We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic Community Impact Assistant to deliver Freshfields' community impact strategy in the UK, primarily through our flagship programme, the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scheme (FSL).
Established in 2013, the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship aims to address the disproportionate under-representation of Black men from less socially mobile backgrounds in large commercial law firms and other City of London institutions.
This role involves supporting the firm’s Social Mobility Partner and colleagues with administering the scheme from recruitment through to implementation, managing logistics for awarded scholarships and activities with scholar alumni, and engaging with candidates.
Overview of the function
The Community Impact function at Freshfields aims 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
Support Scholarship Recruitment Phase
- Collaborate on recruitment materials for eligible universities.
- Maintain attendance records and contact lists from university information sessions.
- Collate and manage applications from universities nominating candidates.
- Attend and support university information sessions.
- Assist with planning and running in-person Insight Days for scholarship applicants.
- Conduct first-round reviews of scholarship applications and escalate certain applications for further screening.
- Assist with candidate selection process, including logistics and coordination of volunteers for assessments and interviews.
Implement Masterclass and Mentorship Programmes
- Support the scholarship team with the implementation of a Masterclass programme for candidates not awarded scholarships.
- Provide administrative support with the onboarding of successful scholarship candidates.
- Support logistics of the in-person development programme, including a full December project week and mentorship for awarded scholarships.
- Organise and collaborate in the delivery of FSL virtual work experience placements for successful scholarship applicants and candidates progressing to the final stage of Masterclasses.
Manage Engagement with Scholar and Candidate Alumni
- Manage engagement through the Scheme’s platform, LinkedIn group, and other forms of communication.
- Champion FSL and wider Community Impact programmes, regularly communicating and engaging employees through various platforms.
- Collaborate and support others across the community and inclusion teams.
Key requirements
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Degree level or relevant experience.
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
- Strong team player with excellent people skills.
- Confident verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging with internal volunteers, senior stakeholders, and a student audience.
- 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.
- Interest in community impact and social mobility.
- Ability to obtain an enhanced DBS check.
- Willingness to attend the office for preparation and in-person Scheme events and activities.
Desirable
- Experience in a responsible business or community impact team.
- Experience supporting high-quality events.
- Experience or interest in graduate hiring, particularly in Law/professional services.
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.
