Nokia enjoys SSC success In Budapest

How many people work at the Nokia SSC here in Budapest?

Nokia has a diverse team in Hungary with more than 1,900 employees. More than 350 work in the shared services areas, and more than 1,400 work in our research and development center.

What are the advantages for Nokia in locating its SSC here in Hungary? Do you feel this is a good place for an SSC, and if so why?

More than a decade ago Nokia decided to center its financial team in Budapest. At that time, we were looking for well-educated people speaking foreign languages, a central location in Europe and excellent infrastructure. These requirements are the same nowadays: We seek speakers of English, and other European and MEA languages, who are professonals in accounting and tax compliance, preferably with the relevant ERP background. We have an increased demand for workers with controlling, reporting or analytical knowledge.

The investor friendly environment has made Hungary a favorable target country. The regulation and tax system, openness of educational institutions, professional assistance for investors were strong reasons for Nokia to select Budapest as hub for other areas.

What kinds of functions do you handle at the Nokia SSC in Budapest? Do you have any interesting or unusual strategies for handling your work here? Are you using any innovative approaches?

Our procurement and human resources teams have a couple of dozen employees, and the marketing team has just opened some positions in Budapest. I work in the financial shared services organization. and we have the largest team in Budapest focusing on end-to-end accounting activities.

Nokia encourages an environment where everyone can grow through constant learning and development. Sharing knowledge and skills allows the company to inspire innovation across businesses. For instance, our extensive rotation program provided opportunities for several employees to work and live in other European countries, or even in China. In our area, we also provide the opportunity to take cross-functional positions and participate in job rotation. Creation and adoption of a continuous improvement mindset and programs in which employees are invited to own and manage their own improvement ideas is widely welcome by all working in the Nokia SSC.

What are the special attractions that Nokia’s SSC has for workers? Why would people want to work with you?

While Nokia is considered attractive in the Hungarian labor market, our management is dedicated to retaining employees through a competitive benefit package, flexible working hours, general medical services, preventive programs to support health & safety, a weight loss program, vaccinations, medical tests required for licenses and psychological consultations. All employees have access to a recreation center or can become a member of the 38 Nokia Sport and Hobby Clubs. The company has group insurance contracts that provide insurance coverage to employees, their family members and temporarily employed students. We have launched a “Foundation for Nokia Employees”, with the aim of developing programs for the preservation and improvement of our employee’s health, and we also organize community and social responsibility projects. In the near future, the Foundation will offer recreational discounts for our employees and their families.

Overall, Nokia provides employees the opportunities to develop a career in a large multinational, learn and develop as a true professional in many areas of business in an engaging corporate environment.

You will soon be moving into a new facility in the “Corvin Quarter”. Why is that?

The move reflects the company growth over the past years and its continued commitment to the Hungarian telecom sector and economy. Nokia will move to a new, eight-story office building located in Corvin Promenade – part of the largest city center revitalisation program in Budapest, called Corvin Quarter. Together with a modern, open-plan office environment, the new location will offer state-of-the-art meeting facilities and collaborative design, entirely based on our requirements. Construction started in 2015 and employees are expected to move in early 2017.

All employees are provided an ergonomic working environment including a friendlier, more casual work setting, and team spaces that promote more interaction with co-workers, team members and visiting guests.