Community Impact Executive

Role Summary/Purpose of Job:

We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic Community Impact Coordinator to deliver Freshfields' community impact strategy in the UK, primarily through our flagship programme, the Freshfields Aspiring Professionals (APP). APP is a social mobility and diversity outreach programme run in partnership with the Social Mobility Foundation since 2021. This role involves coordinating day-to-day APP activities, working directly with students and volunteers to deliver high-quality and engaging sessions, and supporting other Community Impact initiatives such as Freshfields Charity of the Year and Community Day team volunteering.

Overview of the Function:

​The Community Impact function at Freshfields seeks to attract and engage our people by offering market-leading and impactful community impact programmes and volunteering opportunities. As part of the Firm’s wider Responsible Business strategy, Community Impact focuses on (i) the way we work, (ii) how we engage key stakeholders such as clients and colleagues, and (iii) how we make a positive difference to the communities in which we work, with a particular emphasis on providing access to justice and opportunity. The Community Impact team is responsible for delivering activities that benefit both the Firm and the community through access to opportunity outreach.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:

• Coordinate APP Activities:

  • Act as the main point of contact for students throughout their journey on APP, including during work experience placements, internships, and other career-related activities.

  • Manage annual mentor recruitment, training, and support, including hosting mentor engagement events.

  • Organise and deliver APP summer work experience placements, including key sessions, volunteer recruitment and briefing, and managing the schedule.

  • Periodically review and refine programme content using feedback from students and volunteers.

  • Organise four-week residential APP internships, including student recruitment, virtual assessment centres, onboarding, pastoral care, and activity scheduling.

  • Regularly liaise with the Social Mobility Foundation and report any safeguarding matters.

• Deliver Annual Commercial Awareness Day:

  • Recruit and brief volunteers, develop the agenda, and host large groups of students.

  • Review and refine content using feedback from students and volunteers.

  • Design and deliver client engagement sessions for students.

  • Capture feedback and measurement metrics for annual reporting.

• Support Other Community Impact Activities:

  • Coordinate the Global Matched Funding programme and provide guidance to Community Impact Graduate Interns on fundraising administration.

  • Schedule and manage career insight days, including client collaborations.

  • Support the Community Impact Manager with the London and Manchester Charity of the Year and Community Day team volunteering initiatives.

  • Champion APP and wider Community Impact programmes, regularly communicating and engaging employees through various platforms.

  • Act as a day-to-day point of contact for Community Impact Graduate Interns and provide guidance on tasks.

  • Collaborate with and support others across the community and inclusion teams.

  • Assist the Community Impact Manager with ad-hoc requests.

Key Requirements:

Essential:

• Excellent organisational skills.

• Degree level or relevant experience.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail.

• Strong team player with excellent people skills, capable of engaging and influencing volunteers at all levels.

• Ability to influence and engage with external stakeholders such as community partners.

• Confident verbal and written communication skills.

• Integrity and ability to maintain client confidentiality.

• High level of PC/database skills, proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and willingness to embrace new technology.

• Demonstrable interest in community impact and social mobility.

• Willingness to travel regularly to the London/Manchester offices.

• Ability to obtain an enhanced DBS check.

Desirable:

• 2 years of experience in a responsible business or community impact team.

• Experience in collecting and analysing community impact data.

• Experience in delivering high-quality events.

• Project management or process improvement experience.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered on the basis of their merit alone. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK in the role in question and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only if and when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case-by-case basis and take a number of relevant factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.