Senior Schools & Colleges Engagement Manager; Widening Access

ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities.

Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

About the role:

To support the delivery of our Institutional Strategy and Access and Participation Plan (APP), we have an exciting opportunity for a fixed-term maternity cover Senior Schools and Colleges Engagement Manager (Widening Access) to join our Schools and Colleges Engagement Team within the Directorate of Marketing, External Relations and Engagement.

This role will provide strategic leadership for widening access activity, leading the development, delivery and evaluation of evidence-informed programmes that raise aspirations, support attainment and improve progression outcomes for underrepresented learners. You will use data, insight and sector evidence to develop strategic and operational plans, target activity effectively and maximise impact.

We are seeking an innovative and analytical leader with excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-management skills. You will be confident using data to inform decision‑making, managing budgets and resources, and building strong partnerships with schools, colleges, local authorities and community organisations.

You will be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and bring significant experience of leading widening access, participation or student recruitment activity within higher or further education. Experience of leading and developing teams, delivering strategic objectives and representing an organisation externally is essential.

The successful applicant will be based at our Chelmsford or Cambridge campus, with a minimum of 60% of working time spent face‑to‑face and up to 40% worked remotely. Regular regional travel and occasional evening and weekend working will be required.

This appointment is subject to an enhanced children’s and adults barred list disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information can be obtained from

It is expected that face‑to‑face interviews will take place Thursday 5 November (campus tbc).

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr. Katie Groves, at [email protected]

Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.

We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that ARU will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.

This appointment is subject to an enhanced level children’s and adults barred list disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further information can be obtained from  Shortlisted candidates will be required to disclose any…