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Applications are now open. We will close the vacancies once we’ve received a sufficient number of applications.
Please apply at your earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.
A recognised Employer of Choice by Manchester Metropolitan University
We have been recognised by Manchester Metropolitan University as an 'Employer of Choice'.
This achievement highlights and celebrates the employability experiences provided to students and graduates through our strong partnership with their Careers and Employability department.
When is the 2024 intake?
Here’s what you need to know about our graduate leadership programmes in 2024.
Programme start date
9 September 2024
(for 2 or 3 years)
Starting salary
£29,500
Work location
Hybrid working
(in our newly refurbished Manchester city centre office, and working from home)
What do I need?
To apply, you’ll need to be eligible to work in the UK, and to:
-
Have or be on course for a degree
You must have achieved, or be projected to achieve, at least a 2:1 bachelor’s degree, or a 2:2 master’s degree, in any discipline.
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Have five GCSEs (or equivalent)
You must have at least five GCSEs (or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C or above (or level 4 or above).
What is a graduate programme?
On our graduate leadership programmes, you’ll learn at pace and gain exposure to senior leaders and a variety of projects and teams. You’ll get everything you need to be a future leader at our bank, all whilst working towards a relevant professional qualification.
Recruitment process
Application form (online)
First interview (online)
Assessment centre (in-person in Manchester)
Final interview (in-person in Manchester, or by video call)
Programmes available
What will I be doing?
You’ll work on several placements, each designed to develop your:
- Commercial and strategic thinking
- Negotiation, influencing and leadership skills
- Understanding of how our bank works
- Knowledge and experience.
We’ll ask you for your areas of interest and take these into consideration, along with our business needs, when deciding which placements you’ll work on.
How will I be supported?
There’s much more to our graduate programmes than on-the-job experience.
We’ll give you all the tools we can to help drive your career and develop you as one of our future leaders. You’ll have access to all the support you need, including guidance on how you can shape your own development.
Your business sponsor will review and appraise your performance, providing feedback and coaching at every step of the way, to ensure your success and personal growth.
Your senior leader mentor will work with you on a personal development plan, and ensure you get the right technical, personal and professional learning, to help you grow your skills and gain a relevant apprenticeship.
Am I a good fit?
Working in our bank involves looking at problems analytically and creatively. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and with different skillsets.
You don’t need to ‘tick each of these boxes’, but some great attributes that we look for in candidates include that:
You’re analytical
You’re good with numbers, or you enjoy problem solving
You’re creative
You’re interested in how you can develop innovative solutions to problems
You enjoy new challenges
You’re a fast learner
You have a business mindset
You have good knowledge of commercial considerations or customer relations
You’re empathetic
You’re good at ‘putting yourself in someone else’s shoes’ or you’re passionate about making a difference
You’re a leader
You’re a confident communicator, or you’re skilled in persuasion
Programmes available
Finance graduate programme (3 years)
What does the Finance team do?
We support every aspect of our bank. And we’re moving fast to make the most of our enormous potential and shape the ethical bank of the future.
What will I do during this programme?
You’ll work on both high-impact and business-as-usual projects.
You’ll get first-hand experience from several teams on your placements, which could include working on:
- Month-end processes
- Key financial controls
- Year-end results
- Maintaining good quality in our finance data
- Establishing good links across the finance teams
- Strategic projects and business management.
You’ll work towards getting a qualification in finance, such as the Associated Chartered Accountant (ACA), or another qualification from Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Where could this programme take me?
You could work in a variety of roles – some of our previous graduates went on to become: Financial Accountant, Regulatory Reporting Specialist, Financial Performance Analyst, Investor Relations Analyst and Financial Planning, and Economics Analyst.
Audit graduate programme (3 years)
What does the Audit team do?
We’re an independent voice, and provide assurance for the bank by calling out risks and ensuring effective controls are always in place to protect our customers, keep the bank safe, and support us in meeting our strategic ambitions.
What will I do during this programme?
You’ll work on both high-impact and business-as-usual projects.
