Job Description

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 July 2027 in the first instance.
The University of Cambridge is seeking a talented and motivated individual to join our central Widening Participation (WP) team as Deputy Head of Widening Participation (Research and Training). This senior role sits at the heart of our efforts to improve access and participation for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Reporting to the Head of Widening Participation and Collaborative Outreach, you will:

• Undertake research and intelligence gathering to shape institutional priorities and strengthen best practice.
• Coordinate training and professional development for outreach practitioners across the collegiate University.
• Contribute to the delivery of our Access and Participation Plan (APP) commitments with the Office for Students.
• Manage and support an enthusiastic and collaborative team delivering evidence-based, high-impact outreach.

This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in advancing access and participation at one of the world's leading universities.
About you:
We are looking for an experienced and strategic professional with:

• In-depth knowledge of widening participation, access policy, and the higher education landscape.
• A track record in research, evaluation, and evidence-informed practice.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to coach and develop others.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience engaging diverse stakeholders.
• The ability to think strategically and translate insights into practical, high-impact action.
• Experience working in higher education or the widening participation sector is highly desirable, along with a commitment to evidence-based practice and sector-wide collaboration.

Benefits of working at Cambridge include:

• Competitive rates of pay with automatic service-related pay progression and annual cost of living increases
• Generous maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement and other family friendly schemes (e.g. workplace nurseries and salary exchange schemes for childcare)
• An auto-enrolment pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution
• Travel benefits and retail discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores
• Schemes to support with relocation / the provision of accommodation

Additional information regarding the role can be found within the Further Particulars. When applying, please upload your CV and cover letter which clearly sets out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification of the Further Particulars (the knowledge, skills, and experience required for the role) along with relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted and invited to interview based upon these criteria.
Applications are welcome both from external and internal candidates, including internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.
The University supports agile working, offering flexibility in how and where colleagues work, typically combining remote and on-site arrangements by agreement.
Informal enquiries can be made to Tom Levinson (Head of Widening Participation and Collaborative Outreach)
The closing date for applications is: 29th September 2025
The interview date for the role is: 9th and 10th October 2025
To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact
Please quote reference AT47135 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Skills Required