Director of Inclusion and Wellbeing in Colchester

Join Colchester Institute – Where Your Career Makes a Difference. At Colchester Institute, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. As one of the region's leading providers of education and training, we are proud to offer a dynamic, supportive and forward-thinking working environment where staff can thrive and make meaningful change. Our values; Inclusive, Collaborative, Respectful, Ambitious, Honest, and Safe are more than words; they define who we are and guide every decision we make. As we continue to grow in scale, reach, and reputation, we are proud to be expanding our Senior Leadership Team. Inclusion and wellbeing are central to our future success, and this role is a clear statement of our intent.

We are seeking an inspirational, values-driven leader to join us as Director of Inclusion and Wellbeing. This is a rare opportunity to shape and influence College-wide strategy at the highest level, ensuring that every learner and staff member regardless of background, identity, or need feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to thrive.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide visible, strategic leadership and act as a powerful advocate for inclusion and wellbeing. Your impact will be felt across our communities, shaping culture, driving positive change, and helping Colchester Institute remain a place where people belong, succeed, and flourish.

About the role: You will provide strategic leadership for:

• Student Services – ensuring learners have access to the support they need to succeed.
• Additional Learning Support – enabling all learners to overcome barriers to learning.
• Learner Engagement & Progression – promoting engagement, retention, and positive outcomes.
• Inclusion and Wellbeing – fostering an environment where every individual feels safe, respected, and valued.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Collaborate with curriculum teams, People and Culture, and external partners to develop a safe, respectful, and aspirational college environment.
• Drive initiatives that remove barriers to learning and support progression into further study, employment, or independent living.
• Use evidence-informed decision-making to inform policy and practice across the College.
• Promote honest communication, transparency, and a genuinely inclusive approach in all aspects of college life.
• Contribute to the College's long-term strategic ambitions, supporting a culture that is ambitious for every learner and every community we serve.

Essential Experience:

• Experience of leadership and management within a Further Education or a related education or social care environment or another relevant environment.
• Experience of leading teams, driving cultural change or improvement and enhancing organisational practice.
• Ability to inspire and influence at all levels of an organisation.
• Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and change management skills.
• Experience of using data, and other sources of information to identify trends, opportunities and threats and to track performance and inform planning.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing workload demands.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of Colchester Institute and positively impact the lives of learners and staff. If you are a passionate, inspiring leader who lives our values and is committed to transforming futures through inclusion and wellbeing, we want to hear from you.

All applications must be completed before Sunday 8th February 2026 when the advert closes. Applications should include a CV and a personal statement outlining how you meet the requirements of the person specification and job description. Following the review of applications, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a video screening, with face-to-face interviews scheduled for Wednesday 25th February and Friday 27th February 2026.

Colchester Institute is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.