At a Glance
- Tasks: Design data architectures for a customer-centric digital transformation programme.
- Company: Join UCAS, the leading admissions service connecting people to higher education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 30 days leave, and hybrid working flexibility.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education by enhancing digital experiences for students.
- Qualifications: Experience in data architecture and strong SQL skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58000 - 58000 £ per year.
Location: South West, Gloucestershire, Rosehill - Hybrid
Contract Type: Full Time
About UCAS: 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 — they're at the heart of everything we do.
Business Unit Description: The Digital Services business unit is at the heart of UCAS’ technical innovation, data and infrastructure. It focuses on leveraging data science, technology, and enterprise architecture to enhance UCAS' digital products and services. The unit is dedicated to developing and improving customer-centric digital solutions, ensuring seamless and secure online experiences for all users. By providing insightful data and analysis, often made available to anyone with free-to-use intuitive dashboard, Digital Services empowers the Higher Education sector and those interested in the sector with valuable information to make informed decisions. By working in collaborative, expert led, multi-disciplinary teams, Digital Services drives UCAS’ mission to connect students with their next opportunities through advanced technological solutions.
About the Role: The Data Specialist will play a key role in delivering a customer‑centric digital transformation programme, designing data architectures that enable a unified Customer 360 and personalised customer experiences across digital channels, including web and email. The role is responsible for defining how customer, behavioural, and transactional data is collected, unified, governed, and activated to support CRM, marketing, and digital engagement use cases. Working closely with business, digital, and technology teams, the Data Architect will ensure data platforms are scalable, secure, and aligned to long-term enterprise strategy.
- Proven experience as a Data Specialist, Data Architect, or Senior Data Engineer delivering customer-centric digital transformation programmes
- Strong expertise in data modelling, ideally for customer, identity, and interaction data
- Experience with Salesforce Data Cloud (Data360) for Customer 360 and CRM use cases, including:
- Ingestion and unification of customer data from multiple sources
- Identity resolution and profile stitching
- Designing data architectures to support personalisation across customer channels (web, email, marketing automation, CRM)
- Activation of unified customer profiles into engagement and analytics platforms
- Experience with Databricks for large-scale data processing, analytics, and event-driven personalisation
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:
- Strong SQL skills and understanding of modern data processing patterns (batch and streaming)
- Experience with ETL/ELT, APIs, CDPs, and data integration approaches
- Solid understanding of data security, privacy, consent management, and access control
- Strong understanding of Customer 360, data warehouses, data lakes, and analytics architectures
- Knowledge of data governance, quality, metadata, and lineage practices
- Ability to design architectures balancing personalisation, performance, and compliance
- Able to balance short-term delivery with long-term architecture
Soft Skills:
- Strong stakeholder engagement across marketing, digital, CRM, product, and technology teams
- Ability to communicate complex data concepts to non-technical audiences
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Desirable Skills:
- Experience with big data/streaming technologies (e.g. Spark, Kafka)
- Experience with BI tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau)
- Cloud or data architecture certifications
Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Package: Target salary: £58,000 + below benefits:
- 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
Working Arrangements: Is fully remote working an option? No
Data Specialist employer: UCAS
UCAS is an exceptional employer, offering a purpose-driven work environment where employees contribute to connecting individuals with higher education opportunities. With a strong focus on employee growth through internal training and access to industry-recognised certifications, UCAS fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture that prioritises wellbeing and flexibility, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the heart of Gloucestershire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at UCAS. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a project that highlights your data expertise, especially around customer-centric solutions. This will give you an edge during interviews and show you’re serious about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for those tricky interview questions by doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the UCAS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Data Specialist role. Highlight your experience with data architectures and customer-centric digital transformation, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your SQL skills and any experience with Salesforce Data Cloud or Databricks. We want to see how your technical expertise aligns with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain complex data concepts, as we value communication skills just as much as technical know-how.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember 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. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UCAS
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Data Specialist, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in data modelling and architecture. Brush up on your knowledge of Customer 360, data lakes, and the tools mentioned in the job description, like Salesforce Data Cloud and Databricks. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these technologies.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled complex data challenges in the past. Think about situations where you had to balance personalisation with compliance or performance. This will show that you can think critically and adapt to the needs of the business while keeping customer experience at the forefront.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves strong stakeholder engagement, practice how you would communicate complex data concepts to non-technical audiences. You might be asked to explain your approach to a marketing team or product managers, so being clear and relatable is key. Use simple language and real-world examples to illustrate your points.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with UCAS and its mission to connect people to higher education. Reflect on how your role as a Data Specialist contributes to this goal. Showing that you understand and align with the company’s values will set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to their mission.
