The vacancy
Are you passionate about making higher education accessible to all? We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join our team as Head of Widening Participation and HE Engagement. This pivotal role will lead the development and delivery of inclusive, evidence-informed outreach and engagement initiatives across our higher education provision.
You will be responsible for overseeing our Access and Participation Plan (APP), ensuring alignment with the Office for Students (OfS) regulatory expectations, and driving forward our commitment to improving access, participation, and outcomes for underrepresented learners.
Key Responsibilities
1. Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of the institution’s Access and Participation Plan.
2. Develop and implement a comprehensive outreach strategy targeting underrepresented groups.
3. Build and maintain partnerships with schools, colleges, local authorities, and community organisations.
4. Oversee transition and pre-entry support programmes for prospective students.
5. Line manage outreach staff and student interns, and deliver CPD on inclusive practice.
Essential Criteria
6. A Higher Education qualification.
7. In-depth understanding of Access and Participation Plans, OfS priorities, and Gatsby Benchmarks.
8. Proven ability to build and maintain partnerships with schools, colleges, and community organisations.
9. Significant experience managing widening participation or outreach programmes.
10. Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to use data to inform practice.
Why Join Us?
11. Competitive salary
12. 30 Bookable annual leave days, bank holidays, and 2 weeks off at Christmas.
13. Professional development opportunities.
14. Access to same-day GP appointments, high street discounts, discounted hair and beauty treatments, electric car scheme.
15. On-site gym & florist (site dependent).
16. Access to our In-house Food Hall & Coffee Shops.
Interested? Click 'Apply Now!'
For further information about the role, please contact:
Additional Information
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, we will conduct social media checks on shortlisted candidates. All successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS.
Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Closing date: 25th September 2025
Interview date: 2nd of October 2025
About us
Here at Doncaster College and University Centre we understand that choosing what to do next can be a huge decision. It’s not just about the course you choose to study, it is about the tutors, the experiences and the friends you meet along the way.
We have over 120 courses at full and part-time, from entry level right up to university level. As well as the vast amount of courses on offer, we ensure all our students get the right support and guidance whether it is through our careers service, our additional learning support, counselling, student finance and many other services all tailored to each individual.
Our exciting and modern campus is in a central location, packed with workspaces designed to industry standard. We work directly with employers allowing you real work experience and industry insight that you will not get from sitting behind a desk.
The benefits
All employees at DN Colleges Group enjoy a generous annual leave allowance, as well as an additional 2 weeks closure over the Christmas period. We encourage all our teams to take regular breaks, no longer than 3 weeks, to enjoy a healthy work life balance.
DN Colleges Group are committed to Health and Wellbeing of all our employees. We have an increasing number of provisions exclusive to our employees, designed to help you stay at your best or to assist and provide support when you need it.
Health and fitness suite
Generous annual leave
2 weeks off at Christmas
Electric car scheme
17. Vivup – Employee Wellbeing and Benefits platform
18. Wellness initiatives, onsite during your working week. This could include health visitors, financial advisers, or physio specialists.
19. Onsite fitness classes, at lunchtime or after work in conjunction with our Sports colleagues.
20. Cycle to Work and Electric car scheme
21. Free Eye Care Vouchers
22. Discounted Hair and Beauty services
23. On site nursery
24. Online access to Remploy which is our 24/7 confidential mental health and counselling resource.
25. In house counselling/safeguarding specialists to assist in Wellbeing
Lets Teach Programme
Let’s Teach The LET’s teach programme supports new members of teaching staff in terms of college systems and key teaching and learning areas including new staff lesson visits and postcard peeps. Each new member of staff has an allocated Lead Practitioner who works closely with them throughout the programme.
Let’s Bloom
The LET’s Bloom Programme aims to connect our experienced and qualified teachers to share best practice and support continued risk-taking as we continue to add depth to our teaching craft. Teachers volunteer on this one year programme, working closely with the Learning Enhancement Team, capturing their experimentation in a journal.