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Applications for the Creative Management track 2024 are accepted until April 1.

Bertelsmann Future Leaders Creative Management

Ready to lead with creativity?

You have a creative mind, are keen to take on responsibility and want to break new ground? But you keep hearing that humanities graduates can’t become managers?

At Bertelsmann, we see things differently. We value your fresh perspective and your ideas. That’s why the Creative Management Track of our Future Leaders Graduate Program will take you exactly where you want to go. Over the course of 12 months, you will immerse yourself into our various businesses, such as: 300 publishing houses, 56 TV stations and a music label. And these are just some of the companies that await you. We will support you along the way with tailored training and career coaching.

We offer you

  1. 1.
    Global network and community
  2. 2.
    Acquisition of advanced business administration expertise
  3. 3.
    Individual career coaching, consulting, and targeted trainings
  4. 4.
    Excellent career prospects and a salary of about €45.000 to €50.000 a year
  5. 5.
    Work experience in different cities and multiple teams

What you should bring to be a Creative Future Leader

At Bertelsmann, the overall picture of your profile, not just your degree determines your fit to the program. However, you should meet these qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in humanities, social sciences, political science, media, linguistics or communication
  • Relevant internships in media and/or business environments
  • Fluency in both German and English
  • Excellent analytical and communication skills
  • Willingness to relocate several times
„The graduate program broadened my horizons enormously and showed me that I’m not just a journalist. I now know that I’m also a manager. There is no need to be intimidated as really everything is learnable.“
Mirijam Trunk, Alumna – Chief Crossmedia Officer & Chief Sustainability & Diversity Officer at RTL Deutschland

During our 12-month Creative Management Graduate Program, you will

  • Get to know the different divisions and jobs within our group
  • Work in a variety of teams in cities across Germany and potentially other European countries
  • Implement new ideas in an international media company and make it fit for the future
  • Develop and implement innovative business models
  • Change the industry with your creative mind and fresh perspective
  • and much more...

At a glance

  1. Application period: February 5 - April 1, 2024
  2. Start: September
  3. Duration: 12 months
  4. Languages: German (and English)
„The great thing about the Creative Management Graduate Program is gaining hands-on business experience. I got straight down to doing practical work rather than just theoretically learning business administration in a university. It’s the best way to learn.“
Lea Stöger, Alumna – Director Global Strategy & Corporate Development at Penguin Random House

Your application

  1. 1.
    Apply online
  2. 2.
    Take part in an online test
  3. 3.
    Prove your potential in an assessment center
  4. 4.
    Start as a Future Leaders trainee

Get to know our trainee Jana

I'm Jana Burnikel and I studied German, English and American Studies in my hometown Saarbrücken, but later I also took modules in Entrepreneurship and Economics. I was able to further strengthen the business side of things through an internship at a beauty tech startup in New York and by founding my own company. Before starting the graduate program, I worked as a business development manager in an IT security incubator. Moreover, I did a PhD on "AI in Anglophone Media Products" at Saarland University and also taught on that subject.

Jana found her "perfect match" in the Creative Management Track and has already completed various rotations.

 

Learn more

FAQ

  • Bertelsmann Future Leaders | Creative Management

    • What are the eligibility requirements?

      For the Creative Management Graduate Program, we are looking for master’s graduates who have completed their degree within the standard period of study and are among the best in their field. Fluency in both English and German is required for the position. Other selection criteria include the knowledge and experience you have gained during your academic career, as well as internships or projects. However, the overall picture of your profile, not just your degree or your resume determines the fit to the program.

    • I have a minor in business administration. Will that be an advantage?

      We welcome any knowledge of business administration. The focus of your studies, however, should be on the humanities.

    • How important is practical experience?

      We welcome it if you have already gained some practical experience in business, for example, during a longer internship.

    • What divisions will I be working at?

      During the 12-month graduate program, you will get to know a wide range of different divisions within the company. Deployments focus on the RTL Group, Penguin Random House as well as BMG. Rotations in other divisions of the company are also possible.

    • Is this a paid Graduate Program?

      Creative Management trainees receive an annual salary between €45,000 and €50,000.

Contact

Do you have further questions?

Get in touch with Steffi Heldberg (s.heldberg(at)bertelsmann.de).

Please note that we do not consider applications submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail.

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