Job Description

Vacancy No

VN2640

Location City

Manchester

Location Country

United Kingdom

Reports to:

People Operations Manager

Department:

People

Location:

Manchester

Number of roles:

1

Start date:

September 2026

THE C4 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME

If you are looking for an opportunity to gain work experience and a qualification, then an apprenticeship at Channel 4 might be for you.



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 provided will consist of workshops, tutorials, webinars, coaching and in some cases residential boot camps. You can read more about the qualification being offered for this apprenticeship below.



If you'd like some tips on writing your application before you apply, please watch our YouTube video, How to Write an Outstanding Application.

The programme aims to offer opportunities to those currently underrepresented in the TV industry, so we are particularly keen to hear from Deaf and/or disabled people, ethnically diverse people and people from lower socio-economic groups.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

You must be 18 years old or over at the time the scheme starts to apply. 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 similar 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

At Channel 4, we have four core behaviours that underpin everything we do. These are outlined below, and we will be assessing candidates on these behaviours throughout the recruitment process.

Include

We're Altogether Different, so let's 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: don't just go through the motions. Challenge positive and embrace change. Experiment & take smart risks.

Grow

Question everything and school yourself. Be generous with your knowledge with others and seek feedback from them. Be clear with your objectives.

Get it done

Make your time at Channel 4 count. Be a solution-finder, not a finger-pointer. Prioritise, decide, and then act--always commercially.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

At Channel 4, our People Team lives and breathes what makes us "Altogether Different." Inspired by our core behaviours Include, Innovate, Grow, and Get it Done we champion diversity, creativity, and collaboration. Our people-first approach ensures every employee feels supported and empowered to do their best work and are valued just as much as our viewers.



We are always striving to keep things simple and agile, using smart data and feedback to engage and understand our colleagues just as we do our viewers. By supporting our people managers and by trying to view our processes through their eyes, we can better share expertise to help create a high-performance, inspiring culture where everyone can thrive and make a difference.



During your apprentice you will support the People Operations Team in general completing all (daily, weekly, monthly & yearly) operational tasks and duties, gaining a variety of experiences, skills and knowledge within the people operations function at Channel 4, alongside the wider People team, whilst assisting with their personal growth and development.



This role sits alongside the people assistants' team and reports, in turn, to the People Operations Advisor. You will work alongside and collaborate, when needed, with both the wider People Operations & Experience Team and The People Team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the other People Assistants in maintaining confidential and personal employee data information within the 4people (HR) system (Sage People). Support in the optimising and testing of software updates and changes to 4people to ensure our systems remain secure, user-friendly and reflective of current policies and processes to the wider organisation. Collaborate with the wider People Operations & Experience Team & People Systems Manager to troubleshoot and resolve 4people system issues and queries. Assisting the People Partners with note-taking for ER cases when and if needed. Support employees with their full employee life cycle (onboarding, family leave, job changes, leavers etc). Support and manager monthly administration surrounding payroll processing. Manage multiple inboxes for any and all people, policy and process queries and help deliver the department SLA's. Being first line support for both employees and managers across the wider business, this includes query completion and query escalation were needed. Assisting in the ongoing maintenance and updates of policies, processes and flows to ensure they remain relevant. Ensure that all employee data is accurate and up to date at all times and undertaking any data cleanse exercises when and if needed. Understand and adhere to the principles of GDPR. Keep abreast of and research legislative changes that may impact HR functions, updating documentation as required. Support all administrative processes around the annual pay process, salary changes, promotions, leavers, and maternity (including maternity meetings) and contract extensions. Support the People Operations Team during ad-hoc and annual projects. Assist the Reward team in delivering the key cyclical projects, including annual pay and bonus review. Assist the Reward team in the collation of employee remuneration data when needed. Assist the Pension & Benefits team with the Benefits renewal cycle and any ad hoc Benefit projects when needed.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

As part of the application process you'll be asked to tell us how you meet the essential criteria listed below. When answering this question think about examples from your experience so far, this doesn't need to be professional experience but could be academic, from volunteering or a part-time job.

We've provided some examples beside the first four criteria of experience that could demonstrate you have these skills. Please note you do not need to use these examples, they are just here for guidance and you should draw from your own personal experiences.

Verbal and written communication skills - Verbal - e.g. experience of dealing with customers or working as part of a team. Communication - e.g. writing emails, completing an application form or essay, or if you have a hobby that involves creative writing.*
Attention to detail - e.g. Cashing up on tills or proofreading coursework.*
Organisation skills and ability to prioritise tasks - e.g. Planning events whether personal or for professional purposes, as well as managing work life balance, for example working whilst doing coursework/exams.*
An understanding of and a passion for Channel 4's remit Confirm you have Maths & English GCSE Grade C (4) or above Strong administrative experience, with demonstrable ability to handle confidential and sensitive material. Proven ability to prioritise tasks, use initiative, and manage tasks from multiple areas/people effectively. Keen eye for detail. Ability and experience to work well within a small team.

QUALIFICATION OFFERED WITH THIS APPRENTICESHIP

HR Support Level 3

LENGTH OF APPRENTICESHIP

18 Months

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 apprenticeships@channel4.co.uk



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 in order to take up this opportunity, we can offer you support towards the financial costs of moving. This includes a contribution towards your deposit and first month's rent, plus visits to your new city to look for accommodation.

Basic salary per annum starting from

24,328.00

Application questions to complete

Application questions

Please remember to complete the additional application questions by uploading a Word or PDF attachment. These questions really help us get to know you better and we won't be able to consider your application without them.

Referring to the essential criteria listed on the job description (which are all skills and experiences we deem important to thrive as a C4 apprentice), please use examples to demonstrate how you meet these (feel free to draw on academic, personal and professional experiences). (500 words max)

Can you share with us why representation and inclusion matter to you, and why you think they are important? (300 words max)

Please share a list of your current qualifications, including those you expect to obtain before the January 2025 start of this apprenticeship. We require this information to ensure your eligibility for the apprenticeship you are applying for.

Tell us about an achievement you are most proud of and why. It can be personal, collaborative, or academic? (200 words max)

What do you think are the main focuses and responsibilities of the People Operations & Experience team (HR operations) team? (300 words max)

What is your favourite Channel 4 programme and why, what would you bring back if you could? (200 words max)

Benefits

There are a million reasons why it's great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;




- 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.


Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our 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 are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.




Disability Confident Scheme:


Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Care Leaver Friendly Employer:


Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Workplace Adjustments:


We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e-mail recruitment@channel4.co.uk