You’ll get first-hand experience from several teams on your placements, which could include working on:
- Providing risk-based assurance on the bank’s operations
- Providing assurance on large changes and strategic projects, such as the implementation of a new product or system
- Providing assurance in specialist areas, such as finance, prudential risk or IT.
You’ll work towards a relevant accountancy qualification. such as the Associated Chartered Accountant (ACA).
Where could this programme take me?
You could work in a wide variety of roles – some of our previous graduates went on to become Senior Internal Auditors.
Treasury programme (3 years)
What does the Treasury team do?
We support every aspect of our bank. And we’re moving fast to make the most of our enormous potential and shape the ethical bank of the future.
What will I do during this programme?
You’ll work on projects designed to develop your commercial and strategic thinking, negotiation and influencing skills.
You’ll get first-hand experience from several teams on your placements, which could include working on:
- Treasury operations
- Treasury finance
- Treasury markets
- Capital markets
- Strategic projects and business management.
You’ll work towards getting a qualification in finance, such as the Associated Chartered Accountant (ACA), or another qualification from Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Where could this programme take me?
Our previous graduates went on to become: Treasury Specialist, Treasury Capital Markets Analyst, and Treasury Delivery Lead.
Product graduate programme (2 years)
What does the Product team do?
We design, manage and promote the products our customers need, and build lifelong connections across a range of marketing channels.
What will I do during this programme?
You’ll explore how we design our products, taking into consideration our customer needs and the commercial needs of the business.
You’ll get first-hand experience from several teams on your placements, which could include working on:
- Providing risk-based assurance on the bank’s operations
- Providing assurance on large changes and strategic projects, such as the implementation of a new product or system
- Providing assurance in specialist areas, such as finance, prudential risk or IT.
You’ll work towards a qualification through the Financial Services Professional apprenticeship.
Where could this programme take me?
You could work in a variety of roles – some of our previous graduates went on to become: Product Manager and Senior Product Owner.
Risk graduate programme (2 years, with option to extend to 3 years)
What does the Risk team do?
We help the bank manage all kinds of risk. You’ll explore how our Risk Management Framework supports us to identify, quantify, assess and mitigate the risks of doing business with our customers, as well as internal risks.
What will I do during this programme?
You’ll get first-hand experience from several teams on your placements, which could include working on:
- Credit risk – understanding who we should lend to and what to do if our customers cannot repay
- Operational risk – understanding how we manage the risk of loss from failed processes, people, systems or external events
- Capital risk – understanding how we ensure the bank can operate safely given internal and external risks (such as climate change)
- Model risk – understanding how we ensure that we consistently measure the risk of our banking operations, including our lending
- Liquidity risk – understanding how we ensure the bank is able to meet its funding needs
- Financial crime – understanding how we spot suspicious activity and prevent money laundering and fraud
- Compliance – understanding how we treat customers fairly within a regulatory framework.
You’ll work towards a qualification through the Senior Compliance and Risk Specialist apprenticeship.
Where could this programme take me?
You could work in a variety of roles – some of our previous graduates went on to become: Impairment Senior Analyst, Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Senior Analyst, Capital and Regulatory Submissions Senior Analyst, Senior Credit Risk Analyst, and Senior Compliance Oversight Analyst.
People programme (2 years)
What does the People team do?
We play a pivotal role in helping ensure our colleagues grow, develop and feel that our Bank is a great place to work. We’re responsible for recruitment, on-boarding, training, development, reward and benefits, diversity and inclusion, and business partnering.
What will I do during this programme?
You’ll work on live projects, engage with business stakeholders and build critical knowledge, skills and behaviours.
You’ll get first-hand experience from a number of teams on your placements, which could include working on:
- Designing and leading on impactful people plans
- Helping to deliver organisational effectiveness and working on strategic projects
- Supporting hiring managers and candidates through the recruitment process
- Reviewing the ways we recognise and reward our colleagues
- Coaching and supporting line managers on effectively using our People, talent management, and inclusion and diversity policies.
You’ll work towards the People Professional Apprenticeship.
Where could this programme take me?
You could work in a wide variety of roles – you could work in a variety of roles including: People Consultant, ER Consultant, Resourcing Consultant, Talent and Development Consultant.
Not found what you're looking for?
Contact our support team