About the role
Sense is looking for a passionate and strategic Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion to help shape a truly inclusive, accessible and values-led organisation. This is a pivotal leadership role where you will drive meaningful, organisation-wide change, ensuring inclusion is embedded in everything we do.
As Head of DEI, you’ll provide strategic leadership to embed equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging across Sense. Reporting to the Chief People Officer and working as part of the people leadership team, you will influence culture, systems and services to ensure we actively break down barriers for disabled people with complex needs, our colleagues, and the communities we serve.
This role is hybrid, with 2-3 days working from our offices in Selly Oak.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver a clear, measurable DEI strategy aligned to our organisational goals.
- Influence and challenge senior leaders, trustees and stakeholders on DEI and belonging.
- Champion an inclusive culture built on trust, accountability and psychological safety.
- Embed inclusive leadership capability and inclusive people practices across the organisation.
- Ensure accessibility and inclusive design across services, communications and environments.
- Lead on co-production with disabled people, ensuring lived experience shapes decision-making.
- Use workforce data and insight to identify and address inequities.
- Build partnerships with external organisations and represent Sense across the sector.
- Ensure compliance with equality legislation and best practice.
What we’re looking for
- Significant experience leading DEI strategy or programmes (ideally within social care, health, disability or the voluntary sector—but not essential)
- Strong ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders and boards
- Experience translating insight and data into meaningful, systemic change
- A collaborative, thoughtful leader with the confidence to challenge constructively
- A genuine commitment to inclusion, accessibility and equity in practice
We particularly welcome candidates with lived experience of disability or long-term health conditions.
About Sense
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.
Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.
To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.
If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 393 4529 or recruitment@sense.org.uk
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/
No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
