Careers Specialist 

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Careers Specialist to join a pioneering organisation making a lasting difference to the lives of young people facing barriers to employment.

You will be working for a charity that transforms the lives of care-experienced young people, helping them gain the skills, confidence, and inspiration to achieve sustainable employment. If you’re passionate about strategic fundraising and creating life-changing opportunities, this role is for you.

Position: Careers Specialist

Location: Hybrid – London Waterloo office
Salary: £32,000 – £34,500 per annum (depending on experience)
Contract: Fixed term until December 2026 (with possibility of extension)
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Start Date: February / March 2026

Benefits: 27 days annual leave plus the 1st Friday of every month as a half day.
3% pension contribution after 3 months of service.

Closing Date: Sunday 18th January 2026 at 11.59pm

About Drive Forward

We are dedicated to transforming the lives of care-experienced young people by giving them the skills, confidence, and inspiration to build sustainable, fulfilling careers. We work in partnership with employers, policymakers, and supporters to open doors for young people as they move from care to career.

Our work is underpinned by our values: visionary, people-focused, collaborative, and empowering. 

About the Role

As a Careers Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting and empowering young people to overcome barriers to employment and progress towards meaningful, sustainable careers. You will build trusted relationships, broaden horizons and inspire ambition, using a person-centred and strengths-based approach.

Through personalised Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), workshops and employer engagement, you will help young people develop confidence, employability skills and clear career pathways, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individual, person-centred IAG to young people, supporting them to identify and achieve their career goals
• Identify and create opportunities for employment, education and training aligned to participants’ interests and aspirations
• Deliver workshops, group sessions and outreach activities across multiple London boroughs
• Support young people with CVs, applications, interview preparation and professional skills development
• Maintain an inclusive, client-centred approach, sensitive to diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Record and monitor participant progress using internal databases and contribute to reporting for funders and partners
• Work collaboratively with delivery partners to achieve agreed outcomes and milestones
• Represent the programme at internal and external meetings, sharing learning and good practice
• Contribute to a positive, supportive and learning-focused team culture

About You

You will be resilient, empathetic and solutions-focused, with a strong belief in the potential of every young person. You will be confident working with individuals facing complex barriers and skilled at motivating, engaging and empowering others.

You will be organised, adaptable and comfortable managing a varied caseload, while working both independently and collaboratively within a supportive team.

Experience, Qualifications and Skills

Essential 

• At least 2 years’ experience supporting young people or adults from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds into employment, education or training
• Proven ability to build trust and work effectively with individuals with complex needs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience delivering employability workshops, training sessions or group activities
• Sound understanding of safeguarding and risk management
• Strong organisational, time management and record-keeping skills
• Confidence using IT systems and databases (e.g. Salesforce or similar CRM tools)
• Resilient, adaptable and committed to helping young people reach their full potential

Did we tickle your interest?

Great. To apply, please send your most recent CV and a Cover Letter to info@driveforwardfoundation.org – we’ll only consider applications that include both, a CV and CL.

If you wish to learn more about the role or Drive Forward in general, get in touch using the above email or ring the office at 0207 620 3000.

We look forward to hearing from you!