Widening Access and Participation Assistant Manager

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here .

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role

This role sits within Student Recruitment and Admission’s Widening Access and Participation Team. We work to inspire, educate, motivate and support the choices of young people traditionally under-represented at university, and Durham University in particular. Widening participation is a key target in the University’s Education Strategy. The role currently supports our schools outreach and widening participation portfolio, which is responsible for a variety of widening access and participation initiatives involving schools, colleges, and young people who are typically in post-16 education. This main purpose of the role is to support recruitment of students from under-represented backgrounds. The post-holder will help continue the University’s current success in promoting fair access and support the development of new approaches to encourage young people from non-HE backgrounds to apply and enrol at Durham.

The Widening Access and Participation Assistant Manager will support a range of access and participation activities delivered by the team. The post-holder is expected to play a key role in the development and delivery of sustained and progressive programmes for students who are under-represented at Durham, such as students of Asian heritage, Black heritage, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This will be achieved by facilitating collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders who support outreach work and developing relationships with target schools. You will be expected to contribute significantly to the management, coordination, and delivery of a wide range of activities for young people, including by presenting and facilitating activities personally. Within the role, there may also be scope to have line-management responsibility. The role is also likely to direct the work of Durham Student Ambassadors who are current students employed to support the delivery of activity and events.

The post-holder will be responsible for supporting and deputising for the Widening Access and Participation Managers in delivering widening participation strategies and fulfilling the requirements of the University’s Access and Participation Plan. They will also be expected to support broader Widening Access and Participation and Student Recruitment and Admissions activities, such school visits, residential activities, open days, UCAS Fairs, campus tours and during Confirmation & Clearing.



The Department – Recruitment and Admissions

Based in the Student and Academic Services Directorate, Student Recruitment and Admissions (SRA) comprises approximately 100 staff and brings together several teams providing services in events, enquiry management, widening access and participation, outreach, schools liaison, CRM campaigns, data analysis and forecasting, systems development, and admissions.

We are committed to creating a welcoming an inclusive environment where our people feel supported and valued, enabling them to not only succeed but thrive. The opinions and expertise of our teams are welcomed to help shape departmental activities.

SRA provides a critical service to the University in ensuring its financial sustainability, delivering target student numbers and increasing diversity in line with strategic aims and targets. It is the public face of the University in UK schools and colleges, through contact with prospects, enquirers and applicants across the world, and through our events programme. The department includes a range of professionals from a number of specialisms including administrators, decision makers, data analysts and forecasters, IT specialists, designers and marketers, events managers and recruiters. Teams work collaboratively, using the expertise across the department to jointly deliver the optimum service to our internal and external customers. The department is also responsible for adherence to requisite regulations and UCAS contract requirements.

SRA works in collaboration with colleagues across the University, most notably with the Marketing Team (Marketing and Communications) to develop pre-contact and conversion marketing campaigns, the International Office for international student recruitment and Strategic Planning and Insight in managing numbers. It also works alongside academic departments, faculties and colleges in the development of their contributions to recruitment, conversion and admissions activity. SRA also provides domestic market insight and customer relationship management. Current students are closely involved in the delivery of some of our recruitment, conversion, widening access and participation activity.

Holly Chatbot, an AI Assistant developed by Student Recruitment and Admissions with colleagues in Computer and Information Services and an external company (ICS.AI) was shortlisted for the Times Higher Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year 2021 .

Staff leave is not permitted during the week that JCQ results are published (that date in 2024 is week commencing 12 August) and on occasional days through the year when major recruitment events are delivered, such as open days. This post is further restricted around core activity that the post holder is responsible for, such as summer residential activity typically taking place in July and August each year.

Working arrangements : This is a full-time, open-ended/permanent role. Working hours are usually 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday as is standard in Recruitment and Admissions. However, due to the nature of the role, the post holder is frequently required to work outside of these times and occasionally on evenings, weekends or overnight. This role provides support to residential activity that takes place at certain points of the year and therefore requires some working residentially. The role requires travel around the North East and nationally, which may include nights away from home. We are currently working in a hybrid way, meaning that some remote working is possible. SRA has adopted a hybrid working model, with staff currently working a minimum of 40% of their time per week on-campus or attending external events, and for the rest of their working time having the option of working from home. Time spent working overnight will be compensated with time off in lieu.

