Graduate scheme
Everything you need to know about our Grad Scheme - which opens for 2010 intakes on 15th January 2010
The Grad Ads
Why Us?
Betfair is the world's leading online betting exchange, a concept that it pioneered. Driven by cutting-edge technology, Betfair processes more than 6 million transactions a day and more than 300 bets a second, with punters able to choose their own odds and bet against each other, even after an event has started.
Launched in 2000, Betfair is a profitable and debt-free company with annual revenues exceeding £230 million. It is a privately-owned company and Betfair is proud that a large percentage of its employees own part of the company through its SAYE scheme.
- The company now has in excess of two million registered customers with over 50% of all new registrations coming from outside the UK and Ireland.
- Betfair is a major investor in new technology and employs over 400 engineers to produce one of the fastest and most resilient betting platforms available on the internet.
- Across all its products, Betfair processes more than 5 million transactions on an average day - more than all the European stock exchanges combined - and settlement is immediate. 99.9 per cent of transactions are completed in less than one second.
- Betfair holds licences in the UK, Australia, Austria, Germany, Italy and Malta and will only operate and market in countries in which it believes that it is legally able to do so.
- Betfair employs over 1350 people globally. Its headquarters are in Hammersmith in West London, while its international business is hosted in Malta. It also has large operational bases in Stevenage and Australia with a software development business in Romania.
- It is a two-time winner of the Queen's Award for Enterprise - the only betting company in the world ever to achieve this level of recognition.
Profiles of Current Employees
The success that we have experienced can be attributed to the types of employees that Betfair recruits at all levels. Here are some examples of where our senior management have come from:
- Betfair CTO - studied Information Systems at the Nashville State Technical Institute then moved on to take up various programming, consulting and project management roles. He then joined Ingram entertainment division, as Director of Development before becoming Vice President of Information Services and Operations at Speedserve (spin out from Ingram Entertainment). The following ten years saw him in CTO roles at Buy.com, Umogul, Vodaphone and Motricity.
- MD of Exchange - spent several years as Captain of the German National Rugby Team. He has since founded and run a leading M-Payment Brand and spent over 3 years as International Vice President at Pay pal Inc.
- Director of Brand & Marketing Services - became one of the youngest Board Members at J W Thompson and then moved on to run the National Lottery Advertising Account. Before Joining Betfair, he carried out the role as MD at Virgin Games.
- Our MD for Strategy & International - graduated with a Masters Degree in Economics from Oxford University, he then spent 6 years at Accenture before completing his MBA at Insead Business School, France. Following this he carried out the role of COO at Icon Media lab and before joining Betfair spent time in Private Equity.
- Many of our Engineers have spent time at Oracle, BskyB and Accenture.
Comments from Previous Graduates:
"The Betfair scheme offers a graduate the chance to experience a great variety of projects. The range available gives a graduate a great opportunity to test themselves working in different departments. My first project involved working with the England Rugby sponsorship for our offline activity at the Investec Rugby Series. It was a project I really enjoyed and was a great first rotation, I am now in my third rotation and still love working at Betfair.
The scheme is a lot of fun, due to the exciting projects you get to work on and the people that you are working with. The business is stimulating and fast moving and I particularly like the responsibility that is installed in the graduates from an early stage."
Rich Hayward (2008 Grad)
"The Betfair graduate scheme acts as a graduate's ideal launch pad into the world of work. The scheme is structured in a way that allows you to gain an invaluable overview of Betfair as a whole, something that is not always the case on other graduate schemes, and the individual projects you undertake involve real responsibility that allow you to make real decisions.
More importantly the scheme is a lot of fun and starting with a number of other similar grads enables the forming of really good friendships from the very beginning, which is really beneficial in making you feel at home and helping you settle into working life immediately."
Michael Robb (2007 Grad)
"Despite only being here for such a short time, I have already begun to feel a valued part of the Betfair team. Grads are given responsibility for important work, which acts as a terrific platform to show what you can do.
If all my rotations continue in this trend, I will have learnt an enormous amount across the business, and be fully prepared for a successful career at Betfair."
Elliot Pollak (2007 Grad)
"One of my favourite projects was managing the production of cross sell direct marketing pieces - for Football and poker. I was given responsibility for formulating a strategic plan for the project, briefing a creative agency, overseeing the approval process and amending/rewriting the copy and final sign off"
Chris Harrison (2006 Grad)
Betfair wants to hire bright graduates to join both our Technology and Commercial Graduate Programme to work on some of the most challenging projects available in industry today.
