Partnerships Delivery Manager in Gloucester

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 are committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers — they are at the heart of everything we do.

Led by Dave Penney, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, this broad business unit incorporates the following functions:

• UCAS Media education and industry
• Sales
• Education and Industry Marketing
• Digital Marketing Operations
• Events
• Partnerships
• Apprenticeships
• Public Affairs, Press and Communications
• Insights

The business unit is set up to deliver against the objectives of UCAS charity and operate UCAS Media (UCAS’s commercial subsidiary) to help fund UCAS’s charitable operations. For the charity, our objective is to provide everyone with the information, advice and guidance they need to make informed decisions on their next steps. We deliver on this via our media ecosystem which consists of information, advice and guidance on ucas.com, our social media feeds across various channels, email, live events and webinars. For UCAS Media, our business objective is to generate revenue through paid collaborations with higher education providers who wish to improve their position in the market, and commercial brands who want to reach students. All brands wishing to use our media ecosystem and insight services must align with our framework. All profits generated are gift aided to UCAS the charity and in turn fund the charitable objectives, such as our recent announcement that students in receipt of free school meals will no longer need to pay the UCAS application fee.

This role supports the Lead Partnerships Manager in delivering and maintaining UCAS’ strategic partnerships, acting as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders. Responsibilities include managing delivery implementation plans, performance monitoring and business reporting. The successful candidate will be highly organised, collaborative, and experienced in building successful relationships, contributing to UCAS’ mission by helping to shape partnerships that enhance the customer experience and deliver measurable impact.

Key accountabilities:

• As partnership delivery manager, you will play a key role in driving strategic growth, enhancing value, and support stakeholders to ensure alignment with UCAS’ mission, IAG strategic priorities and enable its partnerships to thrive.
• Act as the partners’ primary point of contact to ensure they remain fully engaged and supported throughout implementation, launch, and beyond, managing and nurturing day-to-day relations and actions, consistently adding value and exceeding expectations.
• Lead on developing, maintaining and enhancing robust partnership reporting and analysis to ensure the ability to improve, monitor and track partnership performance. Measure and track business case value benefits and contractual obligations, including service requirements, to help achieve strategic outcomes and ensure partnership delivery success.

Skills, qualifications, and experience:

• Proven track record of working with third parties to maximise relationships and/or business development opportunities, to help increase customer value and deliver a great user experience.
• Candidates should be highly motivated, outcomes-driven and detail-orientated, inspired by UCAS’ purpose, vision and values.
• Essential:

• Track record of delivery in a fast-paced, demanding, changing environment and ambiguous situations, working with a dynamic team.
• Strong creative problem-solving skills, combined with business curiosity and critical thinking to increase efficiencies and streamline processes.
• A passion for understanding customers’ needs and motivations.
• Highly organised self-starter with strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
• Ability to work well and flexibly in a cross-functional environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail in documentation and communication.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet variable deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

• Experience of using Salesforce CRM and customer onboarding platforms.
• Experience of using work operating systems such as Monday.com.

Interviews will be held on Friday 13th February in our office in Cheltenham.

Package:

• Salary - up to £39,000.
• 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.

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 think you have what it takes, 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.