Further information about the role’s responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here .

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role

Qualifications :

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. A degree or equivalent work based experience and five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics

2. Experience and expertise in the development and delivery of widening participation and/or student recruitment services.

3. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.  

4. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.

5. Experience of supervising/managing a team and/or a line management qualification.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally, including the ability to deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences, such as parents, pupils in schools, Durham Student Ambassadors, and academic staff.

7. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.

8. Ability to create materials and resources aimed at instructing whilst engaging young people, including primary school aged children. The ability to create online resources, or at least the willingness to learn, will be essential.

9. Committed to continuing professional development.

10. Ability to plan and organise complex events and activities for young people, preferably in a higher education setting.

11. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

12. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

13. A commitment to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

14. Ability and willingness to drive, including having a full UK driving licence.

Desirable criteria

15. Experienced widening participation professional, with knowledge and expertise gained in a similar role used to contribute to the delivery and development of services, events and activities aimed at young people. 

16. An understanding of current trends in higher education, especially for student recruitment, social mobility, and access and participation. 

Specific role requirements:

· DBS Check.

· Ability to travel independently between remote locations and transport promotional materials and equipment (i.e. display stands), with the requirement to travel and work during evenings and weekends.

· Occasional weekend/evening working will be required. This is to attend external events such as school visits and to assist with tasks such as open days and undergraduate confirmation.

· Due to the operational needs of the office, the number of staff permitted to be on annual leave during peak times is restricted. All staff are expected to work during all undergraduate open days in June/July and September. Leave is very restricted during August due to the timing of summer residential activity and the undergraduate confirmation period.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:
• A CV
• A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. We encourage applicants to consider using a clear format, such as a table or by using sub-headings.

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Richard Coldwell would be happy to speak to you. Richard can be contacted at: Richard.Coldwell@durham.ac.uk .

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

· Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

· Reactive and proactive delivery of widening access and participation events and activities with others to shape and deliver an excellent experience for young people, teachers/advisers, parents/carers and internal stakeholders, including delivering presentations and leading other activities.

· Ensure that any procedures and expectations that apply throughout the University are reflected in all aspects of the service provided by the team and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.

· Provide specialist advice and resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible, for example activities related to the measures and targets laid out in the University’s Access and Participation Plan, especially where this relates to underrepresented groups or school engagement.

· Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as resolving enquiries from prospective students or logistical challenges on events and make recommendations based on your findings.

· Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment, facilities, and systems to ensure safety, security and compliance.

· Provide the best possible service to young people, teachers/advisers, parents/carers, and other stakeholders by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.

· Collect and record data and information accurately and provide reports to senior colleagues.

· Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.

Planning and Organisation

· Plan and organise operational activities carried out by Recruitment and Admissions, particularly the activities relating to schools outreach and widening participation that you are responsible for.

· Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services and provide related advice and guidance to other staff

Team Development

· Supervise team members and any other people/resources that are assigned to you and provide an initial response to any related HR issues.

· Supervisory responsibility for one or more team members, such as graduate ambassadors, administrators or coordinators, if required.

· Supervise and support student ambassadors during events and activities for which you are responsible or contributing to the leadership of.

· Explain systems and procedures to induct new starters into the team and provide specialist advice and guidance including any training.

· Contribute to performance review processes by providing feedback on individual and team objectives and expectations and considering any development needs.

Communication/Liaison

· Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.

· Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.

· Build relationships with relevant third parties such as schools and colleges, charities, and other internal and external partners to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

· Use a range of digital media and tools to communicate with a diverse range of key stakeholders, both verbally and in written format who may need to access information.

· Establish, maintain and develop productive and ongoing relationships with stakeholders to influence perception of the University. 

· Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.