10 Flexible Careers To Consider For The New Year

‘Flexible working’, ‘flexwork’, ‘flexi time’, whatever you want to call it, it’s here to stay.

Cited as the number one priority for job seekers (in our The Great Migration report on post-pandemic careers), flexible work has leapt forward what feels like 15 years in a mere two years. Having control over when you start and finish work, which days you work, and whether you can job share with a part-time schedule, all make up the myriad of flexi-work possibilities available in today’s job market. 

Luckily for those who are employed by UK organisations, this week new legislation was put forward that awards all employees the legal right to request flexible working from day one (not wait at least 26 weeks as before). This is a great move, but it’s worth remembering that employees have no right to receive flexible working hours in response, and there are still a lot of careers out there that just don’t suit flexiwork due to their responsibilities and commitments.

With that in mind, we thought it would be interesting to muse up a list of jobs that would lend well to flexible working. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, and working in these jobs doesn't guarantee flexi-work, but if it’s your number one priority for a career change, they could set you on the right track.

So without further ado, here are 10 potentially elastically flexible careers that could also lend well to the world of purposeful work. Whether you are already established in these fields, need to re-train, or ‘pivottt’ (Friends fans unite! Click the sofa with the volume up), we hope that they will inspire you to think outside the box, and move a little bit closer to a career you love. 

Freelance Writer or Editor

Can you spot a grammatical error miles off? Are your friends often in awe of your vocabulary acrobatics? If language is your thing, you could get into freelance writing, editing or proofreading. There are so many options here, and in every sector imaginable. From drafting marketing texts for a purpose-led company, to proofreading CVs of under-represented youth, the world is your linguistic oyster. If you can work for an impact-led organisation that offers flexi-hours then you’ll be all set - or alternatively you could launch yourself as a freelancer and work on project-based jobs, giving you the flexibility to decide your hours. 

Writer jobs and Editor jobs on Escape the City

Software Developer or Engineer

As the digitalisation revolution continues, there’s no doubt that the demand for software engineers and developers will keep steadily rising. Whether it’s developing mobile apps, or an online web product, the possibilities for these jobs are endless. Plus, as practically all of the work is done on the computer, and much of it alone, these careers are more than compatible with flexible and remote working. Time to get coding!

Software engineer and software developer jobs on Escape the City

Fundraising Manager

Are you a whizz at storytelling, able to persuade others, and known for your organisational skillz? Fundraising managers support charities, NGOs and impact-led projects, by turning numbers and data into compelling reasons to donate. With a diverse range of potential tasks including designing campaigns, attracting corporate sponsors, planning events, and more, you’ll never get bored!

Fundraising jobs on Escape

UX Designer

Are you good with Adobe photoshop, creative, and tech savvy? Then UX (user experience) or UI (user interface) work might be for you. UX/UI designers work to create, review and improve the usability, accessibility and aesthetics of web products and apps. Similar to software developers/engineers, most of the work is completed on the computer, with feedback from teams and clients along the way. If you often find yourself analysing the ‘look’ of digital products or apps, then this career could be your calling.

UX/UI jobs on Escape the City

Graphic Designer

Do you ever find yourself staring at a logo, in awe of how clever it is? Or how about wondering how they achieved the visual feel of a social media campaign, or pondering the layout of a poster? Then graphic design might be the outlet for all your creative energy. Armed with just a computer (and potentially a graphic design tablet), the work of a graphic designer can be as flexible as you like, depending on whether you go freelance or employed at an impact-led organisation. Training is as important as building up a portfolio, so start small, and build up your work on the side until you have a wide range of examples to show off.

Graphic design jobs on Escape the City

Teacher or Tutor

Perhaps you are already a teacher in a physical school or academy, have a qualification to teach a language, or are an expert in your field? Tutoring is a snazzy way to use your skills and pass them on to the next generation of students, so that your knowledge and passion for your subject can live on. Whether you fancy living in an exotic location for a change, working online, or even in a certified school, tutoring can offer different schedules to traditional 9-5 jobs. For example, if you cover ‘after work’ classes in the evenings, you’ll have more free time in the day instead!

Tutor jobs on Escape the City

Marketing or Social Media Manager

Depending on the team, and whether you’re freelance, part-time or full-time, there are lots of flexible working possibilities in the digital communications world. From bulk scheduling social media posts, to planning out the timeline of a marketing campaign, to setting up a newsletter, many (if not all) marketing and social media tasks can be done online and without a fixed work schedule. 

Marketing and social media jobs on Escape the City

Financial Accountant

If numbers are your thing, and you’d like to put your mathematical skills to work for good, why not consider shifting your attention to purpose-led companies or charities? As a freelancer or flexible employee, financial accountants get to decide their own schedule, while they make sure the numbers are in order and the accounts are running smoothly.

Financial Accountant, Analyst and Controller jobs on Escape

Events Manager

If the prospect of project-based work, getting creative, overseeing a budget and the excitement of problem solving gets your heart racing, then perhaps event management is your next thing. Working online, and with hours that ramp up the closer it gets to an event, flexi-work is possible for Event Managers, or even Event Assistants that could work part-time. From charity fundraising events, to Impact award shows, there are many events out there just waiting for you to bring sparkly catering, big sponsors and engaging speakers to!

Events Manager jobs on Escape

People, Culture and HR Manager

Helping new employees settle in, strategising with managers the structure of new teams, prioritising themes like Diversity and Inclusion, and organising fun team events are just some of the tasks within human resources. If you’re working at a purposeful organisation, then this role is even more impactful, as you get to be part of the team that chooses the people working towards a common goal. And with more employees now being hired online, there are even more opportunities to get creative and mix up this field, too! 

People-focused roles on Escape

Inspired to jump into a remote working or flexible career? Check out our job board, with more than 1000+ purpose-led opportunities waiting for you! (And you can also set up a job alert so that you never have to search manually again!).