The 19 month programme will involve six rotations across the business. While the focus of the programme will be based on your relevant discipline, it is designed to provide maximum exposure to key business areas. You will develop the core skills and knowledge to launch your career at one of the most exciting businesses in the UK.
Hear from them yourselves: Grad video
The Programme Process
- Induction, First off.... Your one month introduction to Betfair. This includes an Operational rotation spending time with Helpdesk, Outbound Sales, Registration & Payments, Telephone Betting and Technical Support Desk to understand our product in detail and the core of the business - our customers.
- Commercial Grads - Your next six rotations will involve three months spent working on specific projects in the various business areas within our Commercial Division e.g. Customer Insight/Analytics/Marketing. You will take full responsibility for these projects.
- Technical Grads - Your rotations will also involve six, three month rotations but will include four mandatory rotations in Development, Information Systems, QA and Performance and Capacity Testing. For the remainder of the programme, you are given projects from around the business to focus on according to the area you would like to specialise in.
Importantly, both Commercial and Engineering graduates are not limited to their 'side' of the business. All our Grads are encouraged to work on projects within the Commercial and Technical areas, ensuing that they are developed into well-rounded leaders.
You will receive ongoing support from your Betfair Buddy and you will be given a Mentor who will offer you strategic advice about your career at Betfair.
As well as on the job experience, you will have a full calendar of structured training sessions run by our Learning and Development Team, including psychometric profiling to identify your learning and communication style, workshops on influencing and negotiating effectively in the workplace and even fun sessions on beginner's poker!
At the end of the Programme, you will be well equipped to take a permanent position in the company should a suitable vacancy be available.
What we are looking for in our future leaders
In a snapshot....
- Superstars
- An outstanding academic record
- A desire to innovate
- People who constantly strive for the best
How to apply and what to expect
If you think you have what it takes, send your CV along with a Covering Letter to Gradjobs@betfair.com.
Once you application has been submitted, it will be screened and you may go through the following stages:
Stage 1: Initial Interview - Telephone conversation
Stage 2: Online Testing - Numerical & Verbal Reasoning
Stage 3: Assessment Centre - Presentation, face to face interview, group exercise & tour of Betfair
Stage 4: Offer - Acceptance
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How and when will I hear about my application?
Unfortunately we can only contact successful applicants throughout the process.
2. If unsuccessful, will I be considered for future Programmes?
We appreciate the fact that you are an exceptional candidate, especially if you were successfully invited for interview by us. If you weren't right for our Grad Programme, you will definitely be considered for other permanent positions in the business that might suit you, and we would encourage you to keep in touch with us.
3. How many candidates will I be up against?
This years statistics showed that we had over 1,000 applicants, 160 of which got to first stage, 70 to the next stage and 35 to final. 10 offers were accepted, so the competition was fierce. We are expecting those figures to increase next year!
4. If invited to the Assessment Centre, what should I wear?
We like to keep it casual here at Betfair but you might be asked to wear a suit on the day as it's important to make the right impression!
5. What preparation should I carry out for Assessment?
See the links from this page to our resources. Know the company and the product. Look on our website, gather figures, look at advertising, read print articles - get a feel for our business. Know as much about us as possible to get ahead of the competition. If you come prepared, it will help you relax and enjoy the day.
6. Do I need a Betfair account to apply?
No! Although we would love everyone to have experience with the product and we do encourage it, we also understand that not everyone who wants to work at Betfair is here for the betting and sports - some join us just because it's a fantastic company to work for. However, it is essential for you to know the product and how it works.
7. What is the working environment like?
Our Hammersmith offices overlook the Thames and are spacious, open-plan and contemporary. We have an on-site canteen and coffee bar, a games room, a TV room and Plasmas throughout the offices showing key sporting events. Everyone here is on a first name basis.
8. What are the working hours?
At Betfair our core working hours are from 9am until 6pm, however there will be times when deadlines and projects may require you to be flexible.
9. Can I apply to more than one position at a time?
No. You may only submit one application at a time but we are happy to review your details for future openings in the company.
10. Are there opportunities to work outside of London?
Our Head Office is in Hammersmith, however there are some opportunities which offer the chance to work in our regional offices within the UK or overseas.
11. Do you reimburse travel expenses for interviews / assessment centres?
A certain amount will be agreed on a case by case basis.
12. What are the opportunities like for career progression?
Betfair will always recognise talent and hard work. This means that career progression is essential in order to ensure our key talent can continue learning and adding value to the business. Internal movement is also encouraged.
