Associate Director - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Maternity cover)

LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY; Leeds; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution in the UK is seeking an experienced Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion professional for maternity cover. This leadership role demands a strong background in embedding change within complex organizations, guiding the University’s strategic equality initiatives, and fostering stakeholder relationships. The ideal candidate will influence diverse leaders and ensure delivery of key projects, contributing positively to the institution's community. Application involves submitting a CV and covering letter by 5th January 2026.

Benefits

Generous pension schemes

Excellent holiday entitlements

Flexible working

Reduced study fees

Subsidised fitness facilities

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
• Experience in embedding change within large complex organizations.
• Ability to influence a diverse range of stakeholders across the university.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.
• Develop cross-University groups for effective collaboration.
• Provide professional advice to senior management on relevant initiatives.

Skills

Leadership in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Change management in large organizations

Stakeholder engagement

Influencing leaders

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Reporting to the Executive Director of HR, this role carries leadership responsibility for our ambitious Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda. The agenda has both breadth and depth and embraces strategic aims on race and gender as well as compliance activity that affects our student and colleague communities.

The role has been designed to take clear responsibility by utilising resource from across the University and within HR to create multi-disciplinary and cross-University groups, develop productive relationships with all stakeholders, and provide professional advice to the senior management group and University Executive Team on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, protecting and enhancing the reputation of the University.

We are seeking an experienced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion professional to provide maternity cover. You will need to demonstrate leadership and have a track record of embedding change within large complex organisations. You will assimilate quickly and effectively into our leadership team and ensure delivery of existing projects and plans against our equality, diversity and inclusion objectives and priorities.

You will be confident applying your knowledge across a range of activity, influencing leaders and engaging with colleagues, stakeholders and students across the University. You will ideally have awareness of the Higher Education sector and its specific needs, challenges and ambitions.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our HR team and make your contribution to the University community.

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026 (23:59) Please note we will regularly review applications and will close this vacancy once a successful individual is appointed.

To apply for this post please select 'apply online' below and complete the short application form. Please also submit a CV and covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) addressing the requirements in the Person Specification & Performance attributes section of the Candidate Pack. Please also outline the contribution you could make to the role.

Working here means you'll have access to a wide range of benefits including our generous pension schemes, excellent holiday entitlements, flexible working, reduced study fees, subsidised fitness facilities and a lot more.

Leeds Beckett University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and positively welcomes applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented at this level. We welcome applications from all individuals and particularly from black and minority ethnic candidates. All appointments will be based on merit.