Widening Participation Programmes Coordinator

External Engagement & Global

Summary of the role

We currently have an exciting opportunity available within the Access, Participation & Outreach Team to help the University of Exeter with its aim of attracting the best students to consider studying at the University irrespective of their background. 

The main focus of the postholder’s role will be supporting widening participation (WP) activities associated with our longitudinal fair access programmes to support the University’s progress against its Access & Participation Plan.  The postholder will work with a range of individuals, primarily prospective students but also key influencers such as teachers and parents/carers, employers and alumni, and with colleagues from Professional Services and Faculties.  Responsibilities will include being the first point on contact for programme participants and their families, developing and delivering events, creating resources and ensuring that all activity is impactful and effectively evaluated.  You will have the opportunity to reduce the barriers to progressing to university that the young people we work with face and to help them make informed choices about their futures.  Our widening participation activities are a key part of building and sustaining partnerships with schools across the country and the role this Coordinator plays is essential to their success.         

With excellent communication, organisational and administrative skills, you will be confident in working with groups of pupils from various age groups and delivering information to prospective students and their families. With a good knowledge of the issues surrounding progression to higher education, you will also need to be flexible, adaptable and enjoy working as a part of a team.

Appointment will be subject to a DBS check.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 39 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

For further information, please contact Melissa Ruddock, WP Manager, [email protected]