Business Control Undergraduate Placement

Vwfs; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus: discretionary

Car schemes

Pension and life assurance

Job summary

VWFS is offering an undergraduate placement in the Business Control team within Risk & Controlling in Milton Keynes. You will support sales growth, margin improvement, and business development through performance reporting, analysis, and commercial decision support.

We require you to be studying for an undergraduate degree with a placement year; master’s students are not eligible. Hybrid work policy expects 3 days in the office weekly, with potential additional in-person days as needed.

Qualifications

• Currently studying a business/finance or related degree that requires a placement year.
• Strong numeracy and data analysis skills with attention to detail.
• Strong IT skills, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Tableau or similar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with the ability to engage large teams.
• Logical, adaptable and proactive problem-solving approach.
• Interest in the automotive sector and how commercial decisions drive business performance.
• Ability to organise workload and meet deadlines with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scheduled and ad hoc reporting on profit and performance, including month-end activity.
• Update and analyse reports and processes used to support business decision making.
• Support business cases and growth plans to improve business performance.
• Collate, interrogate and analyse datasets across Contract Hire, Finance Lease, Corporate and Value Added Products.
• Track, review and evaluate Retailer Terms on a quarterly basis.
• Support auditing, reconciliation, and invoicing of tactical investments.

Skills

Excel

Analytical thinking

Communication

Tableau

Education

Undergraduate degree with placement year

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

About The Role

Location: Milton Keynes

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

Salary: £23,915.49

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.

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 two undergraduates to join our Business Control team within Risk & Controlling as a Business Controller Undergraduate. You will have the chance to support sales growth, margin improvement, and business development through performance reporting, analysis, and commercial decision support. If you’re eager to kick‑start your career, possess a good understanding of business performance, finance, data analysis and commercial decision making, and have a genuine passion for the field, we want to hear from you!

What will you be doing?

• Design and develop scheduled and ad hoc reporting on profit and performance, including month-end activity.
• Update and analyse reports and processes used to support business decision making.
• Support business cases and growth plans to improve business performance.
• Collate, interrogate and analyse datasets across Contract Hire, Finance Lease, Corporate and Value Added Products.
• Track, review and evaluate Retailer Terms on a quarterly basis.
• Support auditing, reconciliation, and invoicing of tactical investments.

What are we looking for?

• Currently studying a business, finance or related degree that requires a placement year.
• Research and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail and numeracy.
• Strong IT skills, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint and ideally Tableau or similar.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage large teams.
• Logical, adaptable, and proactive approach to problem solving.
• Interest in the automotive sector and how commercial decisions drive business performance.
• Ability to organise workload, meet deadlines, and work effectively with stakeholders.

About Us

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.