Graduate Operations & Projects Associate

About us

Material Evolution is a materials technology company founded in 2020 by Dr. Liz Gilligan and Sam Clark. Headquartered in Middlesbrough, in 2024 we commissioned the UK’s largest ultra-low-carbon cement factory in Wrexham.

We exist to solve one of the world’s toughest climate problems. As a team of scientists, engineers, and commercial and operational experts, we’re rethinking how essential materials are made; starting with cement, an industry responsible for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions.

Backed by leading impact and technology investors, we’re on a mission to rapidly and radically decarbonise industrial materials. If you’re motivated by real-world impact and want to work close to the heart of a purpose-driven business, you’ll feel at home here.

The Role

This role is a fixed term contract (FTC) of 6 months with the potential to be extended to 12 months.

You will sit at the centre of how projects and day-to-day operations are coordinated and administrated at Material Evolution.

As a Graduate Operations Associate, you’ll support project delivery by tracking actions, maintaining clear documentation, and helping ensure teams stay aligned and on schedule. Alongside this, you’ll take on core administrative responsibilities that keep the business running smoothly, from organising information and coordinating meetings to supporting logistics and maintaining accurate records.

You’ll work closely with engineers, scientists, and operations teams, helping turn plans into execution by keeping the details under control end-to-end. This is a hands-on role where organisation, reliability, and proactivity are key. If you’re a positive, self-starter this role is for you.

You won’t be managing projects, but you will play an important role in keeping them moving and building the operational backbone of a fast-growing company.

What You'll Be Doing

Support Real Project Delivery

• Maintain project trackers, action logs, and milestone plans
• Monitor key tasks and deadlines across multiple projects
• Follow up with teams to keep work progressing on schedule

Coordinate Teams and Information

• Help coordinate activities across technical, operational, and commercial teams
• Organise project meetings and track follow-up actions
• Ensure teams have the information and documentation they need to move forward

Keep Projects Organised

• Maintain structured documentation and shared records
• Support preparation of project reports, presentations, and updates
• Help ensure decisions, changes, and actions are captured clearly

Support Operational Logistics

• Help coordinate meetings, site visits, and project logistics
• Assist with travel arrangements and operational planning
• Support onboarding and coordination for visitors and new team members

Improve How We Work

• Help identify ways to make our internal processes clearer and more efficient
• Contribute to building systems that help a fast-growing company stay organised

What We’re Looking For

We’re less concerned with your degree subject and more interested in how you think and work.

You’ll likely thrive in this role if you are:

• Highly organised and naturally structured in how you approach work
• Detail-oriented and comfortable managing multiple tasks at once
• Proactive and confident following up with people to keep things moving
• Curious about how complex projects actually get delivered
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment

Requirements

• A degree (any discipline) or equivalent experience
• Strong Microsoft Office and general IT skills
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Ability to manage priorities and stay organised under pressure
• Confident to speak on the phone

Why This Role Is Different

Many graduate roles keep you far away from the real work.

In this role you will:

• Work closely with scientists, engineers, and business leaders
• Gain exposure to real industrial project delivery
• Learn how a climate-tech company scales manufacturing
• Build skills in project coordination, operations, and execution

It’s an excellent starting point for careers in:

• operations
• project management
• manufacturing
• industrial technology
• start-ups

Benefits

Our Benefits and Perks:

At Material Evolution, we provide everything you need to perform at your best. Our rewards, benefits, and initiatives are designed to support your career growth, enhance your well-being, and contribute positively to our community.

Along with a competitive salary, we offer an outstanding benefits package, including 25 days holiday (plus an extra day for your birthday), access to a learning & development budget, and social events. At Material Evolution, we are passionate about well-being and have partnered with a leading healthcare provider.

We’re creating an environment and culture where every individual feels safe and empowered to do their best work. We believe in everyone being treated and paid fairly, no matter their age, sex, ethnic background, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.