Project Manager, Business Management, Business Analyst

UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education.

UCAS is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges as well as delivering a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers.

We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We're committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers because they’re at the heart of everything we do.

The purpose of our People and Change team is to motivate and mobilise our people to deliver organisational change, enabling us to stay ahead of customer expectations and provide exceptional service. We aim to create an environment which brings together diverse thinking, passion and expertise to work together in delivering our mission and strategy. We shape the culture and ways of working, identify and hire the right capabilities and talent, help people use their strengths and potential to learn and grow, and measure and monitor success so we know our work is having a positive impact.

We want UCAS to be a great employer where colleagues are enabled to reach their fullest potential and our team is at the heart of this ambition.

Contractual

Hours:

35.00

The Project Manager leads cross‑functional initiatives that improve UCAS’s operations, digital products and services, and overall change capability. They translate ideas, business needs and product visions into clear, deliverable plans, ensuring initiatives remain aligned with UCAS’s strategic goals and deliver the intended outcomes and benefits.

They are responsible for shaping and governing each initiative from conception to closure, facilitating business cases, defining objectives and scope, and establishing appropriate change governance. Working closely with Business Owners, suppliers and internal teams (including third‑party partners and ’part‑time’ contributors such as procurement and legal), they coordinate resources, manage budgets and dependencies, and remove delivery blockers through pragmatic problem‑solving.

Throughout delivery, the Project Manager maintains a strong focus on progress, risk and value. They translate requirements into delivery plans, track performance through milestone and agile metrics, ensure operational measures are in place to monitor post‑launch performance, and champion good change practice so that new and improved services are transitioned, handed over and embedded effectively.

• Strong experience of managing projects through to completion in a digital product or technology‑led business.
• Confident using and blending different project management approaches and methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead and influence without formal authority, working effectively within a matrix structure. Experience of budget and supplier management, ensuring control of spend and value for money.
• Track record of anticipating change and improving delivery processes, tools and ways of working to meet business and user needs.
• Comfortable questioning the status quo with a creative yet pragmatic approach to problem‑solving, underpinned by tenacity and a proactive mindset.
• Strong stakeholder skills, able to build and maintain effective relationships and minimise resistance to change.
• Proficient user of Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and familiar with project management software such as

Salary:
Circa £45,000

• Purpose‑driven work in a charity‑led organisation connecting people to education and opportunity.
• Internal training, mentoring, and access to industry‑recognised certifications through our development academies.
• Hybrid working model built on trust and flexibility, with a 35‑hour week and flexible contracts
• 30 days annual leave, 3 concessionary days over Christmas, bank holidays, and the option to purchase additional leave.
• Everyday wellbeing support through Perkbox, offering discounts and wellness tools.
• Onsite facilities including a subsidised gym, café, and free parking at our Cheltenham office
• Inclusive culture supported by employee networks, wellbeing champions, and Mental Health First Aiders
• Recognition and reward through our quarterly employee scheme and an ex‑gratia bonus for going above and beyond.