Future First works to close the achievement gap between those born into low-income and high-income homes and, in doing so, contribute to improving social mobility.
We help state schools and colleges build thriving, engaged alumni communities. Former students can have a transformative effect on young people studying today, returning to act as inspirational career role models and mentors, or to offer valuable work experience placements or in-lesson support.
Former students can also support the wider school community to flourish by acting as governors, using their experience of the school and community to shape its future, or by raising funds to support the school to run additional activities and provide further resources.
We build the infrastructure around state schools which allows them to engage, track and mobilise their former students –both older alumni and recent leavers. Within every school and college’s alumni community, there is a host of potential career and education role models, work experience providers, mentors, fundraisers and donors. Future First helps schools and colleges to harness this resource.
We currently work with 400 state schools and colleges across England and Wales (more than 10% nationwide). So far in 2016-17 we’ve supported more than 80.000 young people to have quality encounters with alumni role models. With nearly 200,000 former students signed up to support their old school here is still much more we can achieve.
So, there is still more to do! We’re committed to expanding our work to more schools, learning as we go and refining and adapting our programme to achieve the biggest possible impact for young people.
Future First seeks a
Alumni Programme Officer
Job Description
- Reports to: Regional Lead –London & South
- Salary band: £20,000 -£25,000
- Contract type: Permanent
- Location: London
About this role
Future First works with schools across the UK to help them build alumni networks from the ground up –making sure that every one of today’s students can continue to be members of the school community after they leave. Our work with alumni is supported by an Employer Programme, working alongside a range of companies to deliver workshops and insight days about careers in their respective sectors.
We’re looking for a real people person to join our team in London. You’ll build relationships with schools across the south of England, supporting them to set up thriving and engaged alumni networks. You will host careers workshops and other inspiring events in these schools to give students access to role models, work experience placements, mentoring and much more from their new alumni network. You will kick start this activity by reaching out to former students (alumni) to invite them to join the network and support their old school.
Your time will be split between running workshops in schools directly with young people, working with teachers to help them run their own activities and working in the office to find as many former students of schools from across the region as possible.
You don’t need to be an expert in alumni networks just yet –we’ll help with that. You must be passionate about increasing social mobility, building brilliant relationships with a whole range of people and playing your part in cementing Future First’s status as the UK’s leader in this space.
Historically, state schools haven’t built alumni communities. Future First is working to change that. You’ll be at the heart of that movement as we expand our work, sharing our expertise and offering practical help in building communities of former students, giving them the opportunity to give back to their old school. You’ll also make sure that alumni volunteers are suitably supported and informed at the workshops you run.
Key responsibilities:
Developing strong relationships with schools and partners across the UK to deliver engaging events, you will be responsible for:
- Building strong working relationships with participating schools
- Facilitating the engagement of young people during the delivery of workshops;
- Delivering impactful workshops, careers events and other activities –using alumni to help students understand the range of career options available to them
- Equipping schools with the knowledge and skills to run future events themselves
- Maintaining regular contact with schools via email and phone; ensuring that they have the support, materials and practical help that they need to make the most of their alumni network
- Initiating recruitment of alumni to the network through social media and local community outreach
- Finding innovative ways to help schools actively involve their alumni in school life
- Giving presentations to Senior Leadership Teams of schools on the benefits alumni can bring to their school
- Taking a key role in ensuring project outcomes are delivered
- Managing the volunteer experience by engaging alumni by phone, email and social media, encouraging them to join activities within the school, preparing them in advance of their attendance and ensuring they feel supported on the day
- Writing, editing and designing engaging communications for schools to send out to their networks
- Writing external and internal-facing documents (e.g. briefings, posters and guides);
- Keeping accurate records of school activities, alumni contributions and the number of young people who have benefited from our work to evidence progess
Person Specification
The Ideal Candidate –Essential Criteria
- Several years’ experience of working with teachers and/or young people;
- A high energy, inspiring facilitation style which quickly engages an audience;
- High energy levels suitable for delivering impactful workshops;
- Experience of building strong, positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders;
- Experience of delivering presentations to external stakeholders, preferably senior leadership teams;
- Confident at engaging and communicating with large groups of students;
- An understanding of the best ways to communicate with young people;
- Experience of dealing with challenging behaviour;
- Ability to positively promote Future First and its programmes;
- Excellent written communications skills;
- Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise work load;
- Demonstrable experience of thorough record keeping;
- Tenacity and ownership or your projects and responsibilities;
- Warm and friendly -both in person and on the phone;
- Willing to take initiative and go the extra mile;
- Comfortable and confident working independently and remotely from colleagues;
- Interest in social mobility and issues facing students in UK state education.
The Ideal Candidate –Desirable
- Qualified teacher
- Degree or other equivalent level qualification;
- Experience of event management;
- Experience of working with volunteers;
- Experience of project management;
- Knowledge of the UK national curriculum.
How to apply
Please go to our job board and click on the ‘Apply for this job’ link. You will be asked to upload a copy of your CV and a covering letter.
Application deadline: 12:00 pm Wednesday 24 January2018
Interview: Wednesday31 January 2018
Any questions?
We’d be delighted to have an informal conversation about this role if you are considering applying. Please email info@futurefirst.org.uk, or call the office on 020 7239 8933 and ask for Chloe Halpin, Anna Aitkenor a member of the delivery team.
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EducationYouth Future First Seeks Alumni Programme Officer Future First works to close the achievement gap between those born into low-income and high-income homes and contributes to improving social mobility. English Future First http://futurefirst.org.uk/
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