At a Glance
- Tasks: Support HR operations, employee relations, and community initiatives in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join VWFS, a supportive and innovative workplace focused on personal development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, personal development programmes, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Enjoy social events, volunteering opportunities, and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on HR experience while making a real impact in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Studying towards an HR or business-related degree with strong Excel and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40209 - 49145 £ per year.
Location: Milton Keynes
Closing Date: 30th September 2026
Salary: £23,915.49
Contract: 12-13 months FTC
Start dates are usually in June/July.
Hybrid working: 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).
Are you organised, proactive and interested in gaining broad experience across HR? We're looking for an undergraduate to join our HR team as an HR Operations Undergraduate. You'll support key activity across Employee Relations, HR Compliance, Culture & Engagement, DEI, community initiatives, colleague communications, data reporting and annual HR cycles, giving you exposure to a varied and meaningful HR placement year.
What will you be doing?
- Collaborate with the Employee Relations & HR Compliance Manager and wider HR function to produce MI for regular reporting cycles for key stakeholders, including Board of Management, risk committees and HQ.
- Support the preparation of annual MI packs for each functional business area and VWFS UK.
- Support the planning, coordination and administration of DEI-focused activities.
- Manage colleague communications and help oversee DEI and Community intranet content in collaboration with Internal Communications.
- Support VWFS in the Community activity, including volunteering opportunities, matched funding requests, reporting, request management and audit records.
- Support Community Committee meetings, including minute-taking, and manage the Community Committee and Inclusion mailboxes.
- Support employee engagement surveys and assist with ad-hoc activity across HR Operations, Culture & Engagement and the wider HR team.
What are we looking for?
- Studying towards a degree, preferably HR, business or people related.
- Intermediate/strong Excel and PowerPoint skills, with Tableau capability beneficial.
- Clear and confident communication skills with colleagues at all levels, both verbally and in writing.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a large variety of tasks in a busy environment.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail, especially when handling complex, confidential or sensitive information.
- A flexible team player who is proactive, willing to support others and able to adapt to team pressures and demands.
- Curiosity to explore, research and use initiative to solve queries and support projects.
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.
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.
HR Operations Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes employer: VWFS
VWFS is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, providing undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience in accounting controls. Located in Milton Keynes, the hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you develop essential skills in financial reporting and data analysis, all within a supportive team environment that prioritises employee growth and meaningful contributions to real business outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Operations Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes
✨Get Involved with HR Communities
Join online HR communities like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or local HR meet-ups for valuable networking. These are great places to connect with seasoned professionals and fellow interns who might know about placement opportunities.
✨Maximise Your University Career Services
Utilise your university's career services for placement opportunities. They often have partnerships with companies looking to hire students, so leverage that to get the inside track on openings at places like VWFS.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
In HR, soft skills like communication and empathy are critical. In your interviews, share stories that highlight these skills, and don’t forget to mention any relevant volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your people skills.
✨Tailor Your Application for Each Company
Every company has its own culture and values. Research VWFS thoroughly and reflect this understanding in your interviews or conversations. Showing that you fit into their culture can make a significant difference in landing your placement.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Operations Undergraduate Placement in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your people skills:In the HR world, your ability to connect with people is key! When writing your cover letter, give examples of how you've handled team dynamics or resolved conflicts. Even if it’s from uni projects or part-time jobs, let us see you in action!
Highlight Relevant Studies and Projects:If you've taken any specific courses or have done projects related to HR, seriously brag about them in your CV! Mention key topics you've studied, like recruitment strategies or employee engagement, as they show you're already invested in the field.
Tailor Your Documents to HR Language:Use relevant HR jargon in your CV and cover letter. Words like 'talent acquisition', 'employee relations', and 'performance management' will make your application stand out as it signals that you know your stuff in the HR world!
Share Your Career Aspirations:As this is a placement, we want to see your motivation to learn and grow in the HR field. Use your cover letter to describe why you're passionate about HR and how this placement at VWFS aligns with your career goals. Show us your enthusiasm!
How to prepare for a job interview at VWFS
✨Get Familiar with HR Tools
Since you're aiming for a role in human resources, it’s super beneficial to be familiar with HR software like Workday or BambooHR. If you can, brush up on how these tools work as you'll likely be asked about them during your interview at VWFS.
✨Show Off Your People Skills
As an HR intern, your ability to connect with people is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences—whether in group projects or volunteer work—where you had to handle conflicts or support team members. This'll show that you can translate theory into practice, which is crucial for us when we look for placements.
✨Understand the Latest HR Trends
Keep yourself updated on current trends in the HR field, like diversity and inclusion practices or remote work strategies. Bring up these topics during your interview to show your enthusiasm and awareness of the industry changes; it can set you apart at VWFS.
✨Craft Your Learning Story
Since this is a placement, the focus should be on your motivation and willingness to learn. Be ready to share why you’re excited about joining VWFS and what specific skills you hope to gain. This will help us see your potential and fit for the team.
