Assistant Director, Student Diversity And Inclusion

The role

Education and Student Success is a new division at the heart of the University of Bristol, with a mission of ensuring that all our students get an outstanding experience at Bristol, from the moment of first interest through to graduation and beyond. We are building a new leadership team within the Student Journey Team, and you could play a pivotal role in this.

The Assistant Director, Student Diversity and Inclusion will form a key part of our new Student Journey Team. Working in close partnership with the Director of Student Journey and other Assistant Directors, you will lead a newly formed team with responsibility for ensuring that the University diversifies our intake and that students from all backgrounds succeed, lead on the implementation of the Access and Participation Plan and act as an institutional expert on widening participation and student inclusion.

The role is primarily based on campus with up to two days home working per week.

If you are ready to make a significant impact, shape a new team, and thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment, this is an exceptional opportunity for you.

What will you be doing?

As Assistant Director, Student Diversity and Inclusion you will:

• Establish a Student Diversity and Inclusion team responsible for delivering the activity contained within the Access and Participation Plan (APP)
• Lead the development of strategy and practice to ensure that the University meets all Access and Participation Plan targets and University key performance indicators (KPIs) in relation to Student Diversity.
• Lead and develop strategy and practice to develop a sense of belonging for current students from underrepresented backgrounds including leading on the submission of the APP and creation of an institutional widening participation strategy.
• Lead work to improve student transition including strategic initiatives to close gaps in continuation rates and enhance personal tutoring, peer support and support for target groups.
• Lead work to improve student outcomes including strategic initiatives to close attainment gaps and embed inclusive education.
• Work with the Assistant Director: Student Recruitment and Lifecycle Events to implement a Data, Market Insight and Evaluation function which will provide expert analysis for all recruitment and widening participation activity across the University.
• Drive a data informed, evaluative approach to all widening participation interventions, ensuring continuous improvement and demonstrable return on investment.
• Liaise with the Office for Students to ensure that the University is meeting our regulatory responsibilities and contributing to the national agenda on access and participation.
• Manage an annual budget of around £3.5million, ensuring that all activities provide outstanding value for money and shaping activity in line with institutional priority.
• Interrogate data in relation to widening participation and student inclusion, report findings to senior committees making recommendations for future policy.
• Work with colleagues from across the University, acting as an expert on Student Diversity and Inclusion activity and strategy.

You should apply if

We are seeking candidates who meet the following essential criteria for the Assistant Director, Student Diversity and Inclusion role:

• Experience of leading multiple functions with complex remits.
• Commitment to social mobility and track record in making progress against challenging targets.
• Ability to develop and operationalise strategy.
• Outstanding data analysis skills.
• Astute understanding of changes in education, economic, societal, and governmental environments and their impact on student and prospective student cohorts.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and motivate at all levels.
• Proven experience in developing new services in liaison with key stakeholders to address areas of strategic need.

For a full view of requirements please look at the job description attached below, but if the aforementioned describes you, we’d encourage you to apply.

Why choose us?

Join a top-ranked UK research university, offering a hybrid work environment, competitive pay, and flexible working arrangements. Benefit from attractive perks, a strong pension scheme, and access to development and well-being programs. Embrace our inclusive culture, join diverse staff networks, and become part of a supportive community.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended

Work pattern: Full-time

Grade: L

Salary: £57,696-£64,914 per annum

School/Unit: Education & Student Success

For informal queries, please contact Doug Jennings, Director of Student Journey, on Doug.Jennings@bristol.ac.uk

This advert will close at23:59 GMTon 10/03/2024. Interviews are anticipated to take place 26th March.

Our strategy and mission