The 3 finance graduate programmes
In Novo Nordisk we have 3 different finance graduate programmes:
- Corporate Finance
- Europe Finance
- International Operations Finance
All programmes take 2 years and focus on finance and the related processes. No matter what programme you choose you will have a wide range of international opportunities within the finance organisation in Novo Nordisk when completing the programme. The differences between the 3 programmes are:
- In Corporate Finance you will start your programme in our corporate headquarters in Denmark, have 3 rotations in Denmark and 1 rotation outside Denmark, and when completing the programme you will typically get your first permanent position in Denmark. Since Novo Nordisk is a global company there will of course always be plenty of opportunities to work abroad during your career
- In Europe Finance you will start your programme in our European regional headquarters in Zurich, have 1 rotation in Zurich, 1 rotation in the corporate headquarters in Denmark and 1 rotation in a large sales affiliate in Europe. When completing the programme you will typically get your first permanent position in the European finance organisation
- In International Operations Finance you will start your programme in one of our large sales affiliate offices, including places like Turkey, India, Russia or Brazil among others. You will have 1 rotation in the sales affiliate, 1 rotation in the sales affiliate’s business area headquarters, 1 rotation in the corporate headquarters in Denmark and 1 rotation in the International Operations regional headquarters in Zurich. When completing the programme you will typically get your first permanent position in the International Operations finance organisation, which covers Latin America, Africa and Gulf and most of Asia.
The application process of the Corporate Finance and Europe Finance programmes is combined and the key recruitment event takes place in Copenhagen in March. You have the possibility to apply for both programmes in the same application.
The application process for the International Operations Finance programme is done locally in the country of hire.
You can read more about the recruitment process here.
Additional information about Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance is responsible for determining the overall finance strategy for the organisation and for driving the progress of the entire Corporate Finance portfolio, so ensuring an optimal and balanced risk profile.
We focus on driving competitive value creation. This means transforming numbers into more than reporting, controlling and accounting and creating a solid platform upon which to stand and reach even higher than we have historically.
Managing assets and funds, ensuring financial compliance, making and challenging decisions, and handling risks proactively are just a few of our activities.
We support the organisation by servicing our customers, optimising global processes and communicating effectively with our stakeholders. This includes aligning key business processes across Corporate Finance.
We have more than 350 employees working in Corporate Finance: Around 300 at our headquarters in Denmark and more than 55 at our corporate hub in Bangalore in India. In addition to Corporate Finance we are more than 400 finance employees in Global Finance located at our affiliates around the world.
In Corporate Finance we aim to create a challenging and engaging workplace with global career opportunities by building talent and developing skills, enhancing a business mindset and supporting a winning culture.
What you’ll be doing
You will be an instrumental part in ensuring that the Novo Nordisk Global Finance organisation achieves our vision of being the best finance operation in the global pharma industry.
You will be part of various dynamic teams, each of which are providing Novo Nordisk with a competitive edge and driving shareholder return. The areas of expertise where you will gain invaluable experience include:
- Financial planning, analysis and controlling
- Management reporting & external reporting
- Project management
- Risk management
- Tax & treasury planning
- Assignments in corporate sourcing & shared service center
Scope of the programme
As the overall theme of the Global Finance Strategy is to be business partners with our customers in the Novo Nordisk organisation, it is essential to understand the customer needs as well as the underlying business behind the numbers.
Therefore, the Corporate Finance Graduate Programme includes four rotations of six months, with each period enhancing your business understanding and financial skills. As a Corporate Finance Graduate you will be based in the Novo Nordisk headquarters in Copenhagen, and you will have at least one rotation abroad in a regional or affiliate office. Our most recent graduates have enjoyed rotations in countries as far apart as Japan, Belgium, Brazil, Greece, India, China, Turkey and the UK. Besides the competency building rotations, your professional and personal development will be further accelerated by prioritised training and dedicated coaching from senior managers.
Rotation details
In the Corporate Finance Graduate programme there are four rotations of six months. Three rotations are in the Danish headquarters selected between key functions such as Treasury, Corporate Financial Planning, Finance Projects, Corporate Sourcing, Corporate Tax, Business Development and others.
The graduate takes up full positions and learns the finance skills relevant to the rotation. Additionally, the graduate spends 30%-80% of the time on key change projects. The rotations are signified by a steep learning curve and high expectations of the graduates.
Requirements
The foundation for fully benefiting from the Corporate Finance Graduate Programme is a recently completed Master’s degree in finance, economics or business
– with an outstanding academic record. To be problem-solvers and decision makers in a global organisation, you will also need an international mindset, plenty of drive, good organisational skills and excellent interpersonal skills. If you’re also an outgoing and solid team player, you might be just the person we think could make a difference at Novo Nordisk.
Jimi Kehlet Frederiksen
Jimi is 25, Danish by origin and has a Master's degree in Mangement Accounting and controlling
“I believe that you learn the most by working with the best people in your industry. Exposure to great talent and the possibility to network at all levels of a company are, in my mind, crucial if you want to be a success. Base Camp gives me all this, and more.”
Feeling proud
Feeling proud I first really got to know about Novo Nordisk and its Base Camp graduate programme by attending a dinner at my university hosted by Novo Nordisk. I remember being impressed with the way employees at the dinner spoke with such evident pride about what they did and who they worked for. At the time, I didn't mind what kind of company I worked for or what business they were in, as long as they offered me career development. But I was intrigued to see people so obviously proud of where they worked.
Now, after joining Base Camp, I can honestly say I am experiencing the same sense of pride. I sometimes find it hard to explain to people outside the company where this pride comes from. But we actually do live by our company vision and values. We do make a difference to society. I believe it is my job to protect the company by shielding it from financial risks, so enabling us to continue to save lives. And now I 'burn' to work for Novo Nordisk.
Exposure to great talent
In Denmark, Novo Nordisk has a great reputation as being THE place to work. The company therefore attracts the best individuals in finance and these are the people I'm learning from. I personally believe that you only get the chance to network and learn from the most talented people by working for a big company.
In addition, Novo Nordisk's finance department has a relatively flat hierarchy compared with some companies or departments and as part of Base Camp I get to interact with all levels of employees, right up to the chief financial officer. Such exposure can only help my career development.
Strong guidance
As a Base Camp graduate I am given an amazing amount of support and guidance. I have a programme manager for the two-year duration of Base Camp and a mentor who gives me advice on building relationships with different stakeholders in the company. I have a different manager for each of my rotations and then last, but by no means least; I have my colleagues who are so very knowledgeable. I also take part in a great number of excellent training courses. I feel well and truly taken care of.
I get the feeling that a few of my colleagues are envious (in the nicest possible way!) of us graduates. They get the same opportunities for networking and training, but not in such an intensely short space of time. But my colleagues treat me as an equal, not as a temp or a trainee, even though with the rotations I am usually the new guy, and for that I am grateful.
