Corporate Finance Placement Year 2026
Location: Leeds
Employment Type: Fixed Term - 1 Year Internship, Full Time
Grade: Associate
Hybrid
REQ003528
“This is a fantastic opportunity for undergraduates seeking hands-on experience in corporate finance.”
We are currently taking applications for undergraduates looking to pursue a placement year starting in June 2026. This role will be 1 year placement in our vibrant Leeds office and there will be several positions available and the possibility of a Graduate role in the future.
As well as as the essential criteria listed in the job description below, we also ask all applicants to:
- Please include a coversheet as the first page of your cv.
- Have the ability to work from our London office for the duration of the placement.
- Include details of module scores/grades thus far in your degree and all A'level results (or equivalent)
Current application closing date: 28/11/2025
Interview anticipated in December.
About XPS Group
XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.
About The Role
XPS Covenant incorporating Penfida provides a full range of covenant and broader corporate finance advisory services ranging from regular covenant evaluation, where we properly consider the extent to which environmental, social and governance forces may impact the sponsor, its sector and its markets, through to affordability assessment and monitoring, and advice in specific situations, such as corporate transactions, restructurings, refinancings, contingent asset arrangements and scheme events.
We advise Trustees and Corporate clients on a wide range of areas, including:
- Assessing the strengths and risks inherent in the ability for a company to support its scheme, both now and over the longer term
- As part of this, we undertake a valuation of the company and an analysis of affordability in the context of commitments to all stakeholders
- Our approach is based on well-established corporate finance techniques
- Supporting our trustee clients in anticipating potential corporate activity and understanding its impact on the scheme from a technical, financial and regulatory perspective and executing plans for the scheme to facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes
- Corporate activity – whether M&A, disposals, refinancing or restructurings can have a significant impact on a scheme
- Our background as corporate finance advisers means we have extensive experience of the complexities of such transactions and how to evaluate and navigate through them
- Working closely with schemes and sponsors to establish an integrated risk management framework (working with actuaries and investment advisers) and provide analysis and advice to help determine an appropriate balance of covenant, funding and investment risk to optimise scheme outcomes
- Other services include analysis of the strength of insurance companies who provide buy outs and buy ins, PPF levy support and advice in connection with developing contingent asset protections, asset backed funding structures and project financing
We are very ambitious and want to continue our strong growth.
Key Responsibilities
Your principal responsibilities will include:
- Undertaking financial analysis of sponsors, including modelling
- Conducting industry research and evaluating key strategic issues faced by particular sponsors
- Developing an understanding of the specific issues that affect pension schemes
- Due to the changing nature of the business, the job holder may from time to time be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within their capabilities.
What You Will Learn
- Fundamental financial analysis (P&L, cash flow and balance sheet)
- Basic and advanced modelling techniques
- Understanding of restructuring and M&A processes
- Report writing and presentation skills
- Broader regulatory perspectives
Essential
Your Profile:
- Ability to work well in a small team
- Successful candidates will have excellent communication and organisation skills and the ability to “think outside the box”
- This role requires you to be working towards a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in any discipline. Please ensure that you include individual module marks for your university degree course to date within your CV.
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Demonstrable interest in assessing the relative strengths and weaknesses of businesses
- Awareness of recent key developments in the macroeconomic environment and the pensions industry
- Understanding of key financial terms and valuation metrics
- Good knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint
What We Offer
Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days’ holiday with buy/sell flexibility. Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts. We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance, and digital GP service. Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available. Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.
How To Apply
Interested candidates should submit applications via Apply Now option or contact recruitment@xpsplc.com for more information. Join XPS Group and contribute to a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
Equal Opportunities Statement
XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.
Eligibility
Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, Satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.
Who Are We
To find out more please visit: www.xpsgroup.com
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