At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects that transform how researchers access vital public sector data.
- Company: Join a pioneering partnership at ADR UK, shaping policy decisions for better lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a supportive culture focused on continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your project management skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree or relevant experience in project management; familiarity with methodologies like PRINCE2 or AGILE.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 € per year.
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Open ended.
Hours: Full-time or Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available.
Closing Date: Wednesday 3rd June 2026.
About the role
ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK) is a partnership redefining the way researchers access the UK's wealth of public sector data (administrative data), to enable better advised policy decisions that improve people's lives. This role will sit within the ADR UK Programme Management Office. The ADR UK Programme Management Office within the Strategic Hub provides programme, project and organisational change together with business analysis support, leading the design, implementation and embedding of change across ADR UK to deliver its vision and realise its strategic objectives.
The Project Manager will be responsible for driving and coordinating the delivery of their projects to ensure that:
- They are completed on time and within budget.
- The project's objectives are met.
- Risks and issues are effectively managed.
- The correct governance and reporting procedures are followed.
Your responsibilities:
- Ensure projects deliver agreed outcomes within time, cost, and quality constraints.
- Track delivery within budget as necessary, and recommend how financial and other resources should be allocated between projects to best support strategic objectives.
- Identify and monitor project risks and issues, and develop mitigating actions and raise as appropriate.
- Set project controls, select and apply appropriate delivery methodologies, and support the agreed assurance requirements through project delivery.
- Partner engagement and partnership working - identify key partners and develop effective relationships to influence, change, and impact decisions.
- Monitoring delivery against the approved business case, in order to justify the continuation of projects in terms of benefits, value for money and risk.
- Contribute to the development and promotion of the Programme Management Office (PMO), including supporting and advocating the use of PMO standardised processes and documentation.
- Operate effectively within a matrix management environment on one or more assignments with the flexibility and resilience to respond to the changing demands of a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail in the creation and maintenance of a range of control documentation including but not limited to; business case, programme plan, risks, issues and actions logs/registers, monitoring and evaluation, and budget management.
- Collation of documents and co-ordination of audit and assurance activities, including formal project gateway reviews, audits, and deep dives.
- Actively contribute to the PMO supporting the development of templates, guidance notes and documentation for a range of programme management tools and techniques.
- Represent the programme for queries relating to PMO administration and the use of templates.
- The project manager will also prepare and present updates to relevant groups within the established governance structure.
This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties within the Strategic Hub commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a relevant field, or experience of working in a sophisticated programme/project environment (S&I).
- Qualification in a recognised project/programme management methodology, (e.g. PRINCE 2, MSP, AGILE, etc.) (S&I).
- Able to evidence a strong understanding of project methodologies and lifecycles, including good working knowledge of project management software and tools (S&I).
- Able to evidence how to manage, plan, supervise and coordinate multiple projects or change activities independently and use initiative (S&I).
- An awareness of risk, issue and change management processes within project environments, along with business case, commercial and procurement awareness (S&I).
- Excellent written communications skills, including minuting meetings to a high level and control documentation (S&I).
- Knowledge and understanding of corporate governance systems and processes (S&I).
- Experience of providing corporate governance support to Boards and/or Committees (S&I).
- Experience engaging with multi-level partners, both internally and externally to ensure project delivery (S&I).
Desirable
- An understanding of the processes through which ESRC funded researchers currently access data for research purposes (I).
- Experience of working with relevant policy, government, or other partners in the research data landscape (I).
- Experience of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Gateway Review and Health check process (I).
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
ADR UK Project Manager in Swindon employer: Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)
At UK Research and Innovation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values individual contributions and promotes continuous learning. Located in Swindon, our hybrid working model provides flexibility, while our comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and ample annual leave, ensures a healthy work-life balance for all employees. Join us to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to making impactful policy decisions through innovative research.
Contact Detail:
Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ADR UK Project Manager in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to ADR UK. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research ADR UK and its projects. Show us you’re passionate about improving lives through data – it’ll make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a mate or in front of the mirror. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, drop us a quick thank-you email. It shows you’re keen and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace ADR UK Project Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the ADR UK Project Manager role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of improving lives through better data access!
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since this role is all about managing projects, be sure to provide examples of your experience with project methodologies and tools. We love seeing how you've successfully delivered projects on time and within budget!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us understand your qualifications and how you can fit into our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)
✨Know Your Project Management Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of project management methodologies like PRINCE2, MSP, or AGILE. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this role requires a solid understanding of these frameworks.
✨Demonstrate Your Risk Management Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your ability to identify and manage risks within projects. Think about specific situations where you developed mitigating actions and how you communicated these to stakeholders.
✨Showcase Your Communication Prowess
Since excellent written communication is essential for this role, practice summarising complex information clearly and concisely. Bring along samples of your control documentation or meeting minutes to demonstrate your skills.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to talk about your experience in engaging with various partners, both internally and externally. Highlight how you've built relationships that influenced project outcomes, as collaboration is key in this position.