Resources to aid your application:
Betfair Awards
Betfair Annual Results
Promotional code for a free bet
Directions to the office
BETFAIR AWARDS
Since its launch in 2000, Betfair's commitment to its core principles of innovation, fairness, business integrity and commercial excellence have been consistently recognised:
eGaming Industry Review - September 2008
Betfair wins the "Green Operator Of The Year" award as well as the "Offline Marketing Campaign" award, for the work done on the "Spring Racing 2008" Campaign.
Queen's Award for Enterprise - April 2008
Betfair wins a second Queen's Award for Enterprise, this time in the International Trade category. Winners of the award are selected on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and an independent advisory committee.
Data Strategy Awards - 2008
Betfair wins the award for Best Data Quality service, using data to make email communications more pertinent to individual customers.
eGaming Review Industry Awards - September 2007
Betfair wins the top accolade, the 'Operator of the Year' Award.
CNET Networks UK Business Technology Awards - September 2007
Betfair's Flywheel project wins 'Retail & Leisure Technology Project of the Year'.
Computer Weekly Awards - March 2007
Betfair voted the 'Best Place to Work in IT' in the entertainment and leisure category.
Citrix Customer Innovation Award - October 2006
The inaugural Citrix Innovation Awards were designed to highlight customers who demonstrate an innovative approach to transforming their business through access technologies.
eGaming Review Industry Awards - October 2006
Betfair named "Socially Responsible Operator of the Year" for the second year running, and also wins 'Hotshot Operator of the Year'.
Media Momentum Awards - May 2006
The 'Judges Award' at the Media Momentum Awards for the fastest growing media companies in the UK.
CBI Growing Business Awards - November 2005
Betfair becomes the first company ever to successfully defend its 'Company of the Year' title at the CBI Growing Business Awards.
eGaming Review Industry Awards - November 2005
Betfair named the "Socially Responsible Operator of the Year" at the inaugural eGaming Review industry awards.
C_omputer Weekly Awards - March 2005_
Betfair voted the 'Best Place to Work in IT' in the entertainment and leisure category at the 2005 Computer Weekly Awards.
CBI Growing Business Awards - December 2004
Betfair wins 'Company of the Year' at the CBI Growing Business Awards.
Queen's Award for Enterprise - April 2003
Betfair wins Queen's Award for Enterprise, in the Innovation category, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and following a full assessment by the Department of Trade and Industry.
The Ernst and Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year - October 2002
Andrew Black and Edward Wray - co-founders of Betfair - win the Ernst and Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Betfair's continuing strong growth supports investment in future opportunities
"Betfair had another very successful year; achieving 29% top line revenue growth, and has recently passed the two millionth registered customer milestone. We are consolidating our position as the betting platform for the internet with truly global reach. Over 50% of all new customers are from outside the UK and revenue from non-UK customers now accounts for 44% of total revenues. We were recognised for that achievement by winning our second Queen's Award for Enterprise, this time within the International Trade category.
The past financial year saw Betfair begin to leverage its strategic investments from previous years to deliver a 32% increase in like-for-like EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) to £42.3m. We continue to balance on-going investment with operational efficiencies and remain confident that Betfair is well positioned to meet our long-term objectives."
"Betfair has enjoyed another highly successful 12 months. We have built on significant expansion in our infrastructure during the previous year to achieve our objectives of growing top-line revenue and operating margins. We continue to adapt and lead the way in a newly-regulated betting world yet remain committed to our core principles. We would not have been able to achieve all this without the commitment and passion of our staff around the world so I would once again like to say a heartfelt thank you to them all. They continue to make Betfair what it is - betting as it should be."
David Yu, Chief Executive Officer, commented on Betfair Annual Review 2008.
www.betfaircorporate.com
Directions to Hammersmith Office
Betfair, Hammersmith Embankment, Winslow Road, London, W6 9HP
Switchboard: 020 8834 8000
By Tube:
Take the Piccadilly Line or the District Line to Hammersmith station. Please note that if you are taking the Hammersmith & City Line you will arrive at a different station and will need to go to the Piccadilly/District line station, this is across the road from the only exit.
Walking Directions from Hammersmith (District/Piccadilly) tube station:
Take the Fulham Palace Road/Hammersmith Apollo exit which will take you past TESCO METRO and through the subway. Continue straight ahead into Fulham Palace
Road
At the second set of traffic lights, turn right into Winslow road. At the end of the road you will see 2 large glass buildings. Betfair is located in the second building to your left.
By Bus:
190, 211, 220, 295. Stop in front of Charing Cross Hospital on Fulham Palace Road. Walk up Fulham Palace Road to the nearest cross road with traffic lights and turn left into Winslow road. At the end of the road you will see 2 large glass buildings. Betfair is located in the second building to your left.