Risk Management Undergraduate Placement

Location: Milton Keynes

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

Salary: £23,915.49

Contract: 12-13months FTC Start dates are June/July 2027

Hybrid working: We want you to get the best out of your placement, so we operate a hybrid policy where undergraduates work in the office 3 days per week. There may be times where you will need to be in more frequently depending on the needs of the business.

To apply for our undergraduate placement scheme, you must be studying for an undergraduate degree that requires a placement year. Master’s students are not eligible for this placement.

Please consider before applying if you live more than 60 minutes away from post code MK15 8HG, that you would need to relocate to either Milton Keynes or be a commutable distance (within 60 minutes).

We’re looking for an undergraduate to join our Risk Management team as a Risk Management Undergraduate. You’ll turn complex portfolio data into clear insight, helping us identify and monitor credit risk across a portfolio of approximately one million agreements worth more than £17 billion. You’ll produce reporting for senior management and regulatory requirements, investigate the story behind movements in the data, and build valuable skills in risk analysis, reporting and process improvement. If you’re numerate, inquisitive and interested in finance or financial risk, we want to hear from you!

What will you be doing?

• Produce accurate daily credit risk reporting for corporate customer portfolios, alongside monthly and quarterly reporting for senior management and VWFS headquarters in Germany.
• Monitor and analyse key performance indicators, investigate movements in financial figures and explain the risk story behind changes in the portfolio.
• Create Credit and Lending Risk Committee reporting using Excel, Tableau and Python, and support forecasting of how changes in the UK economy could affect portfolio performance.
• Deliver ad hoc analysis for Risk and Finance, while completing a longer-term project to improve team efficiency and enhance reporting or analytics processes.

What are we looking for?

• Currently studying towards an undergraduate degree that requires a placement year, preferably in Economics, Business or a related field.
• Good knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Office applications, with a willingness to learn Tableau, Python and other data-reporting tools.
• Strong analytical mindset and excellent problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to manage relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Self -motivated, with excellent organisational skills and ability to use own initiative
• A proactive and flexible approach with the ability to react appropriately and effectively to changing circumstances and demands
• Ability to work both independently and effectively within a team
• Highly numerate and able to interpret reports, challenge outputs and explain the story behind the numbers, with a genuine interest in finance or financial risk.

Why apply for an undergraduate placement with VWFS?

Here at VWFS you'll be able to kick start your professional experience in the workplace. We take on 49 undergraduates each year which we find really helps our undergraduates as you all go through the programme, building your knowledge and networks together.

You’ll also benefit from:

• A focus on personal development with access to LinkedIn Learning via our ‘Degreed’ platform and a bespoke development programme throughout your placement year delivering personal management, technical and soft skills including building successful relationships, presentation skills, IT skills and data literacy.
• A supportive environment and network of colleagues to help you get your best out of the year - in a recent survey, 100% of our undergraduates said they felt valued and supported.
• The opportunity to work on real life business projects and deliver impact around topics like sustainability.
• Subsidised onsite canteen and coffee shop
• Subsidised onsite restaurant with a range of hot and cold breakfast and lunches.
• Employee Resource Groups supporting an inclusive workplace
• Social gatherings and team events & volunteering opportunities.
• Physical and mental health support with our Onsite Wellbeing Centre

Discretionary benefits include:

Bonus: Discretionary bonus based on both personal and Group company performance (pro-rated)

Car schemes*: The opportunity to join our popular car scheme plus car insurance cover.

Pension: Employer pension contribution of 9% (based on employee contribution of 3%). VWFS will pay 6% if employee chooses a 2% employee contribution. From day 1 we provide income protection, life assurance (4x salary), will writing, retail discount vouchers, access to Care Concierge (a service to support carers of adults). Private medical insurance is available following successful completion of probation.

What our recruitment process looks like:

• Apply and upload your CV, covering letter and answer a few application questions.
• You’ll be invited to complete a Situational Judgement Test. This is a short multiple-choice question set to help us understand how you may approach situations.
• If you pass this stage, you will be invited to complete an online video interview where you will have the opportunity to tell us more about yourself.
• If successful, your last step in the journey is to attend an in-person Assessment Centre at our Milton Keynes office. You’ll also meet some of our managers and our current undergraduates to find out more about a placement year with us.

Please note:

Our undergraduate placement roles do not meet the UKVI’s criteria for the skilled worker sponsorship route, therefore we are unable to accept candidates requiring sponsorship for this role.

• More information about car schemes

Our current car schemes are under review following changes in legislation from HMRC and so whilst we don’t have full details of our car scheme to share with you now, we will let you know what this looks like as soon as we are able.

Please do not apply for more than one placement role with us. This will ensure that you are considered for the placement that you are most interested in, and your skills are aligned to.

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