Community Engagement Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen in MCSR as Community Engagement Manager, a key role which contributes to the ambitions of the university’s Strategic Plan 2030. The widening access programme forms an integral contribution of the University being awarded the Social Enterprise Mark by valuing and honouring its commitment to creating social change in local communities.

You will lead the Widening Access Team in the ongoing development, implementation, and delivery of the community engagement outreach activities; responsible for developing sector relationships, working in partnership with education providers and partners including third sector organisations and charities to maintain and develop Cardiff Mets profile in the community.

You’ll lead the way by

• Keeping up to date with Widening Access/Reaching Higher activity and represent Cardiff Metropolitan University at key seminars/conferences and events both internally and externally.
• Establishing and maintaining strong links with voluntary and community-based initiatives and organisations. Working in partnership with these groups to meet the educational needs of the community via a range of tailored courses aimed at raising aspirations and promoting progression to Higher Education.
• Representing the Widening Access Participation Team at MCSR Management meetings to report on Widening Access activities raising any topical issues.
• Working in partnership with First Campus Reaching Wider team and represent Cardiff Met on their operations board.
• Producing annual Widening Access development plan and review outreach activities, reporting results to Head of UK Student Recruitment & Outreach and Cardiff Met Business Analysis & Strategy department.
• Working with academics to encourage adoption of Widening Access principles and develop short courses and accredited modules to reflect the range of academic programmes at Cardiff Metropolitan.
• Maintaining and developing the portfolio of widening access learning opportunities for community delivery to aid progression for non-traditional learners into H.E. aligned to local need.
• Conducting regular one-to-one meetings with team as necessary to check progress against set objectives. Recording P&DR’s on system, coordinate and authorise the team’s Annual Leave requests ensuring adequate cover.

About You

You will have a teaching qualification, excellent written, communication and organisational skills with an exceptional level of enthusiasm to deliver this key role to ensure targets are met and commitments to the fee and access plan are delivered.

You’ll also be:

• Highly motivated individual with proven experience of working within widening access or a similar role.
• An excellent communicator working with stakeholders at all levels with experience of liaising and developing effective working relationships both in the community and within Cardiff Met.
• Highly competent in working planning outreach activities within budgets, target driven and the ability to react to adjust to the learner and needs. A leader, capable of leading and motivating a team of individuals with strong interpersonal skills both verbal and written.

Why join Cardiff Metropolitan University?

We are a values-based University. We are proud of our culture, and we are there for our people. Our community spirit is the golden thread that underpins our values and behaviours. We support and embrace inclusion that enables everyone to feel respected and able to perform at their best. By joining our University, you'll find yourself in a unique environment where a wealth of knowledge and resources are readily available, supporting you with your career development.
In addition, the University offers highly competitive terms and conditions including:

• Annual leave of 35 days, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days (pro rata if part time).
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous contributions.
• Flexible and remote working opportunities.
• Excellent family friendly policies.
• Award winning sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership, plus subsidised physiotherapy/complementary therapy/sports massage.
• Access to all library facilities.
• Salary sacrifice schemes including cycle to work.
• Free family access to our independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.

If you would like to talk with us about this opportunity please contact Claire Brown, Interim Head of UK Student Recruitment and Outreach at csbrown@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture. We offer family friendly and flexible working arrangements and a range of staff networks, forums and events to support and develop our people. We warmly welcome applications from those traditionally underrepresented in the higher education sector.

Further information

Please read our Candidate Pack or visit our staff recruitment website for information about working for us, our culture, benefits, work-life balance and our career progression and development opportunities.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is proud to be a Disability Confident employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.

All applicants with disabilities, or those who are part of the Armed Forces community who during the shortlisting process meet the essential criteria for the role will be progressed to the next stage.

The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture. We offer family friendly and flexible working arrangements and a range of staff networks, forums and events to support and develop our people. We warmly welcome applications from those traditionally underrepresented in the higher education sector.

Job Details

School/Unit
Marketing, Communications and Student Recruitment

Location
Llandaff Campus

Salary
£39,906 to £44,746 per annum pro rata

12 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Post Type
Full Time

Closing Date
Monday 15 June 2026

Reference
2526438