Graduate Commercial Manager Review

Overall, my experience at Mace Construct has been extremely positive and rewarding. As someone who joined the graduate scheme without a construction background, I was initially unsure how steep the learning curve would be. However, I quickly found that the support available across the business made the transition much easier than expected.
The people have been the standout highlight of my experience so far. Everyone has been approachable, welcoming, and willing to take the time to answer questions and share their knowledge, regardless of their role or seniority. This has helped me build confidence, develop my understanding of the industry, and take on increasing levels of responsibility.
Working on the Oxford Science Park project has given me exposure to a wide range of commercial and operational activities, from subcontractor management and payment processes to scope reviews and project delivery challenges. The responsibility I've been given as a graduate has allowed me to gain valuable hands-on experience and contribute meaningfully to the project team.
Overall, Mace has provided a supportive environment to learn, develop, and grow professionally, and it has given me a strong foundation for a future career in construction.

As a Commercial Graduate, my main responsibilities include supporting the commercial management of the project, reviewing subcontractor quotations, preparing payment notices, managing change through instructions and variations, and working with subcontractors to clarify scope and resolve commercial queries. I also support procurement activities and help ensure that costs are managed effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
The element of the role I enjoy most is the variety. No two days are the same, and I get exposure to both the commercial and operational sides of construction. I particularly enjoy working with different stakeholders across the project team and subcontractors to solve problems and find practical solutions.
Coming from a non-construction background, I've also enjoyed the continuous learning aspect of the role. Every day is an opportunity to develop my knowledge of the industry, and I've found that the responsibility given to graduates at Mace has helped me build confidence and develop professionally much quicker than I expected.

My role gives me a strong opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the project and feel valued as part of the team. As a graduate, I've been trusted with real responsibilities rather than simply observing, which has allowed me to contribute to commercial processes and support project delivery from an early stage.
I regularly work with project teams, subcontractors, and senior colleagues, and my input is encouraged and considered. This has helped me build confidence and develop professionally. The supportive nature of the team means that while there is always help available when needed, there is also a level of trust that allows me to take ownership of tasks and develop my skills.
Coming from a non-construction background, I particularly appreciate how approachable and supportive everyone has been. The willingness of colleagues to share their knowledge and provide guidance has made me feel like a valued member of the team and has played a significant role in my development so far.

I believe my compensation package fairly reflects my role and responsibilities as a graduate. Alongside salary, the benefits, development opportunities, and support provided by Mace add significant value. I particularly appreciate the investment in professional development and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and responsibility early in my career, which makes the overall package feel competitive and rewarding.

I feel my role is preparing me very well for my future career. Since joining Mace, I've been given exposure to a wide range of commercial and project activities, allowing me to develop both technical knowledge and practical experience in a live construction environment.
The responsibility I've been trusted with has helped me build confidence, improve my commercial awareness, and develop key skills such as communication, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and decision-making. Working closely with experienced colleagues and subcontractors has also given me valuable insight into how projects are delivered from both a commercial and operational perspective.
Coming from a non-construction background, I've been particularly pleased with how much I've learned in a relatively short space of time. The support from colleagues, combined with the opportunities to take ownership of tasks, has accelerated my development and given me a strong foundation for a long-term career within the construction industry.
Overall, I feel the role is equipping me with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to progress confidently in my career and take on increasing levels of responsibility in the future.

The support I receive is excellent. One of the biggest contributors to my positive experience at Mace has been my line manager. He has been incredibly supportive since I joined and has always made time to provide guidance, answer questions, and help me develop. We have built a very strong working relationship, which has significantly enhanced my experience and confidence in the role.
Coming from a non-construction background, having that level of support has been invaluable. More broadly, I've found everyone at Mace to be approachable and willing to share their knowledge, which has made it much easier to learn and settle into the industry. I've been given responsibility while knowing support is always available when needed, which has been a great balance for my development.
Overall, I feel very well supported, both by my line manager and the wider team, and it has been one of the standout aspects of my experience at Mace so far.

I would say my work-life balance is very good. There are busy periods, as you'd expect in construction, but I've generally found a healthy balance between work and personal life. My team and line manager are very supportive, and I've built a particularly strong relationship with my line manager, who has had a really positive impact on my experience at Mace. The support and understanding I've received have helped make the role both enjoyable and sustainable.

I would describe the culture at Mace as supportive, collaborative, and welcoming. Coming from a non-construction background, I quickly felt comfortable thanks to how approachable and helpful everyone has been. People are always willing to share their knowledge and support your development, regardless of their role or seniority.
The general atmosphere is positive and professional, with a strong focus on teamwork. The people have been the standout aspect of my experience, and the support from my line manager and wider team has played a huge part in my development so far.

I would rate Mace Construct highly when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. From my experience, the business promotes an inclusive and welcoming environment where people are respected and valued regardless of their background.
As someone who joined without a construction background, I've always felt supported and included within my team. Everyone has been approachable, and I've found the culture encourages people to contribute and develop. Overall, Mace demonstrates a genuine commitment to creating a positive and inclusive workplace where individuals have the opportunity to succeed.

Yes

I would highly recommend Mace Construct as a place to work, particularly for graduates. From my experience, the business provides excellent opportunities to learn, develop, and take on genuine responsibility from an early stage in your career.
The people have been the standout aspect of my experience. Everyone is approachable, supportive, and willing to share their knowledge, which made joining the construction industry without a construction background much easier than I expected. I've also built a strong relationship with my line manager, whose support has been invaluable to my development.

The role has exceeded my expectations based on the recruitment process. I expected to gain valuable experience and develop my skills, but I've been pleasantly surprised by the level of responsibility and trust I've been given from an early stage.
I've had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to live projects, work with a wide range of stakeholders, and develop both commercially and professionally. Coming from a non-construction background, I also didn't expect the transition into the industry to be as smooth as it has been, which is largely due to the support and guidance I've received from my team and line manager.
Overall, the role has provided more responsibility, learning opportunities, and support than I anticipated, making it a very rewarding experience so far.