On Purpose Associate – A Leadership Programme for Social & Environmental Impact

Start your journey towards an impactful career as an On Purpose Associate through our
leadership programme that allows you to earn whilst you learn.

Type: Full time, contract (1 year)

Job description

Seeking a purposeful career change? Embark on a 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 sustainable, equitable and just future.

Programme summary:

• Make a real impact: Through two 6-month work placements with leading
  organisations, you’ll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental
  issues. Our partners, including Triodos, Better Society Capital, Save the Children, Oddbox, and
  Sustainable Ventures, provide unparalleled opportunities to contribute to meaningful change.
• Expert-led learning: Immerse yourself in an intensive Learning &
  Development programme, with weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. This
  blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the leadership skills,
  knowledge and mindset to drive systemic change.
• 1-2-1 mentoring & coaching: Receive personalised support through
  fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both personal and
  professional growth.
• Join a supportive community: You’ll be welcomed into a tight-knit cohort of
  ~20 like-minded and ambitious Associates. Together, you’ll share ideas, challenges, and
  successes, creating a sense of belonging and mutual support that extends far beyond the
  programme’s duration. You’ll also join the expansive On Purpose community, connecting with a
  global network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and
  opportunities.

Why join us?

• Earn while you learn: A competitive gross salary of £25,645 per annum,
  supporting your full-time commitment to creating change.
• Have a transformative impact: Join nearly 1000 purpose-driven alumni who are
  leading change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% working in the impact sector.
• Access diverse career opportunities: Our Associates have moved into
  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 Managing Director of
  Divine Chocolate, and a former Marketer at Google now Head of Europe for Terra.do.

Who we’re looking for:

This programme is ideal for individuals seeking a career change into the environment and social
impact sector, or for those 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/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:

• A minimum of three years full-time professional experience
• The right to work in the UK
• Fluency in English
• Office environment experience
• Excitement towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose
• Skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal
  communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.

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:

• Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.
• Closing date for applications: Monday 21 October, 9:00 am (BST).
• Interviews scheduled for mid-late November with the programme starting in April 2025.