Smart Works is a UK charity that exists to give unemployed women the clothing, coaching and confidence they need to succeed at interview and get the job. The Smart Works community brings this mission to life, working together to support and empower women in their professional pursuits.
As a member of the Smart Works community, either as a staff member, trustee or volunteer, you will play a fundamental role in delivering our service, constantly innovating to tackle the challenge of women’s unemployment.
If you are passionate about and empowered by our values and mission, join our team and help transform a woman’s life.
Our Values
Our Purpose & Values
Smart Works’ purpose is to inspire and empower all women who need help getting into work. This goal is at the centre of how we operate, ensuring that our clients are the focus of all our decisions, actions, and efforts.
In delivery of services and in maintaining a professional environment, we operate with high standards of conduct, while always remembering to have fun. At Smart Works, we are guided by a set of foundational values that we look to for how to behave and carry out our mission. With these values at the heart of our charity, our team at Smart Works is committed to fostering an environment that supports our staff, clients and services.
Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy
Smart Works is dedicated to nurturing a culture of diversity and inclusivity. We want Smart Works to be a place where everyone feels accepted, valued, and able to thrive.
In June 2023, Smart Works launched an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategy to align with our Three Year Plan. It is grounded in one of our core values – Accessible Aspiration, which is the promise that Smart Works will always be approachable and inclusive, empowering others to thrive and fulfil their potential. It is our commitment to removing any barriers and behaviours that prevent Smart Works from being truly diverse and inclusive. Please click here to read this Strategy.
Our Community
Our incredible internal community of staff, volunteers, and trustees all come together to deliver our service across the UK. We are dedicated to supporting and empowering women in their professional pursuits, working together to support our clients with the clothing and coaching they need to get the job, and transform their lives.
Smart Works is a national charity based across the UK. Our HQ in North London powers the infrastructure of our charity and works closely with each local centre to deliver the Smart Works service. Each Smart Works centre is run by a dedicated team of staff and a volunteer board of trustees, and powered by local volunteers. Together, they have the connections, knowledge, and insight to inspire and empower women in their local area who need help getting into work.
A sense of camaraderie is an important part of our culture at Smart Works and you will experience this as soon as you join us. Wherever you are based in the UK and whatever your role, you are part of the energetic, dynamic and friendly community of Smart Works.
Hear from our team
Buki— Outreach Executive
In her position as Outreach Executive, Buki assists the Outreach Manager and Service Delivery team across London to increase the number of women we support. She empathically engages with potential clients at events to encourage referrals to Smart Works, plays an active role in building and maintaining referral partner relationships across London, and supports client services in our centres.
“Smart Works is the kind of place you can’t help but take pride in working for. In my outreach role I have the privilege of finding those who most need our service, as part of a task force increasing the number of clients we reach. From that first contact, I get to see them through their entire journey with us, witnessing firsthand the transformative process some genuine pampering and the consequent boost of confidence can have on the self-worth of women who step into our safe and welcoming centres.
The charity fosters a supportive community that fuels my professional growth, expands my skills, and empowers me to make a meaningful impact in the very personal and tangible mission of empowering women to thrive in turn.”
Corina — Greater Manchester Wardrobe, Events and Communications Lead
Corina supervises wardrobes, manages social media accounts, leads fashion sales, and supports day-to-day operations. She has also served as a volunteer stylist and an administrative assistant. As a firm believer in empowering others, Corina has found ways to consistently use her career at Smart Works as a catalyst for change.
“I have been fortunate to hold various positions in my eight years at Smart Works, during which I have been supported by the safe and welcoming Smart Works community. Because of this, I have a holistic understanding of how Smart Works’ mission changes lives, including my own. The way we value an empathetic and inclusive workplace allows me to flourish and expand my communication, organisational, and leadership skills, while also encouraging me to stay grounded in my commitment to empowering others.”
Ella — Head of Events and Community Fundraising
Ella oversees Smart Works’ events and community based fundraising initiatives, including Fashion Sales, pop-up shops, Fashion Club events, and sporting challenges. After first joining Smart Works as an administrative volunteer, Ella began her Smart Works career as the manager of Smart Works’ West London centre.
“When I first learned about Smart Works, I knew it was an organisation I had to be involved in. Throughout my career at the charity, my initial interest in and passion for the organisation and its cause has only grown. I get to work with incredibly talented teams both within the Smart Works community and across the retail and corporate brands who support us. The charity’s emphasis on thoughtful professionalism has allowed me to develop and refine my expertise and skills, with opportunities to work on a huge variety of projects. I love that my role plays an important part in generating more support for Smart Works and ensuring we can reach more women in need of our help.”