widening participation jobs

Full time, permanent contract

Closing date: 23:59 22 January 2026

Interviews will be held on: 11 and 12 February 2026.

Due to the complexity of the Skilled Worker Visa route and eligibility criteria, applicants requiring sponsorship are recommended to check their eligibility on the Home Office website. We cannot provide advice to candidates at the application stage and will only discuss visa routes with candidates who are invited to interview.

We have an exciting opportunity within our Study Advice team supporting our Home Foundation Year students. If you are passionate about supporting students to reach their potential, are empathic and proactive, then we would love to hear from you. As a Success Partner you will be providing specialised academic and pastoral support to improve the engagement, retention and outcomes of our Home Foundation Year students. You will work with our Engagement Officer to identify students at risk of not reaching their full potential, reach out to them and build supportive relationships. You will offer practical advice on study practices on an individual or small group basis, help students set goals and track progress. You will promote a culture where students feel comfortable asking for help and guide them to the appropriate university services.

This job is based in the Library at our Whiteknights campus. The Library offers a friendly working environment and is strongly committed to continuing professional development and staff training.

We are seeking two Success Partners. One will have line management responsibility for the Engagement Officer and the other will create the team evaluation reports.

You will have :

• Experience of providing advice and guidance to students in a Higher or Further Education setting
• A degree qualification or experience of studying in a Higher Education environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate effectively with students, academics and other professional staff
• Excellent listening skills with an ability to listen actively and explore and identify issues
• Organisation skills with an ability to prioritise tasks and manage own time
• Excellent written communication skills
• The ability to deal empathetically with students who may be suffering from stress
• Knowledge of study practices needed for success at undergraduate level
• An awareness of HE strategic issues and how they may impact student learning (e.g. widening participation, funding).

Contact details for advert:

Contact Name Dr Sonia Hood
Contact Job Title Study Advice Manager
Contact Email address s.hood@reading.ac.uk
Alternative Contact Name Dr Edward Powell
Alternative Contact Job Title Study Adviser
Alternative Contact Email address edward.powell@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.