Exec Mentoring Programme with Sky
- Do you want to learn leadership skills and receive career guidance from the leaders of one of the UK’s leading brands?
- We are looking for people aged 18–30, who identify as black or ethnic minority, and have experienced socio-economic barriers.
- Do you want to be a part of helping Sky’s leaders learn about the barriers facing socially and ethnically diverse talent, and what they need to do to drive change?
Later this Autumn, we are launching a brand new co-mentoring programme with members of Sky’s Executive team. In this programme Sky’s Execs will work 1:2:1 with someone like you, aged 18–30, from our network and wider community over a six-month period.
Interested, but want to hear more first?
Register here to join one of our information webinars (Wednesday 20th or Tuesday 26th October 6–7pm)
Through a combination of group events and 1:2:1 meetings between you and your Exec mentoring partner, this programme will help Sky’s Execs understand and continue to remove barriers that stop talent, like you, from reaching the top of UK businesses, but will also give you invaluable insights and input that will support your long-term career success.
Having recently interviewed the Sky Execs, we know that they are all committed to unlocking the potential of socially & ethnically diverse talent at all levels of the organisation. While you will receive invaluable input and coaching support from someone who is at the top of their field, you will also help them become champions of diverse talent and lead positive change at Sky.
Definitely for you?
Apply here (application form will take 15–20 minutes to complete).
The deadline for applications is 9pm Sunday 31st October 2021.
Who are the mentors?
The Sky Exec Mentors are responsible for running a multi-million-pound business, and leading thousands of people every day. They have all had extensive business experience — at Sky and elsewhere.
What does the programme involve?
Over 6-months (November 2021 to May/June 2022) you will meet with your mentor for at least four 1:2:1 sessions, as well as three group events when the mentors and mentees will come together.
The programme will start with a group launch event, which we hope will be held at Sky’s HQ in West London. In this session you will meet your Exec mentoring partner, as well as connect with others on the programme. Half-way through the programme, we come back together as a group, at an event held at one of our partner community venues. Over dinner, we speak frankly about diversity & inclusion and the challenges talent face in UK business today. We create the space for you to say the things you need leaders to hear. Through authentic, inspiring, energising and, sometimes, challenging discussions we help open leaders’ eyes to a reality they may not usually have to face themselves, so that they can help build a more inclusive workplace and society. And we end the programme with a Closing Event in which everyone shares the impact the programme has had on them.
Between the Launch and Closing sessions, you will have at least four 1:2:1 meetings with your mentor. The first of these will involve you taking your mentor on a ‘tour-of-your-life’ around the community you grew up in. It will involve showing them important places to you so that they can understand just how resilient and determined you have had to be to get to where you are today — such as your school, places you shopped, where your family lives/lived whilst you were growing up — and then finding somewhere to discuss the key events in your life that have helped shape you into the person you have become today. This meeting is hugely beneficial and impactful.
We hope to be able to run most of the programme face-to-face. If you are shielding due to Covid, please let us know.
What will I gain from the experience?
You will:
- Gain professional and personal confidence
- Develop critical communication, decision-making and influencing skills
- Build a potentially lasting relationship with someone who can have a profound impact on your career
- Connect with like-minded peers
Want to find out more?
Register here to join one of our information webinars (Wednesday 20th or Tuesday 26th October 6–7pm)
Who can apply?
- You are aged 18–30
- You identify as black or ethnic minority
- You have experienced socio-economic barriers.
- You want to learn and develop leadership skills
- You want to be a part of creating genuine change for ambitious socially and ethnically diverse talent
Please note you DO NOT need to be a university student or graduate. Your desire to learn, contribute and commitment to the programme is far more important than your formal education.
It is of real importance that you want to make a difference and learn. You need to be up for some potentially difficult conversations about the experiences you have had so that your mentor can really get it. You don’t need to be an expert in diversity & inclusion. You just need to be authentic, brave and open.
You can apply for this programme whether you are working or studying (We can provide information for you to share with your employer/ line manager/ university tutor). Previous mentees have managed full-time work, part-time study and the programme.
You can apply if you have worked with us before or if this is a completely new experience for you.
The deadline for applications is 9pm Sunday 31st October 2021.
Know you want to apply? Apply here (application form will take 15–20 minutes to complete)
What is the time commitment?
The three Group Events, typically last three to five hours, and run from mid-afternoon into the evening (and include dinner). These are sessions run by the AE team and are designed to facilitate frank, open and sometimes challenging conversations about diversity and inclusion in UK Business. We plan to run these events face-to-face. The first group event will be held at Sky’s HQ in West London.
The 1:2:1s typically last two hours. The 1:2:1s will be a combination of online and in-person — which may involve a trip to Sky’s HQ (all travel expenses will be paid for by the programme). These will be a combination of discussions about your career/ life goals and helping your Mentor gain a deeper understanding of what actions they can take in their part of the business to accelerate change for socially & ethnically diverse talent.
If you are shielding, or have at-risk family members please let us know on the application form. It will not negatively impact your application.
Know you want to apply? Do so here: Apply here
FAQ
Is there any cost involved? No — Sky will cover all reasonable travel expenses you incur as part of the programme.
Do I have to want to work at Sky? Not at all. But you do need to want to have a successful career in a corporate/large business and be genuinely interested in the role a company like Sky can play in leading change.
Do I need to live in London? No. The programme is open to anyone from the UK and Ireland.
I am working currently — will I need to take time off for the programme? Yes, but not much. Between the group events and some of the 1:2:1s you may need to take up to 2–3 days off work over the period (mainly as half-days, however, if you have the option to work flexibly you may not need to take any time off). If you are in work currently we can provide you with information on the programme to share with your manager (great managers realise this is an exceptional opportunity). It is important that you have their support for this programme so that they are ok if you need to leave work a little early to meet your mentor.
The three Group Events, typically last three to five hours, and run from mid-afternoon into the evening (and include dinner). These are sessions run by the AE team and are designed to facilitate frank, open and sometimes challenging conversations about diversity and inclusion in UK Business. We plan to run these events face-to-face. The first group event will be held at Sky’s HQ in West London.
The 1:2:1s typically last two hours. The 1:2:1s will be a combination of online and in-person — which may involve a trip to Sky’s HQ (all travel expenses will be paid for by the programme). These will be a combination of discussions about your career/ life goals and helping your Mentor gain a deeper understanding of what actions they can take in their part of the business to accelerate change for socially & ethnically diverse talent.
If you are shielding, or have at-risk family members please let us know on the application form. It will not negatively impact your application.
What happens after I apply?
Once we have reviewed all forms we will be in touch to arrange a 30 mins phone interview which will be held between Friday 5th and Tuesday 16th November.
Want to find out more? Register here for one of our Information Webinars
Applications close 9pm on Sunday 31st October
If you have any queries about this opportunity, please contact sadaf.bibi@arrivaleducation.com.
