Policy & Public Affairs Apprentice

Channel 4 Corporation; City of London; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK media organization is seeking a Policy & Public Affairs Apprentice to support their team in Leeds or Glasgow. This role involves project management, drafting briefings, and engaging with stakeholders to facilitate communication. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and a GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English. This full-time apprenticeship offers a salary of £24,328 per annum, with a hybrid working model to ensure a balanced work-life experience.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Free Virtual GP access

Discounted Gym memberships

Pension

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• You must be 18 years old or over at the time the scheme starts.
• Confirm you have Maths & English GCSE Grade C (4) or above.

Responsibilities

• Support the team’s project management function.
• Assist with event and visit organisation.
• Help draft briefings for meetings and events.
• Monitor and summarise key political developments.
• Coordinate MP meetings and visits.
• Support external communications.
• Ensure supplier invoices are processed promptly.

Skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation and prioritisation skills

Initiative and curiosity

Understanding of Channel 4's remit

Education

Grade C (4) or above in Maths & English GCSE

Job description

Job Title

Policy & Public Affairs Apprentice

Reports to

Senior External Affairs Manager / Public Affairs Manager

Department

Nations & Regions

Location

Leeds or Glasgow

Number of roles

1

Start date

September 2026

THE C4 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

Our Apprenticeships are full‑time, with four days per week spent working in a C4 department and one day per week completing the formal learning parts of the apprenticeship. You’ll spend 60% of your working week in your office base and 40% working from home.

The formal training will consist of workshops, tutorials, webinars, coaching and residential boot camps. You can read more about the qualification being offered below.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

• You must be 18 years old or over at the time the scheme starts. There is no upper age limit.
• You’ll need to have a Grade C (4) or above in Maths & English GCSE.
• You can’t have already completed the qualification being offered or a similar one at the same or higher level.
• Our apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers and people who do not have a degree. If you have a degree, please visit the Channel 4 Jobs website.

CHANNEL 4 BEHAVIOURS

• Include – We’re Altogether Different; give each other a bear hug, team up and trust each other to collaborate arm‑in‑arm. Don’t just listen: listen to understand.
• Innovate – Don’t just rinse and repeat: challenge positively and embrace change. Experiment & take smart risks.
• Grow – Question everything, school yourself, be generous with knowledge and seek feedback. Be clear with objectives.
• Get it done – Make your time at Channel 4 count. Be a solution‑finder, not a finger‑pointer. Prioritise, decide and act – always commercially.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The Policy and Public Affairs team sits within the Nations and Regions division and is responsible for managing all of Channel 4’s relationships with the UK and devolved Governments and Parliaments, as well as with regulators and other stakeholders in the political and corporate worlds. The team ensures that policy and regulatory decisions benefit Channel 4, keeps stakeholders informed about key programmes, and provides briefing and advice to senior management. Members are based in London, Leeds and Glasgow; this role will be based in Leeds or Glasgow.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the team’s project management function, including taking notes in meetings, logging actions and tracking progress.
• Assist with event and visit organisation, including guest lists, invitations, briefings and logistics.
• Help draft briefings for meetings, events and Select Committees, compiling relevant information and research from across the business.
• Monitor and summarise key political and policy developments, producing clear and timely updates for the team.
• Coordinate MP meetings and visits and support wider diary and stakeholder management.
• Support the team’s external communications, including stakeholder engagement and social media activity.
• Help ensure supplier invoices are processed promptly by raising purchase orders and liaising with Accounts Payable.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Verbal and written communication skills – e.g. dealing with customers, writing emails, completing applications or essays.
• Attention to detail – e.g. proofreading, managing finances.
• Organisation and prioritisation skills – e.g. planning events, balancing coursework and work.
• Initiative and curiosity – proactive in finding information, asking questions, showing interest in current affairs and the creative industries.
• An understanding of and passion for Channel 4’s remit.
• Confirm you have Maths & English GCSE Grade C (4) or above.

QUALIFICATION OFFERED

Business Administrator Level 3 or Diploma Digital Application Support SCQF level 6.

LENGTH OF APPRENTICESHIP

15 months if based in Leeds; 12 months if based in Glasgow.

ALTERNATIVE APPLICATION FORMATS

We are committed to making the application process accessible. If you would like to discuss suggestions for alternative formats, or have any questions about the recruitment process in general, please contact us at [e-mail].

Take a look at our access page for more information, which you’ll find by clicking here. You can also watch our YouTube video, Demystifying Interview and Workplace adjustments.

RELOCATION

If you need to relocate, we can offer support towards the financial costs of moving, including a contribution towards your deposit and first months’ rent, plus visits to your new city to look for accommodation.

BASIC SALARY

£24,328.00 per annum.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

• Referring to the essential criteria listed on the job description, please use examples to demonstrate how you meet these (500 words max).
• What does representation and inclusion mean to you personally, and why are they important? (300 words max).
• Provide a list of your current qualifications, including those you expect to obtain before the September 2026 start of this apprenticeship.
• What aspects of a role in Channel 4’s Policy & Public Affairs team most appeal to you, and why? (200 words max).
• How would you manage your time and balance competing priorities in a fast‑paced, busy team environment? (200 words max).

BENEFITS

• Private medical insurance
• Free Virtual GP access for employees
• Free Female Health hormone test each year
• Free Tastecard membership
• Financial guidance 1-2‑1’s available each quarter
• Discounted Gym memberships
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Holiday Purchase

HYBRID WORKING

From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week. This gives us more opportunity to build an inclusive culture, collaborate and learn from each other. Employees have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the week. All offices are open five days a week.

Applications Close Date: 02 Jan 2026.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Channel 4’s purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK. We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, etc. As an employer we are a certified Disability Confident scheme level 3 Leader, a Care Leaver Friendly Employer and support all candidates under our schemes. We are committed to providing disabled applicants with a level playing field and support during recruitment and employment.

DISABILITY CONFIDENT SCHEME

Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum and maintains the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension’s Disability Confident scheme – Level 3: Leader. We aim to offer interviews to candidates with a neuro‑diverse condition, impairment or long‑term condition who meet the essential criteria. If you wish your application to be considered under the scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions.

CARE LEAVER FRIENDLY EMPLOYER

We are a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. We sign the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopt its principles. We support those who identify as care‑experienced and meet the essential criteria via interview and constructive feedback.

WORKPLACE ADJUSTMENTS

We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field during recruitment and employment. If you require adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements, please contact us via [e-mail].