Ethics and Compliance Manager

Location: South West, Gloucestershire, Rosehill - Hybrid

Contract Type: Full Time

About us

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

Our Finance and Corporate Services business unit is a fusion of multiple functions — financial planning and accounting, facilities and building management, procurement, corporate governance and performance, legal and compliance. The Finance Team also defines UCAS' financial strategy.

About the role

To develop and direct an effective ethics and compliance function to protect and enhance UCAS’ reputation and values, by ensuring compliance with relevant company policies, procedures, and relevant regulations, notably health and safety, safeguarding, environmental legislation, and UK Bribery Act.

Key accountabilities:

• Working with the General Counsel, lead in providing oversight, devising and monitoring compliance controls to ensure UCAS is protected from a complex set of regulatory risks including health and safety, environmental legislation, anti-bribery and corruption and safeguarding.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and detailed reports on health and safety performance, incidents, metrics, compliance, and trends for management.
• Lead in maintaining and embedding the Safeguarding Framework (policy, code of conduct and guidelines) across the organisation and building a culture that prioritises keeping children safe.
• Conduct internal and third-party environmental compliance audits and develop strategies to improve environmental performance.
• Design, maintain, and enforce the anti-bribery and corruption framework, including gifts and hospitality registers, conflicts of interest policies, and whistle-blower mechanisms.
• Conduct regular, targeted risk assessments to identify high-risk areas, departments, or third-party relationships.

Skills, qualifications, and experience

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, such as law, compliance, audit or compliance or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience working at this level.
• Substantial experience working in a compliance or risk management position that includes experience in and responsibility for health and safety and safeguarding.
• Ideally you will have knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, principles and best practice, including the development of safeguarding policies and procedures, with an understanding of safeguarding responsibilities across organisational settings, including prevention, reporting, escalation and risk management.
• You must have an awareness of how safeguarding considerations intersect with ethics, compliance, governance and organisational culture.
• Proven track record of successful stakeholder management, project delivery, and policy implementation.
• Up-to-date knowledge of evolving compliance legislation and best practices.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills, with superior attention to detail.
• A pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously.

Package

• Salary – up to £50,000
• 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 free gym, subsidised 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

Studies have shown that some groups of people are less likely to apply to a role unless they tick every box. At UCAS, we recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to delivering a fair and equitable recruitment process where applicants have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills. So, if you are interested in this vacancy, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still apply. If you have any questions and would like to find out more about the role before applying please email the Talent Acquisition team via careers@ucas.ac.uk and one of us will be in touch.

Working Arrangements: Is fully remote working an option? No