At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects that transform public sector data access for impactful policy decisions.
- Company: Join a pioneering partnership redefining research data access in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by improving lives through data-driven policy decisions.
- Qualifications: Degree or relevant experience in project management; knowledge of methodologies like PRINCE2 or AGILE.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 € per year.
ESRC 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
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 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! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Project Manager gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your project management experience and any relevant methodologies you've mastered. We want them to see how you can drive projects to success!
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews! Research the company and its projects, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to impress with your knowledge and enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to apply directly.
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. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:We want to see your project management prowess! Include specific examples of projects you've managed, focusing on how you met objectives, managed risks, and adhered to budgets. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read and get straight to the point.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Economic & Social Research Council
✨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 skills are essential, practice summarising complex information clearly and concisely. Bring along samples of control documentation or meeting minutes you've created to demonstrate your attention to detail.
✨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 role.
