At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative programmes for young people, fostering skills and employment opportunities.
- Company: Join the Young Urban Arts Foundation, a charity empowering youth through creativity.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid work, competitive pay, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with growth potential and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming lives through creative pathways and industry partnerships.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth programmes and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Young Urban Arts Foundation | Creative pathways into wellbeing, skills and employment
Hours: 24 hours per week (3 days)
Contract: PAYE, 12 month fixed term
Start date: ASAP, no later than 4 July 2026
Location: Hybrid. London-based, with travel to delivery sites
Reports to: Operations and Programmes Advisor
Reporting in: Volunteer mentors and industry professionals
Why this role and why now
Our current Futures Lead is on maternity leave from 5 August 2026. We need someone in the seat by 4 July at the latest so she can hand over fully before she finishes on 4 August. The handover is structured but compressed. Training and shadowing days are available up to 24 June, then a full month working alongside the current Lead from 3 July to 5 August. You will need to absorb the programme quickly, ask sharp questions, and run with it. If that energises you, this is the right role. If you need a long runway to find your feet, it is not.
In return, you inherit a programme that already works, a team that backs you, and an established partner database built over a number of years. You will also be expected to grow it. Identifying new creative industry partnerships, conducting due diligence and ensuring partners are safe and appropriate to work with young people is core to this role. Every young person and every partner organisation has different needs, so this work is constant.
About YUAF
Young Urban Arts Foundation is a UK charity. We use creativity to build pathways into wellbeing, skills and employment for young people aged 13 to 25, including those with SEND. We work with young people from communities affected by inequality including the Global Majority, LGBTQ+ young people, disabled young people, and those living in poverty.
Our Studio Bus, a double‑decker converted into a multimedia studio, has reached more than 22,000 young people in 10 years. Alongside the bus, we run YUAF Elevate, our aftercare and progression offer made up of Futures, Pathways and Backstage.
About YUAF Futures
Futures is the brainchild of our current Futures Lead. She built it, designed it, and has been a pillar of growth and mentorship for the young people she has supported. The programme is a structured cohort offer for young people aged 16 to 19. It moves them from creative engagement into employability, work placements and onward progression in the creative industries and beyond. Participants are selected, inducted and supported through initial, midway and exit assessments. Futures sits alongside Pathways (1‑to‑1 mentoring) and Backstage (alumni creative community) inside YUAF Elevate.
What the role does
- You lead Futures end to end.
- You design themes and run cohorts, hold the relationships with industry partners and work placement hosts, manage Session Leads and volunteer mentors, and own reporting against funder outcomes.
- You are the named lead for the programme inside YUAF and the point of contact for partners outside it.
Running Futures cohorts
- Design cohort structure, content and timeline in line with funder outcomes
- Lead participant recruitment, selection and onboarding
- Place participants into the right YUAF programmes alongside Pathways and Backstage colleagues
- Run initial, midway and exit assessments
- Facilitate workshops where your own skills apply, or co‑facilitate and support volunteers from the creative industries
- Hold periodic check‑ins with participants to keep engagement, confidence and wellbeing high
Work placements and industry pathways
- Identify safe, relevant work placements with credible industry partners
- Prepare participants for placement and stay close to them through it
- Brief partners before sessions and gather feedback after
- Grow the Futures partner base and develop B2B opportunities that extend reach
Team and freelancer management
- Hold weekly meetings with the volunteer industry experts who attend and deliver bespoke sessions, review debriefs, and respond on content
- Manage and support volunteer mentors with regular check‑ins
- Undergo Level 3 safeguarding training and be capable of managing disclosures if they arise, escalating to the DSL where needed
- Handle programme admin including feedback forms and documentation
Partner and stakeholder relationships
- Develop and maintain relationships with industry hosts, work placement partners and venues
- Respond to partners, team members and enquiries promptly and professionally
- Represent Futures externally at partner meetings, sector events and convenings
Reporting and data
- Maintain accurate case records on Upshot
- Update tracking sheets and provide figures for programme reports
- Contribute summaries and figures to the board report
- Attend team meetings and one‑to‑ones with your line manager
Who we are looking for
- Experience leading a structured creative youth or employability programme, with 16 to 19 year olds
- A track record of engaging young people from all backgrounds
- Confident managing a small team of freelancers or volunteers
