Policy & Strategy Lead in Gloucester

Join to apply for the Policy & Strategy Lead role at UCAS. UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to 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.

The Customer Operations business unit at UCAS was formed to deliver and enhance the support and product & services provided to students, advisers, providers and other stakeholders involved in the higher education admissions process. This department focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of customer interactions, ensuring that applicants and the providers they consider, and apply to, receive timely and accurate information, assistance, and guidance throughout the application cycle. It’s also the unit where we anticipate, respond to and define customer change to ensure UCAS can meet the needs of its customers and stakeholders going forward.

The Policy, Strategy & Participation team exists to anticipate and interpret policy developments, ensuring UCAS responds effectively and strategically. The team’s work shapes UCAS’ position and approach by:

• Scanning the external landscape – monitoring policy changes that impact UCAS’ beneficiaries across the progression journey and clearly articulating the ‘so what’.
• Embedding intelligence and shaping strategy – ensuring decisions across UCAS are informed by the wider environment, highlighting risks and opportunities, and guiding responses.
• Engaging sector stakeholders – working with sector bodies and government to share insight, influence policy, and represent UCAS’ perspective through formal and informal channels.

The Policy & Strategy Lead will drive horizon scanning across the higher education portfolio, identifying opportunities for UCAS to deliver greater value to learners and providers. Operating at the intersection of policy, strategy, and stakeholder engagement, this role ensures UCAS remains agile and aligned with its mission as the UK’s shared admissions service.

Key Accountabilities

• Maintain deep understanding of UCAS’ policy and sector environment across four nations.
• Horizon scan and assess developments for strategic opportunities or risks.
• Support UCAS’ Next Chapter by identifying external impacts.
• Anticipate changes and advise the Director of Strategy, Policy & Participation.
• Advance UCAS’ ‘double helix’: Increase participation and success. Deliver value as shared admissions service. Assess impact on customers and beneficiaries. Add value to UCAS data and advocate its use externally. Produce thought leadership and publications.

Embedding intelligence and shaping strategy

• Inform decisions and messaging through policy insight.
• Ensure internal flow of intelligence.
• Solve complex policy issues with autonomy.
• Align corporate messaging with policy.
• Role-model UCAS values.

Delivering UCAS’ approach to stakeholders

• Lead engagement and deliver plans.
• Build strong external relationships.
• Provide briefings for leadership.
• Represent UCAS at meetings and forums.

In addition, the postholder will support the Director of Strategy, Policy and Participation with projects and activities as required.

Skills, qualifications, and experience

• Deep knowledge of post-16 policy.
• Excellent communication and collaboration.
• Project management across multiple projects.
• Quality control of policy/research outputs.
• Political insight, strategic thinker, stakeholder engagement, policy influence.

Package

• Salary: £50,000 – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract.
• 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 are interested in this vacancy, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please 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.