The Opportunity:
The Aspiring Professionals Programme Coordinator (APPC) postholder is responsible for supporting the delivery and development of the Social Mobility Foundation’s programme of activities for young people through their S5-6/sixth form and university years.
The SMF offers in-person and online support and opportunities, so this role will involve providing virtual and in-person support to students and working with employers across the UK.
Key Responsibility Areas:
1. Project Delivery
- Deliver key projects including recruiting and onboarding students, creating digital resources and student events
- Support with programme pilots, scoping (and delivering on) new activity
- Collaborate and build relationships with our employer partners, schools, and universities to support our young people in their applications for university, internships and graduate roles
- Deliver on allocated events relating to our programme model (university applications, skill development, work experience and mentoring), presenting content to a high standard and in line with the Social Mobility Foundation messaging
2. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Follow established procedures to monitor the progress of your work area, using accurate data to inform decisions
- Maintain accurate records across relevant databases, updating data accurately and in a timely manner
- Contribute to evaluation for key work areas (residentials, events, internships etc), produce high quality evaluation reports where required.
3. Stakeholder Management
- Communicate to internal and external stakeholders in a timely and professional manner
- Proactively update external partners (i.e. employers) on your work areas, flagging risks in a timely manner with relationship managers
- Manage internal student queries and maintain consistent stakeholder (e.g. students) processes through regular communication
4. Activity Delivery
- Coordinate planning and delivery of skills sessions, partner events, university visits, and other activities, both virtually and in person across the Social Mobility Foundation’s target cities across the UK
- Coordinate logistics of sixth form and S5/S6 and undergraduate internships, including but not limited to, student selection, liaising with students and employers throughout internship delivery
- Coordinate and support with the organisation, logistics and delivery of in-person residential programmes for students, including staying on site for day and overnight visits when needed
- Coordinate student services including personal statement checking service and recruitment success service
- Create digital resources to support all provisions
Please see full job description attached for more details.
Person Specification:
We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below:
- Leadership
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Professionalism
- Decision-making
Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:
- Basic Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel
- A basic understanding of the barriers young people face in accessing university and particular careers
Ways of working:
- Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom.
- This role requires you to attend staff residentials for students on our Programme. This means that during the summer period (Jul – Aug) you will be expected to stay overnight on-site (in the UK - exact location to be confirmed closer to the time) for a period of up to two-weeks, help run the residential and be responsible for the welfare of the young people involved.
Travel:
- Some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected.
- Please note this role may require some travel during our peak delivery period (February-May) which could be up to 4 times per month.
- Travel and accommodation if required will be covered by the SMF.
Benefits:
- 36/37 days' annual leave (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays), with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
- Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
- Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
- Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”
We unlock potential, broaden horizons and create opportunities for young people


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking an exceptional leader who can act as a credible spokesperson and ambassador for the Catholic Union, building trusted relationships across the Church, parliament and wider society and helping to grow the Catholic Union’s influence and engagement in the years ahead.
Founded in 1870, the Catholic Union of Great Britain brings Catholic laity and Catholic social teaching to the public square across England, Wales and Scotland. Working in partnership with dioceses, parishes, MPs, MSPs, MSs, peers and Catholic organisations, our vision is of a society in which Catholic laity are informed, equipped and encouraged to engage in public life.
Our work is shaped by three key themes: engagement, education and encouragement. Through these we foster informed participation in public debate, help Catholics and the wider public understand contemporary social and political issues through a Catholic lens, and inspire greater confidence for Catholics to contribute to civic and community life.
In recent years the Catholic Union has developed from being largely volunteer-led into a more professional and strategically focused organisation, strengthening relationships across the Church and wider society. Our Weekly Briefing, now read by around 6,500 people each week, has become a key channel for parliamentary reporting, Catholic news and reflection.
As Director, you will lead the Catholic Union at an exciting moment in its development. You will represent the Catholic Union publicly, strengthening relationships with bishops, diocesan leaders, parliamentarians and Catholic organisations. You will act as a trusted ambassador for the Union, grow our channels of influence and engagement, and work with Trustees, Council and a small experienced team to support the organisation’s continued development.
If you are inspired by the opportunity to serve as a public voice for a respected Catholic organisation and help foster thoughtful dialogue and engagement in public life, we would love to hear from you.
For more information, please see the job pack attached. Closing date 10th April.