Trainee – Chief Operating Office (Central Functions)

Are you looking to start your career in a role that gives you real exposure to how a large, regulated organisation operates?

The trainee role within the Chief Operating Office (COO) – Central Functions offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the organisation, supporting teams such as Compliance, Finance, Risk and Human Resources. You’ll gain hands‑on experience of governance, operations, data and risk — while working closely with senior stakeholders and building a strong foundation for your future career.

What you’ll be doing

As a Trainee in the Central Functions COO team, you’ll play an important role in keeping key support functions running smoothly. Your work will be varied, giving you exposure across several areas, including:

• Supporting management meetings and governance forums, including preparing papers, tracking actions and maintaining records

• Helping to produce clear, accurate management information and reports for senior leaders

• Coordinating operational activities such as onboarding, training tracking and internal communications

• Supporting data and resource management activities, including workforce and cost tracking

• Assisting with operational risk and control activities, including maintaining documentation, tracking issues and supporting audits

• Contributing to process improvements, documentation and standardisation initiatives

This is a developmental role, meaning your responsibility and ownership will increase as your confidence and experience grow.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for motivated individuals who are curious, organised and keen to learn. You don’t need prior experience in all areas — we’ll support your development — but you should have:

• A strong interest in how organisations operate behind the scenes

• Good attention to detail and the ability to handle information carefully and responsibly

• The ability to organise your work, manage deadlines and prioritise tasks

• Confidence working with data and everyday office tools (such as Excel and PowerPoint)

• A proactive mindset and willingness to suggest improvements

• This role is ideal for individuals looking to build a broad operational skillset with visibility across senior leadership.

What you’ll gain

• Exposure to senior leaders across Compliance, Finance, Risk and Human Resources

• A strong grounding in governance, operations and risk management

• Opportunities to develop transferable skills valued across many career paths

• The chance to make a real contribution while learning on the job

• A supportive environment focused on learning, development and continuous improvement

People join for the impact they can have on us. They stay for the impact we have on them. A flatter structure offers visibility and exposure beyond that of our competitors, so you know our names, and we know yours. It's personable, human, and inspires success through passion. By encouraging open mindedness and a willingness to share ideas, we have adapted to market changes and thrived through innovation. Bringing words like “hard work” and “dedication” together with “community” and “respect” has enabled us to work collaboratively and build our future together. We call this Team Spirit and it's what makes us different. It's what makes you different.

If you feel you have the required experience and qualifications, then please apply to the SG Resourcing Team, and we will manage your application. At Société Générale, we believe our people are our strength and are core to the success of our business. As such, we search for, recruit and appoint the best available person on the basis of aptitude and ability, regardless of sex, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, pregnancy, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or gender identity.