Legal Trainee

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils! 

Learn more about us as a workplace upm.com/careers

We are now looking for a Trainee, Privacy & Compliance to our head office, the Biofore House, in Helsinki, Finland, for a full-time and fixed-term position (preferably from the beginning of April until end of August/September 2026). It can be arranged that before June the work is part-time and there is a possibility to extend the working period after the fixed period as part-time or full-time trainee.

Greetings from your future manager

“Our trainees grow as privacy and compliance professionals in our positive and encouraging work environment. You will gain valuable experience and have the opportunity to apply your studies in practice. Our compact team works in close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders. We are confident you will find working with us rewarding and we look forward to welcoming you and supporting your growth with us!” – Ilkka Saskov, Group Counsel, Privacy & Digital Compliance

What you will do

You will work together with UPM’s Privacy & Digital Compliance team on operational responsibilities related to global privacy management and continuously improve our privacy and compliance landscape. Your tasks may include, for example:

• Assisting in day-to-day privacy tasks such as risk assessments and data protection impact assessments
• Providing advice and support to UPM businesses and functions as they implement privacy requirements
• Coordinating and assisting in privacy audits
• Assisting in other tasks in the legal function, including information and data collection, preparation of background materials and legal research
• Assisting other Compliance teams such as Counterparty Risk Management team, with their daily activities

Who you are

We are looking for someone with a positive attitude, a service-oriented mindset, strong communication skills, and a genuine interest in learning and growing as a privacy and compliance professional. In this position, you will need to be able take ownership of your work and manage multiple responsibilities and tasks concurrently while remaining focused on the key priorities. In addition, you have:

• Studies in a relevant field (for example, law, economics, or similar), with approximately 50-80% of your studies completed
• A strong understanding of the GDPR; understanding of other relevant data regulatory frameworks such as AI Act, Data Act, NIS2 is an advantage
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• Earlier work experience is not a required, but the following are considered assets:
  • Previous experience related to operational privacy management
  • Understanding of other international privacy legislations related to operational processes and their successful implementations

This is what we offer to you

• A meaningful job: We have an inspiring purpose “We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils”. Our work is impactful and transformative.  
• A caring community: Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees. 
• Development opportunities: We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth. 
• Responsible employer: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas, from climate change mitigation to enhancing biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves. 

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working

Additional information

The position holder will report to the Group Counsel, Privacy & Digital Compliance, and is a member of UPM Privacy & Digital Compliance team.

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by February 1, 2026. Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system. We begin reviewing applications as they are received, and you may be contacted before the application deadline.

For support with submitting your application, please contact our HR Service Center at [email protected] or tel. +358204146600.

A security background check may be performed for those selected to UPM positions, in accordance with the company recruitment guidelines and the Security Clearance Act 726/2014.

UPM Legal Function is a global function with around 40 professionals assisting UPM’s business areas and global functions in a variety of legal matters, including areas of contracts, corporate transactions and financing, as well as corporate governance and compliance.

UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. 

UPM – we renew the everyday 
Read more: upm.com 

Follow us on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | X  | #UPM #materialsolutions #WeRenewTheEveryday 

#LI-DNP