Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Are you a pro-active and influential leader with a passion for and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion? Do you have the professional expertise and experience to provide leadership to deliver our ambitious EDI agenda? Can you work collaboratively to further develop our culture of inclusivity and belonging?

The University of Leeds is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. It is central to everything we do as an institution and community, and is a vital and inseparable component of our University strategy. The role of Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a senior position which leads the delivery of our ambitious EDI strategy. Reporting to the University Secretary and Registrar, you will be responsible for the professional operational leadership of the EDI agenda, working in partnership with our Academic Dean of EDI and other (cognate) deans and professional services directors. You will also work closely with our students’ union (LUU). The remit of the role includes EDI responsibilities relating to staff, students, partners and civic engagement.

You will have significant demonstrable EDI expertise and experience and will bring strategic thinking, leadership credibility and influencing skills to shape and deliver sustainable change. You will oversee the Equality and Inclusion Unit, its function, budget and activities, including those relating to regulatory requirements and legal responsibilities.

Internally, you will be influential, engaging and empathetic, ensuring that our leaders and all members of the University community are focused on supporting the delivery of our EDI strategic objectives. Drawing on professional expertise, you will work with the Academic Dean of EDI and other senior leaders to shape and deliver a range of EDI initiatives and, working collaboratively, you will share responsibility for developing a culture of inclusivity and belonging, acknowledging that all perspectives make a valuable contribution to our environment.

Externally, you will be a credible and respected EDI leader who can influence policy through engagement and collaboration at a national level, working with sector peers and third party organisations. You will also ensure that the University benefits from your awareness and understanding of current UK EDI legislation and global EDI thinking.

You will be a member of the Executive’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, ensuring that our key internal stakeholders are fully engaged in the delivery of EDI action plans. You will proactively engage with faculty and service E&l Committees, staff networks and other key groups to advance the EDI agenda.

The role of Director of EDI is critical in leading work to ensure that EDI responsibilities, practices and principles are embedded across our core activities of education, research and societal impact. We are also committed to diversifying our workforce and becoming more representative of the various communities we serve and work with, and we would welcome candidates who can support us in achieving this aim.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/closure days.
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance.
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at our state-of-the-art campus gym and sports halls.
• Personal development courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!  

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Jennifer Sewel, University Secretary and Registrar
Email: j.a.sewel@leeds.ac.uk  

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