Purpose Associate - leadership programme social & environmental impact, PURPOSE

Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your 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 develop the skills, knowledge, mindset, and connections to create a regenerative, equitable and just future.

• Based in London, UK
• Full-time (4.5 days at placement & 1 half day training weekly)
• £27,010 per annum salary
• Programme dates:
  April 2027 - March 2028 (50 weeks)
• Apply by Monday 12th October, 9:00 am BST

On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.

Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.

• Through work placements with organisations driving impactful change, you'll gain hands‑on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues 4.5 days of the week. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Bow Foodbank, BELU and VISA.
• Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves half a day, weekly in‑person sessions led by experts from across sectors. The blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change.
• Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.
• You’ll be part of a tight‑knit cohort of ~20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community with 1000+ alumni, connecting with a global, influential network of impact‑driven professionals offering life‑long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.

• Earn a £27.01 k salary
  - On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs.
• Develop your ability to make an impact
  - Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. Our alumni are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.
• Unlock purpose‑driven career opportunities
  - Our Associates have moved into a range of impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK, a former accountant now CEO at Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation, and a journalist and editor now co‑CEO of Heard.
• Standard UK holiday allowance
• A 3-day residential (expenses paid)

• at a stage in your career where you’ve built solid professional experience and want to use your professional skills to create change in organisations, systems and beyond;
• not currently in a career that aligns with your beliefs, but looking to transition into one;
• or you’re already in the impact sector and want to deepen your understanding of how systems and organisations work, develop the skills to lead transformational change, clarify your purpose and vision, and join a cohort and wider network of peers committed to putting purpose before profit.

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

We welcome and encourage 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.