"The Future Charity Leaders Programme gives you autonomy and responsibility you'd never expect in a graduate job. This is a real job, with real challenges, and real rewards.If you can make it on the Future Charity Leaders Programme, you can make it anywhere!" - Future Charity Leaders Programme Coordinator

Do you think that your social background should determine your graduate career? We don't either. That's why we select and develop undergraduates from less-advantaged backgrounds to fulfil their career potential.

We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities.

Building on the success of the past three years upReach’s current partners include Aviva, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Civil Service Fast Stream, Deloitte, KPMG, McKinsey, North Highland and Unilever. We also partner with universities including Exeter, King’s College, Liverpool, Reading and Southampton to name a few.

Last academic year, 528 undergraduates (we call them upReach Associates) have been supported to achieve fantastic outcomes through our unique programme of application support, soft skills workshops, video forums (small group, online seminar-style sessions), mentoring and professional experience. To find out more about upReach and how we support our students, visit our website. In 2016-17, upReach are planning to offer support to between 600 and 700 associates, and are growing the team accordingly.

The upReach Graduate Scheme is a structured 30 month programme, designed to provide ambitious graduates with exposure to all aspects of work within the charity, including Associate Delivery, Fundraising & Partnerships, Marketing & Selection, Governance, Finance and HR. You will be given full training in all the different aspects of work with us, building on the skills you bring with you to the role. This role is an opportunity to develop new skills, and training will be provided across all areas.

After a period of initial training, you will be responsible for delivering personalised employment-­focused support to a cohort of Associates, helping transform their lives by giving them the necessary skills to secure a top job. You should expect to spend 80% of a typical week working with undergraduates and supporting the delivery team in their work recruiting associates, organising and running events such as skills workshops and monitoring our impact.

The remaining 20% of a typical week will be spent rotating in each of four different areas within the charity.

A final six month rotation will be spent in an area based on your preferences and the needs of the charity. Upon completion of the 30 month programme, we would expect you to be well placed to progress to a manager ­level role within upReach or the broader charity sector. At upReach, we aim to ensure high performers are supported, challenged and their achievements recognised accordingly.

You will focus around 80% of your time on the below tasks.

• Individual and small group work with Associates
• Developing and delivering professional development­-focused support
• Programme Co­ordination
• Selection of Associates

The remaining 20% of your time will be spent working across four areas:

• Partnerships
• Fundraising strategy
• Marketing and Social Media
• Finance, HR and Governance

All members of the upReach team are passionate about upReach’s mission, improving social mobility, and widening access to professional employment. Previous team members have had a range of previous experiences including: Corporate Graduate Scheme, University Society President, teacher and a youth organisation leader.

We are looking for someone with a passion for increasing social diversity and the following attributes:

• Applying, or supporting others to apply to graduate level jobs in the UK
• Working in a fast-paced environment and working independently to find solutions to problems
• Writing and delivering workshops, seminars, lessons or interactive presentations
• University degree (2:1 or higher) in any discipline, or equivalent experience
• Grade ‘A’ calibre GCSE Maths and English
• High level of written English and attention to detail
• Ability to apply knowledge of graduate career pathways in the UK to empower undergraduates to identify the steps required to achieve career aims
• Understanding of how social background can affect graduate employability in the UK
• Ability to empathise and understand the specific needs of undergraduates from less- advantaged backgrounds
• Ability to devise and deliver imaginative and engaging small group, individual learning and workshops
• Self-motivation and an ability to work in a small team as well as independently
• Ability to engage and communicate confidently with undergraduates, corporate volunteers (mentors) and employers via phone, email, and in person
• Organised with ability to prioritise a varied workload