Volunteer and Employer Engagement Intern - 12 months - Manchester

Role Profile:

Job Title: Volunteering and Employer Engagement Intern

Application Deadline: 17/10/2025

Job Type: Internship FTC – 12 months

Location: Manchester

The EY Foundation is a charity established in 2014 to help young people from a low-income background to develop the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. We were founded by EY, the professional services firm, who continue to be our primary funder. 

Our ambition is that all young people eligible for Free School Meals have an employment and earnings potential equitable to other young people in the UK. We do this through a deep understanding of both sides of the labour market, bringing together employers and young people. We work in collaboration with a wide range of organisations to deliver employability skills programmes, scalable digital interventions, and by leveraging our convening power to influence systemic change.

We work in regions across the country, with team members based in four hubs in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Birmingham. We operate a hybrid working model, where staff work in the office at least one day per week, however, depending on the nature of your role or specific business needs, you may be required to attend the office or events more than once a week.

As an independent charity we raise income through corporate partners, traditional fundraising, and grants.

EY Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undertake an Enhanced DBS check via the Disclosure and Barring service, where appropriate.

At the EY Foundation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in the transformative power of embracing differences and creating a culture where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves.

We are committed to fostering an environment that celebrates diversity in all its forms, ensuring that everyone – regardless of background, identity, or experience – feels safe, accepted and that they truly belong. Our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging means continuously learning, improving, and challenging ourselves to build a workplace where every individual can thrive.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you share our commitment to creating a culture of belonging and inclusion, we encourage you to join us and help to make a difference.

We’re thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity to join as a Volunteer and Employer Engagement Intern at the EY Foundation.

Are you passionate about pursuing a career in the charity sector and deeply interested in social mobility? This is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to gain valuable professional experience within a dynamic and rewarding non-profit environment.

Throughout your year-long internship, you will work within our Volunteering and Employer Engagement Teams.

You will learn the day-to-day operations of each function and apply the knowledge you acquire to various projects and tasks.

The role will include several key responsibilities but are not limited to: 

• Support the recruitment, onboarding and training of volunteers (including internal EY staff and external business volunteers) via in person and online sessions.
• Actively participate in team meetings and contribute to discussions.
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of presentations and reports.
• Conduct research and gather information as required.
• Analyse volunteer data and identify any emerging trends.
• Provide administrative support as needed.
• Represent the organisation professionally at external events and programmes.
• Maintain accurate records via our CRM and adhere to organisational policies.

What you will bring to the Foundation is your demonstrable personal qualities, skills and knowledge in the following areas:

Required

Personal Qualities

• Strong work ethic, initiative, and a willingness to learn.
• Be an active listener
• Great attention to detail
• Ability being proactive, adaptable, highly organised, a problem solver
• Ability to effectively communicate, convey information and collaborate with colleagues, stakeholders and clients
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Ability to foster positive relationships with a range of people
• Collaboration and flexibility in your team working, whilst also being able to work with minimum supervision

Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

No specific qualifications are needed for this role. We're looking for someone who is excited to have an internship in the charitable sector and is passionate about social mobility and you should show an interest to diversity and inclusion.

We want to see that you're really interested in joining us and that you're motivated to take on this role. Show us why you're passionate about working with our organisation and how you can make a difference.

To apply for this internship, please follow these steps:

1. Click the application link and complete your profile on the website.
2. Upload your CV and a Cover Letter (maximum 500 words).
3. Answer the three questions below in your cover letter.

Cover Letter Questions

Please respond to all three questions in your cover letter:

1. What motivates you to pursue a career in the charity sector, and why are you interested in social mobility?

You can share personal experiences, values, or goals that have shaped your interest.

2. Tell us about a time when you worked with others to achieve a shared goal.

What was your role, and what did you learn? This could be from school, work, volunteering, or another experience.

3. What excites you about working with volunteers and employers at the EY Foundation?

How do you think you could contribute to our mission?

A Note on Using AI Tools

We understand that some candidates may use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to help write their cover letter. That’s okay, these tools can be useful for getting started or organising your thoughts.

However, please make sure your answers are personal and written in your own words. We want to hear your voice, your ideas, and your experiences.

Tips:

• Use AI as a helper, not the final writer.
• Make your answers specific to this role and to the EY Foundation.
• Share real examples from your life.
• Be ready to talk about what you wrote if you're invited to interview.

We’re not looking for perfection, we’re looking for authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

Our recruitment process has three stages:

1. Application Review

We’ll carefully read your CV and cover letter.

2. First Interview

If shortlisted, we’ll invite you to a first-stage face to face interview.

You’ll receive some of the questions in advance, and we’ll ask a few more on the day.

We want to learn more about you, your interest in the EY Foundation, and why you’d like to join us.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process inclusive and accessible to everyone.

If you need any adjustments or support at any stage, including interviews or onboarding, please let us know. We’re happy to help.

Interviews will take place on 4 November 2025 at the EY Office in Manchester.
If you’re invited and can’t make that date, please let us know, we’ll do our best to offer an alternative.

Get ready to make a real impact! Here's a glimpse into your typical day as a Volunteer and Employer Engagement Intern at the EY Foundation:

Morning:

• 9.00 – 10.00: Check calendar and emails, prioritising responses to any upcoming programmes / workshops that require volunteers / briefings / resources required.

• 10.00 – 12.00: Online meeting with external organisation supporting with volunteer recruitment. Make notes of who the team are, their goals and how they align with our mission and what volunteer opportunities we have coming up that fit. Post call, check CRM with what volunteer spots are available for the specific programme (regional or national depending on organisation) and collate to send to colleagues for circulation, noting on CRM that those spots are ringfenced.

Afternoon:

• 12.00 – 12.30: Check and respond to emails in volunteer inbox, directing to appropriate team members where necessary.

• 12.30 – 13.30: Lunch break.

• 13.30 – 14.30: Hub meeting: Meet with regional team with colleagues to discuss volunteer requirements for upcoming programmes and workshops. Help identify the appropriate individuals and teams to approach.

• 14.30 – 16.30: Collaborate with comms team to create effective digital material to send to volunteers / fundraisers which improve the volunteer experience and make the process of signing up easier and more efficient for all parties.

• 16.30 – 17.00: Check inbox and calendar for the rest of the week / month to stay on track with upcoming programmes / workshops.

Remember, this is just a snapshot of a typical day. The specific tasks and responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the charity.

What sets this internship apart:

• Real-world experience: Gain valuable hands-on experience in the charity sector and contribute to meaningful work that makes a real difference in people's lives about social mobility.
• Skill development: Enhance your professional skills, including research, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and project management.
• Networking opportunities: Connect with experienced professionals in the charity sector and build valuable relationships.