Graduate Coordinators - Widening Access (Four Posts)

Role Description

Department

These four roles are based in the Access and Outreach team, part of widening access in the Marketing, Recruitment, Admissions and Outreach (MRAO) department, which sits within the External Relations Directorate.  

This is a varied role with each Graduate Coordinator working across widening access at York, with specific responsibilities across programmes delivered in Access and Outreach and at The Place and with opportunities to support other events on campus and in schools.

This is an exciting time for the Access and Outreach team as we support the University's renewed focus on widening access, building on our founding principles of social purpose, equality, diversity and inclusion.  

You will be joining a department with a central goal and a team of enthusiastic, experienced and committed colleagues. We are seeking new members of the Access and Outreach team who will be equally committed to our goal of widening access and increasing diversity and will contribute to the success of our widening access strategies.

Role

Post holders will support the development and delivery of programmes, events and activities both locally and nationally across the UK, to support widening access in higher education and at the University of York. This will involve the delivery of existing programmes and the development of new innovative initiatives that meet the objectives set out in the University vision, our widening access strategy and our Access and Participation Plan. You will have the opportunity to contribute new ideas and gain significant experience in impactful outreach work. 

The post holder’s primary focus will be to support programmes designed for people from less advantaged and under-represented backgrounds. A core part of each of our programmes is to provide programme participants with relatable role models who have similar lived experiences and can provide a real example of what university life is like. Graduate Coordinators are key to this aim.

Post holders will become skilled in event management, workshop development and delivery and coordination of complex widening access programmes and events. A key part of this role involves enhancing, reviewing and renewing our programmes and launching new initiatives. Post holders will therefore have the opportunity to use their experience, knowledge and creativity to develop innovative projects, sessions or resources.  

You will represent the University at events across the UK and on campus, undertake outward visits to schools and colleges, as well as inward visits of school and college groups to the University, have a key role in our community learning centre at The Place and in the delivery of our impactful residential programmes.

These are fixed-term contracts from 1st September 2025 to 20th August 2027. 

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

Applicants should be educated to degree level from the University of York (or have an equivalent professional qualification or relevant experience), and be enthusiastic, committed to the principles of widening access and well informed about post-16 education. Applicants should have strong communication skills, including confidence in delivering talks and presentations to prospective students and their supporters/advisers about their recent and relevant higher education experience. 

We have a strong commitment to equality and diversity across all areas of the University community, both in our people and the services we provide to staff and students. In recognition of our aims to support more students from specific under-represented groups, the University would like to encourage applicants who are male or who have experience of socio-economic less advantage to apply for this post. We are also particularly keen to hear from applicants who are from a Black or South Asian background.

At the University of York, we have a strong Safeguarding culture and framework, so the post holders will be expected to comply with our Safeguarding policies and practices, including obtaining an acceptable enhanced disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

The closing date for applications is Sunday 29th June 2025

Interview date: Interviews are currently planned to take place on Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th July (these dates are subject to change).

For informal enquiries: please contact Becky Taylor (becky.taylor2@york.ac.uk) and Emily Proctor (emily.proctor@york.ac.uk) - due to some annual leave, it’s important that you email both Becky and Emily to ensure you receive a quick response to your query

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork