Social Impact & Environment Sustainability Apprentice (Level 4)

A&O Shearman; London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking firm as a Social Impact & Environment Sustainability Apprentice, where you'll play a vital role in supporting initiatives that promote education, employment, and environmental sustainability. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful social impact projects. You'll assist in coordinating educational programs, managing communications, and engaging with various stakeholders. With a commitment to mentorship and professional development, this apprenticeship will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the field of corporate responsibility and sustainability. If you're passionate about making a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic candidate with excellent administrative skills.
• Interest in social impact and sustainability is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support across Social Impact and Environmental Sustainability Teams.
• Coordinate global environmental data collection and support office-level training.

Skills

Administrative Skills

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

Knowledge of Word, Excel, Outlook

Education

5 GCSEs at Grade 6 or above

Job description

A&O Shearman's responsibility to help build a fair and equitable society goes hand in hand with the firm's commitment to its people, culture, clients, and the wider legal sector. Our social impact initiatives enable individuals and communities to access justice, social finance, education, and employment around the world, whilst building the skills and perspectives of our people, strengthening our relationships with our clients, and tangibly demonstrating our core values and culture.

Role purpose

The Social Impact & Environment Sustainability Apprentice will provide administrative support across both the Social Impact and Environmental Sustainability Teams. The role will support our Access to Education and Employment programmes, the Allen Overy Shearman Sterling Foundation (A&O Shearman Foundation), the Global Decarbonisation and Environmental Impact Mitigation programme, and act as a link between both teams to support common initiatives.

Role and responsibilities

Community Investment

• Create and monitor recruitment opportunities through our global volunteering platform and support international colleagues with administrative guidance to increase engagement.
• Deliver and recruit for educational programmes during the academic year – including co-ordination with charities, room bookings, catering, and managing recruitment numbers throughout.
• Administer participant travel reimbursements for our programs, liaising with participants and Finance.

A&O Shearman Foundation

• Respond to general enquiries from organisations, collate grant applications, and ensure relevant paperwork has been provided by the organisation.
• Take minutes, activate payment processes of successful organisations, collate end-of-grant report forms, and assist with reporting requirements.

Environment Sustainability

• Coordinate global environmental data collection and support office-level training and communications.
• Undertake research into sustainability trends potentially impacting the firm.
• Support maintenance of the Environmental Sustainability Hub.
• Assist the Global Sustainability Manager in running the Green Champions network.
• Contribute to development of communication materials and employee engagement initiatives.
• Undertake ad-hoc admin tasks related to the team’s day-to-day activities.

General administration

• Assist the team with in-person events, including our Global Social Impact Conference, setting up marketing campaigns (Vuture), printing, managing volunteers, and handling ad hoc requests before, during, and after events.
• Liaise with internal communications and digital support to create digital signage for promotional materials and London news articles.
• Provide technical support to the Social Impact Team by maintaining the intranet and SharePoint sites.

What we look for

• Enthusiastic, organized candidate with excellent administrative skills and attention to detail.
• An interest in or passion for social impact and sustainability.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, and Outlook is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including spelling and grammar.
• Motivated, with a strong interest in education, employability, and environmental issues.
• Flexible and adaptable to working hours.
• Excellent team player but capable of working independently, demonstrating initiative.

Minimum requirements

• Hold 5 GCSEs at Grade 6 or above, including Maths and English.
• Applicants must be in Year 13 or a school leaver without a university degree.
• Not undertaking another apprenticeship or government-funded qualification simultaneously.

Academic qualifications

• Based in our London office throughout the apprenticeship, working four days a week with one day of study (usually online).
• Achieve the qualification: Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner (Level 4) by the end of the apprenticeship.

Support

During the apprenticeship, you will be given significant responsibility and full support, including mentorship, training, and access to professional development masterclasses.

Application process

Submit a CV detailing your education and work experience. Provide written responses to questions as part of your application.

Application window

Open from 1 May 2025 to 30 May 2025.

Interviews

Interviews will be held in July 2025 at our London office, conducted by the Social Impact and Environment Team. You may meet the former apprentice and have travel expenses reimbursed.

Apprenticeship start date

1 September 2025.