Widening Participation Officer

Full time, Fixed Term

Location: York

Salary: £31,236 to £33,951 per annum

Introduction to YSJ university

Situated in the heart of the historic city of York, and with the addition of our London Campus, York St John University has a long and proud tradition as a distinguished higher education provider. Our success is founded on the quality of academic teaching and research, our thriving campus environments, our professional and pastoral support, and our values of an inclusive, innovative and ambitious community with a strong sense of belonging.

The Team

The role sits within the Student Recruitment & Widening Participation Team which consists of a team of 13 staff and circa 150 Student Ambassadors.

The Role

The Widening Participation Officers plays a significant role in supporting underrepresented groups within higher education. They organise and deliver key interventions, using research and data. They play a significant role in helping the University meet its Access and Participation Plan objectives. Excellent project managers, they coordinate a variety of internal stakeholders and often work collaboratively with external stakeholders such as charities and other universities. They also organise school and college visits and attend external recruitment events such as UCAS and UKUS fairs and events at schools and colleges.

Required Skills And Experience

The role requires a significant amount of project work and the postholder must be a strong project manager who is able to develop positive relationships with internal stakeholders. They must be able to work with data and conduct research in order to devise, deliver and evaluate interventions to support underrepresented groups within higher education. The postholder will be a strong presenter and communicator and possess the ability to connect with, and provide high-quality Information Advice and Guidance to people of different ages and from various backgrounds. The role requires working unsociable hours, including some weekends, and occasional travel across the UK.

Additional Information

For informal queries about the role, please contact Grant Saker, Head of Student Recruitment & Widening Participation on g.saker1@yorksj.ac.uk or 07538904133.

It is anticipated that the selection process will include an interview and presentation. Further details will be provided if you are shortlisted for interview.

Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship. However, we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities and welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.

This vacancy is scheduled to close on the date indicated at the bottom of this advert, but we may close earlier if we receive a high level of applications.

Application process support

We are keen to support you throughout the recruitment process. Before starting your application please refer to the attached candidate application form guidance below which provides advice about completing the application process.

If you require a reasonable adjustment in order to apply for this position please contact vacancies@yorksj.ac.uk. Within the application form there is an opportunity for you to request a reasonable adjustment at the interview stage of the process, however if you wish to discuss this in further detail at any point in the process please do not hesitate to contact us. The following resource may help you adapt the device you are using to apply to suit your needs My Computer My Way (abilitynet.org.uk)

Please note that CVs are not accepted in place of the application form. Within the application process you will be asked to answer a selection of work-related questions. Our aim is to get to know you, and understand your individual skills and experience, and how you would apply these within the role. We are aware that AI can be helpful in shaping your responses, but we encourage you to share your answers in your own words.

Our Benefits Package

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including -

Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants) Pension scheme Health Cash Plan after six months service Employee Assistance Programme Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software Relocation expenses package for certain roles Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and Visa loan scheme for additional costs (if applicable to the role)

Further Information About Life At YSJ

Our attached 'further information' document below provides further information about our culture, achievements and testimonials from our employees.

Read more about our culture, inclusive community, working arrangements and benefits for York St John employees

Read the latest news, views and stories from our staff and students.

Read more about our commitment to managing and reducing our environmental impact and to promoting sustainable development wherever we can.

Closing Date - Thursday 21 May 2026 at midnight

Provisional Interview Date - Wednesday 10 June 2026

Further Details

Job Description

Further Information

Candidate application form guidance

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