- Track record of building and maintaining partner relationships, especially with employers or industry hosts
- Sharp on admin and data. Comfortable with CRM systems (we use Upshot) and tracking sheets
- Strong safeguarding instinct. Understands when to elevate
- Able to absorb information fast and run with it. Comfortable working in a compressed handover
- Lived or worked experience of communities affected by inequality, or a clear understanding of the young people we work with
- Eligible to work in the UK and willing to complete an enhanced DBS check and register with the DBS Update Service
- Working knowledge of the creative industries (music, content, broadcast, production)
- Practical skills in music production, sound engineering, content creation or artist management
- Experience designing workshops or masterclasses
- Familiarity with funder reporting against employability outcomes
- Experience working with young people with SEND
Safeguarding
YUAF is committed to safeguarding young people. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check with barred list, two references, and completion of YUAF safeguarding induction. We would expect Safeguarding Level 3 to be completed before engaging with young people. All staff are expected to uphold our safeguarding policy and report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We particularly welcome applications from people from the Global Majority, LGBTQ+ applicants, disabled applicants, and people with lived experience of the issues we work with. We will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process. Tell us what you need.
How to apply
Send a CV (maximum 2 pages) and a supporting statement (maximum 2 pages). Your supporting statement should tell us how you meet the essential criteria and what you would prioritise in your first 30 days. Email applications to [email]. Closing date: 10 June 2026. We are interviewing as applications come in and may offer the role before the deadline. A prompt response is encouraged. If you want an informal conversation before applying, email [email] and we will arrange a 20 minute call.
YUAF Futures Lead (Maternity Cover) in London employer: Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF)
At Young Urban Arts Foundation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions creativity and inclusivity. Our hybrid London-based role offers a supportive work culture where you can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. With opportunities for professional growth, a commitment to safeguarding, and a focus on diversity, we empower our team to innovate and expand their skills in a dynamic environment.
Contact Details:
Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land YUAF Futures Lead (Maternity Cover) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Young Urban Arts Foundation and their mission. Understanding their values and the communities they serve will help you connect during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application. This insider info can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by thinking about how your skills align with the role. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've engaged young people or built partnerships in the past. Show us what you've got!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the YUAF team. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace YUAF Futures Lead (Maternity Cover) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling CV:Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Keep it concise, max 2 pages, and highlight your relevant experience in leading creative youth programmes. Tailor it to show how you can energise the Futures programme.
Nail Your Supporting Statement:This is your chance to shine! Use up to 2 pages to explain how you meet the essential criteria. Be specific about what you’d prioritise in your first 30 days – we want to see your vision for the role!
Show Your Passion for Inclusion:We’re all about diversity and inclusion at YUAF. Make sure to mention any experience you have working with young people from diverse backgrounds or communities affected by inequality. It’s a big part of who we are!
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the deadline! We’re interviewing as applications come in, so get your application in early through our website. This way, you’ll have a better chance of standing out and securing that chat with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF)
✨Know the Programme Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Futures programme. Familiarise yourself with its structure, goals, and the specific needs of the young people it serves. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Prepare Sharp Questions
Since the role involves a compressed handover, come prepared with insightful questions about the current operations and challenges of the Futures programme. This not only demonstrates your proactive approach but also shows that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Diverse Communities
Highlight any relevant experience you have working with diverse groups, especially those affected by inequality. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've engaged young people from various backgrounds and how you can apply that knowledge to this role.
✨Emphasise Team Management Skills
As you'll be managing volunteer mentors and industry professionals, share your experiences in leading teams. Discuss how you motivate and support others, and be prepared to talk about how you would handle challenges within a team setting.
