Jonas Willems about his internal mobility journey towards fulfillment

How has your journey since 2017 shaped your long-term career perspective within TriFinance?

Since joining in 2017, Jonas has had the opportunity to choose projects that matched his interests. With a background in Applied Economics, he started with finance-oriented roles and eventually transitioned to risk management projects, focusing on Solvency II reporting and Credit Risk.

In 2020, Jonas decided to leave TriFinance. At the time, he was working in a risk management position, handling regulatory reporting to the NBB, and with the project ending, it seemed like the right moment to make a move. However, just as he was about to start at the new company, COVID-19 hit, leading to a slowdown in new projects. Not wanting to waste time, he joined a local packaging company as a financial controller. However, he found little satisfaction in purely financial roles and started reflecting on the skills he had developed and wanted to grow further.

In 2021, Jonas returned to TriFinance, transitioning from Transition & Support Brussels to Financial Institutions. He reached out to his former business manager, explaining his situation, and after interviews to assess his motivation and ambition, he landed a data analyst project at Argenta. This role kickstarted his journey in Data & Analytics, a domain he is passionate about and continues to explore.

Looking back, Jonas believes leaving in 2020 was the right decision, as it gave him the chance to reevaluate his priorities, which he has since rediscovered at TriFinance.

Why Financial Institutions?

The sector of banking, insurance, and asset management is more relevant than ever, playing a vital role in society. Every function found in a Transition & Support project is also needed within Financial Institutions, which is why Jonas found it a natural fit.

What advice would you give to someone looking to explore internal mobility at TriFinance?

Jonas advises keeping your care manager in the loop as early as possible, as they can effectively guide you through the process. He also recommends speaking with someone from the business unit you’re considering, to get a sense of their working style, clients, and projects.

Since becoming a father this year, how have you balanced your role at TriFinance with your personal life?

Jonas planned fatherhood ahead by purchasing extra days off through the MyFlexReward program from TriFinance, which he is now gradually using. TriFinance has been accommodating, allowing him to take last-minute days off when needed, such as for accompanying his girlfriend to hospital appointments. He’s also fortunate to have a client that offers flexibility with working hours and days off.

Do you think your experiences outside of work—such as being a father or cycling—have impacted your career growth in any way?

Cycling has become an important part of Jonas' routine. After a day of work, hopping on the bike allows him to reflect, and some of his best ideas have come during his commute. He has also joined a group of fellow commuters, meeting at 6:30 AM every morning. The group’s founder is none other than TriFinance consultant Kwinten van Geit. Connecting with such a diverse group has not only been enjoyable but also a great networking opportunity.