We are excited to be recruiting an Interim Director of Access Programmes to join The Brilliant Club to cover the maternity leave of our Director of Access Programmes. Our ‘Join The Club’ strategy sets out our ambition for university access and success, focusing on two goals: working with more pupils than ever before and extending our support across the student journey. The Director of Access Programmes is critical for the delivery of the ‘Join The Club’ strategy, supporting us to scale our flagship access programme, The Scholars Programme, alongside developing bespoke access programmes so that the most underrepresented groups are supported to progress to university.

The role will involve overseeing the delivery of our The Scholars Programme, supporting approximately 20,000 participants to take part annually. Alongside this, the Interim Director of Access Programmes will oversee partnerships with universities and schools to develop and deliver bespoke access projects which meet the particular needs and context of the institution and the specific needs of underrepresented groups, such as mature students and care-experienced students. They will act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation. Externally, the Interim Director of Access Programmes will network to build up the profile of access programmes representing The Brilliant Club at external events and conferences when required.

The successful candidate will have experience of leading programme delivery at a national scale and will be highly experienced in managing partnerships with a range of higher education institutions and schools. They will be up-to-date with the widening access and participation agendas and will be able to discuss in-depth the challenges and opportunities facing the UK higher education sector. They will champion the charity’s values and embody them in interactions with colleagues and partners.

While this role can be based at any of our offices throughout the UK, some travel will be required (mainly to London) for events and to attend in-person meetings.