Finance Graduate Programme 2024

Job Description

We are looking for outstanding multi-lingual (European) Finance and Business graduates to join our Finance graduate programme, beginning in September 2024. The programme offers a fantastic opportunity to become a member of our global, professional financecommunity; contributing to business operations, sustainability, and influential projects to provide exciting opportunities for your future career, as well as completing an accountancy accreditation along the way.We aim to recruit and build a strong pool of internationally agile talent, supporting business growth and transformation with adaptable resources, who have the potential to become future leaders.Who are DS SmithYou might not have heard of us before, but you will likely have handled our products on a daily basis. We are the leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services. We’ve been around for over eighty years and operatein over thirty countries across the UK, Europe and the United States. From food and beverage packaging in your local supermarket to every Amazon parcel which arrives at your door, DS Smith has created packaging, which is innovative, secure and kinder to ourplanet.About the programmeYou will undertake three 12-month placements across the Group, giving you the chance to understand the varying areas of finance.Traditionally the three years will see you working at a Shared Service Centre, a production site and a Divisional / Regional Office. All placements will be determined by factors including your development, language capabilities and business needs.Over the course of the programme, you will gain broad financial experience and exposure to senior stakeholders in a commercially focused environment, as well as the chance to work on career enhancing projects. In addition, you will complete an accountancyaccreditation with CIMA by the end of your final year.PlacementsYour first placement will take place in Caerphilly (near Cardiff, South Wales, UK) within our Business Service Centre where you will learn the end-to-end lifecycle of finance and accountancy. Business Services provides the foundations of our finance andaccounting function and are dedicated to delivering exceptional support to the entire company.As part of the programme, one of your placements will take place in a country outside of the one you are contracted to, therefore being able to speak a 2nd European language is vital. Giving you the opportunity to understand our broader business and thevarying cultures we work within.DevelopmentAlongside your CIMA accreditation studies, you will go on the DS Smith Graduate Journey where you will have a roadmap of development to support your career. When you join us, you will be given a full induction to the business, including a tour of some ofour paper, packaging, and innovation centres.In year one, you will learn about Self Leadership and Personal Effectiveness, while in year two, you will learn about leadership, stakeholder management influencing. Finally, when the programme ends, you will deliver a presentation about your learnings,celebrate your success with a graduation dinner and work with your Talent Lead to find the best permanent home for you.But do not worry, you will not be doing this alone. You will have a network of graduates to bounce ideas off, be given a mentor and a former graduate will be there for guidance and support throughout your journey.About youTo be considered for this role you must have as a minimum:

• A degree in a finance or business discipline (or due to complete this before the 2nd September 2024).
• Be able to start in the business full time on 2nd September 2024.
• Have a keen interest in finance and numbers.
• Speak fluent English and another European language, preferably Spanish, French, or German (minimum B2 level for additional language).
• Hold the relevant right to work within the UK and/or the EU.
• Be fully flexible and geographically mobile.
• You must also have a valid driving licence as driving to sites will be essential for some of the placements.

BenefitsSo, what is in it for you

• A starting salary of £30,000.
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• CIMA accreditation.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Life Insurance.
• Income Protection.
• Employee Assistance Programme with access up to 8x free counselling sessions per year.

*Assessment centres will take place remotely on the 19th and 20th March and applicants will need to ensure they’re free on one of those dates to be considered for the role.

Keyskills :
Finance Languages European languages