- Contract: 12-13months FTC
- Start dates are usually in June/July
- 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 New Business Centre as a Finance and Lending Undergraduate, where you will learn how underwriting decisions support good customer outcomes, responsible lending and the wider retailer network. This is a fast-paced, decision-focused placement for someone who enjoys problem solving and applying clear procedures to real lending applications. If you want an underwriting and customer focused placement where your work contributes to real business outcomes, we want to hear from you!
What will you be doing?
- Support underwriting activity for retail and corporate customer applications within defined procedural guidelines.
- Help ensure underwriting service level agreements are met, and customer applications are handled efficiently.
- Assess and verify customer documentation, including proofs of identification and affordability information.
- Receive and professionally handle calls and queries from the retailer network.
- Support stakeholder engagement with retailers, Sales teams and internal departments.
- Investigate referrals and follow key controls to protect company interests.
- Identify opportunities for improvement and support initiatives championed by the New Business Leadership team.
What are we looking for?
- Previous customer service, call centre or financial services experience would be useful but is not essential.
- Full PC literacy with the ability to learn new systems and applications.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- A systematic thought process and confidence making decisions within guidance.
- Ability to understand and interpret financial information.
- Strong focus on good customer outcomes.
- Ability to manage high volumes of work, meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities.
- Persuasive telephone technique and confidence managing retailer stakeholders.
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.