"Strategic Outreach Officer"

The Higher Education Outreach Network (HEON) is looking to appoint a Strategic Outreach Officer on a fixed-term contract to cover a secondment, initially through the 12th June 2026.

About the role

The HEON Strategic Outreach Officer will deliver HEON’s established Strategic Outreach objectives, including further mapping of local outreach provision to identify cold spots in delivery, both to schools and colleges, and to each group identified as underrepresented in Higher Education. Where cold spots exist, the post holder will work collaboratively with the HEON Manager, HEON partners and other regional stakeholders to identify means to address these gap.

The post holder will also work collaboratively to contribute to core HEON objectives, including the delivery of sustained and progressive outreach programmes in the region.

About HEON

HEON is a partnership* of local organisations including universities and colleges working in Surrey and North East Hampshire. Through both a programme of targeted and strategic outreach, we aim to support young people to make informed decisions about their future education, support the raising of attainment in local schools and increase the rates of young people from local areas accessing higher education. HEON is funded and supported by the Office for Students (OfS) as part of the Uni Connect Programme.

About Working at the University of Surrey

In addition to your salary, we offer pension contributions and generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working options and blended home/campus working locations (dependent on work duties), Benefits also include access to a variety of staff development opportunities, access to world-class leisure facilities on campus, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

HEON and The University of Surrey is committed to valuing everyone in our community by providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We value everyone in our community and are seeking to increase the diversity. Therefore, alongside our programme’s widening participation objectives, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

How to Apply

Please apply with your CV and cover letter on the University website. Further information can be found in the attached job description, and if you have any questions, please contact Chris Dexter, HEON Manager, via c.dexter@surrey.ac.uk.

HEON’s Partner institutions:

• The University of Surrey
• Activate Learning
• University Centre Farnborough/FCOT
• University for the Creative Arts
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• Nescot
• The Academy of Contemporary Music
• The University of Law
• Surrey County Council

Further details

Job Description