Head of Enhancement

The Widening Participation and Social Mobility (WPSM) directorate is excited to be recruiting for a Head of Enhancement secondment cover, until the end of October 2025. The post has strategic oversight of the University’s lifecycle-oriented Academic Skills Service that leads projects in support of the objectives of the University’s Access and Participation Plan (2024-2028).  These include addressing risks to equality of opportunity that pertain to both access and success for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

The Head of Enhancement will be responsible for the successful delivery of our award-winning Learn with US Transition programme, a partnership between schools and colleges centred on raising attainment at Key Stage 5, to improve equitable access to Higher Education. This has a specific focus working with centres offering the Extended Project Qualification AS Level, which we know promotes success at both KS5 and across the degree lifecycle. The role is also responsible for the provision of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL), Study Skills, Writing Support and Mathematics and Statistics guidance, as part of our student success initiatives to improve student agency and ameliorate systemic barriers.

Building on the work already in place, you will work closely with the Director and Associate Director of Widening Participation and Social Mobility to develop our provision in line with new guidance from the Office for Students. The ideal candidate will have experience of leading activity in an educational setting, with an in-depth understanding of Widening Participation policy relating to Higher Education. You will be an experienced leader who is able to develop strong relationships both within the university and at a sector level and able to create initiatives which mitigate risks to equality of opportunity. You will be a strategic, creative thinker able to create innovative projects which have students at the heart and be confident working to co-design activity.

You are encouraged to have an informal conversation about the role; please contact Dr Emma Thompson, Associate Director Widening Participation and Social Mobility (interim) on E.L.Thompson@soton.ac.uk for further information.

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