103BPM
In a meeting with Junior Directors, understanding how we can spot potential in our organisation
– feeling upbeat.
79BPM
Time to head to college to work on a presentation – feeling busy.
92BPM
Just had a chat with my manager about my performance – feeling great.
75BPM
Learning about the structure of the organisation – feeling focused.
108BPM
Half-year review coming up, hope it goes well – feeling shaky.
96BPM
The review went really well, a lot of positive feedback! – feeling ecstatic.
69BPM
Going out for dinner with the other grads to have a catch up – feeling happy.
80BPM
It’s Friday yay! But still lots to do though, on my way to a meeting at Hub – feeling energised.
98BPM
Was just asked to pull a slide together for our Talent & Leadership Development Director to present
to the new CEO in two hours – feeling jittery.
Support Centre
We’re responsible for over 2,000 hotels and restaurants in the UK. Their success depends on the passion, commitment and ambition of people like you.
Operations
Designed for commercially focused graduates, this programme will expose you to various roles and operational areas, and give you a deep understanding of how our business works. Add the mentoring you’ll get from senior managers, and you should be able to run your own site within 12 months.
Support Centre Roles
We have several roles on offer, so you can be sure to find one to fit your personality and interests. Something that will really get your heart racing. Filter by brand or simply read through all our programmes' descriptions to find what you’re looking for to take that first step towards a great career.
Whitbread HR
This programme takes your passion for people and turns it into exceptional HR management expertise. You’ll join our brands’ operational teams to fully understand the heart of our business, and then build up specialist skills in areas such as Resourcing, Employee Relations, Reward, Operational HR Management and Learning & Skills. You’ll also be supported to achieve CIPD accreditation. Motivated and inspired, we’ll expect you to be a genuine people person, and ready to work with your colleagues to achieve success.
What you’ll need
- 2:1 degree
- Any degree subject
Whitbread Finance
Working in a business-critical role from day one, you’ll provide commercial analysis that informs our strategic management
decisions. With a rotational structure that ensures you acquire a breadth of experience
as well as depth of knowledge, you’ll be mentored by one of our leaders, receiving
the support to help you fast-track your career. With great analytical and team working
skills, we’ll expect you to have an inquisitive nature and a desire to understand
how a business succeeds from a financial perspective. And it goes without saying
that you’ll have real commitment, drive and a positive attitude.
What you’ll need
- 2:1 degree
- Any degree subject
Whitbread Technology
Our Technology function is undergoing an exciting period of transformation. Join the Technology programme and you could be bringing innovative tech to our hotels, developing new code to support Whitbread’s digital expansion, or analysing data and trends to improve customer service. We have opportunities in Agile Digital Development & Delivery, IT Architecture and IS Management, rotating through various areas from Analytics to Project Management. Passionate about technology and everything digital, you’ll be a quick learner and happy to work independently or as part of a team.
What you’ll need
- 2:1 degree
- Any degree subject
Whitbread HR
This programme takes your passion for people and turns it into exceptional HR management expertise. You’ll join our brands’ operational teams to fully understand the heart of our business, and then build up specialist skills in areas such as Resourcing, Employee Relations, Reward, Operational HR Management and Learning & Skills. You’ll also be supported to achieve CIPD accreditation. Motivated and inspired, we’ll expect you to be a genuine people person, and ready to work with your colleagues to achieve success.
What you’ll need
- 2:1 degree
- Any degree subject
Whitbread Finance
Working in a business-critical role from day one, you’ll provide commercial analysis that informs our strategic management
decisions. With a rotational structure that ensures you acquire a breadth of experience
as well as depth of knowledge, you’ll be mentored by one of our leaders, receiving
the support to help you fast-track your career. With great analytical and team working
skills, we’ll expect you to have an inquisitive nature and a desire to understand
how a business succeeds from a financial perspective. And it goes without saying
that you’ll have real commitment, drive and a positive attitude.
What you’ll need
- 2:1 degree
- Any degree subject
Whitbread Technology
Our Technology function is undergoing an exciting period of transformation. Join the Technology programme and you could be bringing innovative tech to our hotels, developing new code to support Whitbread’s digital expansion, or analysing data and trends to improve customer service. We have opportunities in Agile Digital Development & Delivery, IT Architecture and IS Management, rotating through various areas from Analytics to Project Management. Passionate about technology and everything digital, you’ll be a quick learner and happy to work independently or as part of a team.
What you’ll need
- 2:1 degree
- Any degree subject
Operations Roles
We have several roles on offer, so you can be sure to find one to fit your personality and interests. Something that will really get your heart racing. Filter by brand or simply read through all our programmes' descriptions to find what you’re looking for to take that first step towards a great career.
Premier Inn Operations Management
Throughout the programme, you'll experience all the operating aspects of our organisation as you prepare for your role as an Operations Manager. You’ll be working in locations across the UK before taking a management position and leading your own team to success. You’ll benefit from first-class mentoring and support as you demonstrate your commitment to a career in hospitality. Dynamic and with brilliant team leadership credentials, you’ll be the sort of person who can put a smile on the faces of all our guests.
What you’ll need
- Any degree classification & subject
- National mobility
- Willingness to work evening and weekend shifts when needed
Premier Inn Operations Management
Throughout the programme, you'll experience all the operating aspects of our organisation as you prepare for your role as an Operations Manager. You’ll be working in locations across the UK before taking a management position and leading your own team to success. You’ll benefit from first-class mentoring and support as you demonstrate your commitment to a career in hospitality. Dynamic and with brilliant team leadership credentials, you’ll be the sort of person who can put a smile on the faces of all our guests.
What you’ll need
- Any degree classification & subject
- National mobility
- Willingness to work evening and weekend shifts when needed
Rewards & Benefits
When you join us, you’ll enjoy a great range of rewards and benefits, including up to a 10% annual bonus, a contributory pension scheme and our share saving schemes. We also offer life assurance, a 25% discount on all our brands and 25 days holiday. And should you wish to study for further professional qualifications, we’ll encourage – and pay you – all the way too.
Good to know
Everyone is welcome to apply to any of our programmes as long as you meet our eligibility requirements. This includes anybody already working for Whitbread and graduates from outside the UK (make sure you have a work visa). Recruitment begins in October. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis and aim to run our assessment centres from November, so don’t delay submitting your application. It’s important you show passion for your chosen career, so please only apply for one programme.
Application Process
At Whitbread, it’s not just about what’s on your CV; it’s about who you are and how you do things. We keep our application process as simple as possible, so take the following steps:
Top tip: think about what makes you different – it’s not just about your academic achievements; it’s also about the person behind them.
Top tip: we may refer to your application and CV during the interview, so make sure you familiarise yourself with your experience before the call.
Top tip: you won’t be able to restart your assessments once started, so make sure you can complete the stage without being interrupted.
Top tip: don’t forget to do your research on Whitbread and our brands, have confidence in your abilities, and engage with the people around you.
