Box careers project lead

About us: Empire Fighting Chance is a sport for development charity. We use psychologically informed non-contact boxing programmes that reach around 10,000 vulnerable young people every year. We run these programmes in our gym, in schools, and through a growing network of partner organisations and affiliated amateur boxing clubs in England and Wales. Our model features a powerful fusion of boxing and psychology, delivered by coaches and therapists that young people can trust, in a place where they feel safe, cared for and understood. With Empire Fighting Chance, young people gain support in ways that are natural and enjoyable, encouraging them to turn up, relax, engage in the work, and go on to make positive changes to their lives. About the job: Do you have a passion for boxing or sport and understand the impact it can have on building confidence, resilience and positive futures for young people? Are you seeking an exciting and unique opportunity to work for an innovative charity? If so, read on… Throughout Box Careers, young people engage in non-contact boxing sessions that embed careers guidance, employability skills and personal development into every session. Alongside boxing training, young people access wraparound support including workshops, workplace visits and opportunities to gain qualifications and accreditations. The programme supports young people aged 15-25 who may be struggling to engage with employment, education or training opportunities. Through consistent mentoring and relationship-building, young people develop confidence, improve attitudes towards employment, and gain practical skills that support their future pathways. This is an incredible opportunity to play a key role in a thriving charity that is supporting young people in our community through an active and engaging approach to improving lives. Every day, we meet young people facing significant barriers to employment and training, including low confidence, disengagement from education, mental health challenges, and difficult life circumstances. With your commitment, creativity and ability to build meaningful relationships, you can significantly enhance the impact of our work and improve outcomes for the young people we support. Your role: As the Box Careers Project Lead, you will work with young people aged 15-25 in both one-to-one and group settings at the Empire Gym and off-site in schools, youth clubs and community settings. You will deliver engaging non-contact boxing sessions that combine physical activity with careers support, mentoring and employability-focused interventions. Alongside session delivery, you will support young people to access qualifications, workshops, workplace visits and progression opportunities linked to employment and training. You will lead the United Bristol project, a WECA Youth Guarantee Trailblazer-funded programme delivered in partnership with the Robins Foundation and Bristol Bears Foundation. The programme provides employability support to young people aged 18 who are currently NEET, using the power of sport to engage and inspire. You will work closely with the Careers Manager to ensure the programme meets all delivery requirements to a high standard, while collaborating with partner organisations to design and deliver enriching opportunities for young people. The role also includes representing Empire Fighting Chance at external events, and supporting the effective collection, monitoring and reporting of data and impact. This is a Bristol-based role that requires travel. Occasional additional duties may be required. Your responsibilities: To provide support to young people aged 15 - 25 through a combination of non-contact boxing, mentoring and employability interventions. To prepare and plan engaging weekly sessions that combine technical boxing activities, physical exercise and careers-focused discussions and support. To deliver one-to-one and group-based sessions within the gym, schools, youth organisations and community settings. To support young people with employability skills including confidence-building, communication, goal-setting and attitudes towards employment and training. To support the coordination and delivery of workshops, workplace visits and accreditation opportunities. To lead on the United Bristol (WECA Youth Guarantee Trailblazer funded programme). Collaborating with external stakeholders, representing EFC at external events and contributing to data and impact processes. To work in a dynamic and unconventional work environment where flexibility and creativity are paramount. To maintain the highest standards of record-keeping, including session notes, digital updates and report writing where required. To ensure the development and maintenance of the highest personal and professional standards of practice. To work flexibly and with initiative to meet the core aims of service delivery to young people. To build positive and effective relationships with young people, parents/carers and external agencies to support young people’s progression and engagement. To work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and alongside external organisations and partners. To contribute to the continuous development of the Box Careers Programme and sharing it through our national movement of boxing clubs. What we’re looking for from you: We are seeking compassionate, motivated and engaging practitioners who understand the barriers many young people face when accessing employment, education and training opportunities. You will have the ability to build meaningful relationships with young people and use sport as a tool to inspire confidence, motivation and positive change. Qualifications & experience: Three years of experience working with young people (essential). Experience supporting young people around employability, careers guidance or progression pathways (essential). An interest in sport and an understanding of its ability to positively impact young people’s lives (essential). Experience working with vulnerable, disengaged or ‘at-risk’ young people (desirable). Understanding of boxing or experience within sport-based environments (desirable). Full driving licence (essential). Excellent written English skills, including reading, writing and numeracy. Essential attributes: A proactive and creative approach to work. The ability to use your own initiative and work cohesively as part of a team. A creative and curious approach to engaging young people through alternative support methods. An active interest in fitness and sport. The ability to engage young people in meaningful and supportive relationships whilst setting clear and consistent boundaries. Strong communication and mentoring skills. Resilience, a sense of humour and the willingness to integrate as part of the wider Empire boxing team. Additional information: This role is funded for three years, as is common with charity funding we cannot guarantee funding beyond this point. Some evening work may be required. Bristol-based role with travel required across community, school and youth settings