Sarah-Louise Harder-Collins
Romsey,HAM
Summary
A collaborative and strategic senior leader with a strong track record of shaping institutional policy and using evidence to drive meaningful change. Demonstrates a practical, partnership focused approach to policy analysis, stakeholder engagement and cross sector collaboration that ensures improvements are impactful and aligned with organisational and regulatory priorities. Experience includes leading significant institutional change and contributing to sector wide initiatives that strengthen inclusion, participation and outcomes for underrepresented groups. Seeking to apply values driven and evidence informed approaches within the charity and policy sector to support positive change at a wider scale.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work history
Deputy Director of Student Support and Success
University of Winchester
Winchester, Hampshire
2021.08 - Current
- Institutional lead for the Access & Participation Plan, driving monitoring, evidence gathering and regulatory submissions.
- Strengthened organisational policy and processes, improving consistency and efficiency across student-facing services.
- Led cross‑university collaboration to embed policy‑driven improvements across the student lifecycle.
- Produced clear, data‑led insights to inform strategic decision‑making at senior levels.
- Provided strategic leadership in sector‑wide partnerships, influencing national conversations on inclusion and participation.
- Oversaw large multi‑area teams and major funded programmes, including delegated responsibility for a £900k widening‑participation initiative.
- Deputised for the Director of Student Support & Success, overseeing operational management and safeguarding responsibilities.
Director of Widening Participation
University of Winchester
Winchester, Hampshire
2016.10 - 2021.07
- Championed institution-wide change programmes adopting evidence-based theory of change models to enhance access, participation, student success and community impact.
- Advocated for policy and process change, confidently presenting at university committee's and national conferences.
- Led high-performing teams and developed organisational leadership capacity.
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues and partners to develop sustainable income generation models for externally funded streams of activity alongside wider departmental budget governance (circa £300k pa non-staffing).
National Collaborative Outreach Network Manager
National Network For The Education Of Care Leavers
2016.03 - 2016.10
- National coordination for HEFCE-funded National Network for Collaborative Outreach (NNCO) project.
- Established Single Point of Contact (SPoC) for care-experienced young people and practitioners supporting them.
- Responsible for budget management, national projects, sustainability planning, governance and communications strategy.
Widening Participation Coordinator
University of Winchester
Winchester, Hampshire
2012.10 - 2016.03
- Overall coordination of the ‘WINdow on HE' secondary outreach widening participation programme with schools across North Hampshire and outreach with vulnerable children and underrepresented young people.
- Leadership of residential summer schools for care-experienced young people, young carers and unaccompanied asylum seekers.
Learning Development Assistant
Groundwork UK
Birmingham
2012.04 - 2012.09
Trainee Teacher (Primary)
Teach First
Birmingham, West Midlands
2011.06 - 2012.04
Aimhigher Project Officer
Aimhigher (University Of Winchester)
Winchester, HAM
2008.11 - 2011.06
Women and Equal Opportunities Officer
Glamorgan Students Union
Pontypridd, RCT
2006.06 - 2007.06
Education
MA - Student Engagement in Higher Education (Merit)
University of Winchester
2022-10
PgC - Managing Contemporary Global Issues
University of Winchester
Winchester2010-10
BSc - Psychology (2:1)
University of Glamorgan (South Wales)
Wales2008-10
Skills
- Skilled communicator with a strong ability to engage, influence and adapt messaging to diverse audiences including senior leaders, policymakers and external partners
- Experienced in designing, planning and delivering large scale, institution‑wide programmes with clarity, structure and measurable impact
- Demonstrated leadership of organisational growth, with confidence navigating complexity, uncertainty and change
- Highly adaptable, responsive and solutions focused, maintaining momentum and clarity in fast moving or ambiguous environments
- Strong strategic leadership and decision making, with a track record of aligning policy, evidence and organisational priorities to drive meaningful improvement
- Experienced in cross sector collaboration, partnership building and representing organisational priorities at regional and national level
Board Membership
- Service Children's Progression (SCiP) Alliance, Chair of Board (2016 - Present)
- South Hampshire College Group, Curriculum & Quality Committee Vice-Chair, Safeguarding & EDI Link Governor (2023 - Present)
- Winchester City of Sanctuary, Founding Trustee and Treasurer (2022 - Present)
- National Educational Opportunities Network (NEON), Founding Trustee (2022 - 23)
- Hampshire Pride, Founding Co-Chair (2013 - 20)
Timeline
Deputy Director of Student Support and Success
University of Winchester
2021.08 - Current
Director of Widening Participation
University of Winchester
2016.10 - 2021.07
National Collaborative Outreach Network Manager
National Network For The Education Of Care Leavers
2016.03 - 2016.10
Widening Participation Coordinator
University of Winchester
2012.10 - 2016.03
Learning Development Assistant
Groundwork UK
2012.04 - 2012.09
Trainee Teacher (Primary)
Teach First
2011.06 - 2012.04
Aimhigher Project Officer
Aimhigher (University Of Winchester)
2008.11 - 2011.06
Women and Equal Opportunities Officer
Glamorgan Students Union
2006.06 - 2007.06
MA - Student Engagement in Higher Education (Merit)
University of Winchester
PgC - Managing Contemporary Global Issues
University of Winchester
BSc - Psychology (2:1)
University of Glamorgan (South Wales)