Retail Head Office Graduate Programme
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Position Overview & Specifications
24-month programme starting September 2023
Location: London & Swindon
Are you ready to kick start a retail career in an innovative and international business? Look no further than WHSmith’s Retail Head Office Graduate Programme
What you’ll do:
You’ll learn all about retail through an exciting 24-month programme, developing technical, behavioural and leadership skills throughout
We have exciting opportunities in our Commercial, International, Finance, Merchandising, Space & Format, Operations and Technology teams.
The 24 months will be split into placements to give you well-rounded development. From spending time with our stores, our logistics teams and rotations in departments around the business, before getting stuck into your specialism.
What’s in it for you?
You’ll be joining an International business with ambitious growth plans. You might be learning the ropes – but you’ll still have responsibility as you learn crucial project management skills. Expect to deliver ‘real work’ contributing to a wider team. Rest assured that you’ll get support and plenty of on-the-job training. And when the program is up? You’ll still have our support.
We’ll give you a ‘Sponsor’ to guide your ongoing career progression. Want more? You’ll also receive a range of flexible benefits, from staff discounts to 24 days’ holiday (and the option to buy more). Plus, a pension, your birthday off and an early finish on Fridays. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll welcome your drive and smart ideas. In our business, fresh thinking can take you anywhere –start your career journey with us today!
Who we’re looking for:
At WHSmith, results and performance are key. You need to be self-motivated and highly commercial with strong numerical and analytical skills.
You will have a minimum 2:2 Honours Degree (or be on track to achieve a 2:2). But what will really count is an entrepreneurial approach. Wherever you join and in whichever function, where you go from there is up to you. Choose your direction and develop your interests, and we’ll give you the support to progress.
You will need to be flexible to travel between our London and Swindon Support Centres where our teams are based.
We are holding Assessment Centre on the 28th March 2023 in London, so we advise you apply as soon as possible!
About us
WHSmith is a leading, global travel retailer for the world’s travelling customer. Since 1792, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey.
Today, we have more than 1,700 stores in over 30 countries across the globe, serving millions of customers every year. In the UK, you’ll find us at airports, railway stations, hospitals, motorway service areas and of course on the High Street. Making our customers' journeys easier is our passion. Whether they're travelling by air, by foot, by road or by train, we are there for them.
As a diverse group of over twelve thousand colleagues, our people and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. And we know to succeed on our own journey, we need the best people.
Closing Date 17th March 2023
Format of Business
BuyingFull Time / Part Time
Full TimePosition Type
PermanentSalary From
£CompetitiveSalary To
£CompetitiveHours / Week
36.25Country
UKCounty
Greater LondonJob Code / Grade
CPost Code
EC3A 7BXCandidate Selection & Onboarding Process
Application & Resume Screening
Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.
Technical & Competency Interviews
Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.
Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation
Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.
Onboarding & Corporate Integration
Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.
United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide
Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:
Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or occupation going rate.
Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.
Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Other Retail Shops
Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for Retail Head Office Graduate Programme roles across WHSmith's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:
Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Other Retail Shops.
STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.
Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked Salary Disclosed on Application bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.
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