Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your transformative journey with the On Purpose Associate Programme, offering a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals to transition into impactful work. This paid, year-long leadership programme is designed for those ready to pivot their professional journey towards creating a regenerative, equitable and just future.
Key info:
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Based in London, UK
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Full-time (4.5 days at placement & one half day training weekly)
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£27,010 per annum salary
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Programme dates: October 2025 - September 2026 (49 weeks)
About On Purpose:
On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.
Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.
Programme summary:
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Two 6 month placements:
Through work placements with leading purpose-driven organisations, you'll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Save the Children, BAFTA and Sustainable Ventures.
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Expert-led learning:
Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. This blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change.
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1-2-1 mentoring & coaching:
Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.
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Join a supportive, impactful community:
You’ll be part of a tight-knit cohort of 20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community, connecting with a global, influential network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.
Benefits:
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Earn while you learn: On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs, all the while offering extensive learning and development.
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Develop your ability to make an impact: Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. You’ll join nearly 1000 purpose-driven alumni who are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.
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Unlock purpose-driven career opportunities: Our Associates have moved into a whole range of sustainability jobs and social impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former music label business owner now the CEO of Hubbub, a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK and a former civil servant now Climate Lead at Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
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Standard UK holiday allowance
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A 3-day residential (all expenses paid)
Who we’re looking for:
This programme is ideal for:
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Individuals seeking a career change into the environment and social impact sector.
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Individuals already in the impact sector who want to develop new skills, have the opportunity to work in more commercial organisations, or to join an engaged network of people who share your values and are working toward the same goal.
Specific sector or industry experience is not important. We’re looking for talented people from diverse industries who have a determination to bring their skills and experience to purpose-driven projects and to driving systemic change. We seek ambitious individuals with:
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A minimum of three years full-time professional experience
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The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme
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Fluency in English
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Office environment experience
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Skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.
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Excitement and commitment towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose.
Diversity and Inclusion:
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and those who are often under-represented in the impact sector, including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and those from diverse ethnic, gender identities, sexualities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.
How to apply:
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Read our Associate Programme brochure for more information.
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Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.
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Closing date for applications: Monday 19 May, 9:00 am (BST).
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Interviews will be held in mid-late June.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Through the appointment of a Strategic Programme Director (SPD), we have been given an opportunity to bring a step change in our mission and ministry across the Diocese of Coventry. With a history of innovative missional practice and a dedicated team of lay and ordained leaders across our diverse geographical area (Warwickshire, Coventry and part of Solihull), we are looking to appoint a strategic thinker who is solutions focused with experience in bringing impactful change. The SPD will join us at an exciting time in the strategic development of the Diocese of Coventry as our new diocesan bishop takes up her responsibilities with a vision to see all churches flourish. A highly consultative approach will be needed as we look ahead to the beginning of this new season.
The Strategic Programme Director will be responsible for contributing to and supporting the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team and key lay and ordained leaders in the delivery of the diocesan strategy. The role will ensure that the programmes, projects and workstreams within the plan are delivered on time, within scope and budget. The Programme Director will provide oversight of the strategic plan from inception of ideas through implementation to delivery of projects. Working collaboratively across the Diocese, the role will also ensure that key outcomes are well-defined, appropriately prioritised, delivered to plan and within budget. The role will include shaping and scoping the request for partnership/external funding.
Programme Development & Planning
- In the first year: To prioritise the clear articulation of a diocesan wide vision and direction of travel through working closely with the Bishop and the Bishop’s Senior Staff Team building on the work achieved in recent years.
- Work with key stakeholders to develop strategic initiatives aligned with the diocesan vision and strategy
- Ensure strategic proposals have clarity and viability
- Ensure effective communication with clarity, consistency and transparency
- Work with senior leaders to prioritise outline proposals
- Work with senior leaders to develop change proposals including detailed outcomes and the process by which those outcomes will be achieved
- Regularly assess the viability of development proposals
- Work with partnership funding bodies, including the C of E Vision and Strategy Team, to submit funding proposals and assure the quality of applications for any partnership funding
- Represent the Diocese in discussions with partnership funders
- Work with senior leaders to make the best use of central resources to support change
Programme Management
- Facilitate the launch of partnership-funded strategic projects, ensuring they are appropriately planned, resourced, measured and managed.
- Establish appropriate programme governance, including risk management, change management, regular reporting, and budget management
- Work with the communications team to ensure consistent and effective messaging
- Establish review and support processes to ensure projects are delivered successfully
- Ensure intervention processes are developed to pause, or if necessary, terminate projects that have demonstrated they will not deliver
- Capture and publish lessons learned, and support research studies
- Build consistent protocols for all significant strategic development initiatives
- Track progress against a detailed project plan, deliverables, outcomes and measures
- Manage changes in project scope, schedule and costs, escalating to BSIG as required
- Provide support for operational aspects of projects in liaison with diocesan colleagues
- Ensure project leads/managers regularly complete a quality project highlight report
- Address project issues and risks, escalating to BSST accordingly
- Report project status to BSST on a regular basis
- Oversee production of all necessary annual reports for the Strategic Investment Board
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.