Connect has been at the forefront of graduate recruitment within the public affairs industry, and have operated a Graduate Programme since 2005. To support our growth, and our recent wins, we are looking for candidates with the potential to become excellent consultants to join our graduate programme.
We are delighted that so many of our previous graduates have gone on to be leaders in the sector, working for organisations such as the British Medical Association, Guide Dogs, Macmillan Cancer Support, Heathrow Airport, G4S, EEF, the LGiU, Department of Health, the European Labour Party, Secret Escapes and the Rail Delivery Group. We are particularly proud that one of our graduates is now on the board of the company, and seven of our team began their careers on our graduate scheme.
As an Investor In People (Gold Standard) we are committed to developing the skills of our staff, and see our Graduates as our future leaders. Our ambition is for our graduates to develop their careers at Connect, and we are now looking for two outstanding graduates to join us in September 2014.
You will be working with a cross party, dynamic team with experiences in Parliament, the political parties, trades unions, charities, local government and business across a range of policy areas.
We are a ‘hands-on’ consultancy and our fast-track programme makes sure that our graduates quickly learn about the people, policies and processes they will need to kick-start their careers. You will be a core member of our client services team from day one and quickly gather a detailed understanding of client and project management, business and financial systems, as well as developing detailed policy and political knowledge.
Our programme is designed to support our graduates’ professional and personal development, them the tools to become successful political consultants. Our graduates are mentored and coached by our talented and experienced consultants, many of whom are former graduate trainees. Our Graduates also benefit from our own training arm, Connect Training, which offers a range of training courses both to external audiences and our in-house team.
During the programme, Connect Graduates will:
- Develop a strong understanding of the workings of Westminster and Whitehall;
- Become a core part of our Connect Intelligence team to provide political monitoring services to clients;
- Provide research and support across our client base;
- Take responsibility for delivering a major policy event working with the Connect Conferences team;
- Support a planning application with local engagement, consultation, exhibitions and liaison with local press;
- Regularly blog and contribute to Connect’s social media presence;
- Attend Select Committees and think tank events providing reportage for clients;
- Learn how to network and establish new contacts;
- Learn how to identify, develop and secure new business for Connect;
- Undertake a number of internal and external training courses including parliamentary processes, introduction to public affairs and presentation skills.
Who do we want?
Connect only employ the best candidates and we are looking for people with a passion for politics and for people. We are looking for someone who can show evidence of:
- a least a 2:1 degree;
- a passion for politics, policy making and current affairs;
- exceptional written, presentational and interpersonal skills;
- the ability to assimilate, analyse and summarise written material quickly;
- excellent listening skills, as well as the ability to take an impartial view;
- the ability to inspire trust and confidence in clients;
- a team player;
- commercial awareness and good business sense;
- enthusiasm and self-motivation.
Salary and benefits
We believe in nurturing our talent and in 2013, we were shortlisted by Public Affairs News as ‘Best Agency to Work For’ in their annual awards.
Graduates join the company as Graduate Trainees on a starting salary of £19,000 (+ bonus) with the potential for a pay rise after six months. You will receive benefits including:
- 25 days paid holiday per year (in addition to public holidays);
- Full training programme;
- Employer pension scheme (after six months);
- Private healthcare scheme;
- Annual season ticket loan (interest free);
- Company mobile phone (after six months);
- Opportunity to attend networking events on a weekly basis;
- Annual company away day (previous destinations have included Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, Prague, Porto, Champagne, and Brussels);
- Regular staff parties including Christmas and summer party;
- Regular staff socials including ‘curry club’ every two months;
- Drinks trolley on a Friday and regular social events;
- Ad hoc charity and company team building events;
- Fresh fruit provided weekly.