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- Tasks: Lead agile teams to define and prioritise product features for maximum impact.
- Company: Join UCAS, the leading admissions service connecting students to higher education.
- Benefits: Up to £50,000 salary, 30 days leave, hybrid work, and wellness support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in agile methodologies and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: South West, Gloucestershire, Rosehill - Hybrid
Contract Type: Fixed-term contract
Contract duration: 12 months
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 Product Owner (PO) is a key member of the agile delivery team, responsible for defining and prioritizing product backlog items (stories) to ensure smooth execution of business and customer priorities. The PO balances both functional and technical integrity of the product features or components, ensuring the team delivers maximum value. In this role, the Product Owner ensures that prioritised backlog items meet user needs and align with the 'Definition of Done.' The PO plays a pivotal role in collaboration, working closely with Product Management, development teams, Architecture, Service Owners, customers, and other key stakeholders to deliver high-quality product outcomes. This role is a 12 month fixed term contract.
Key accountabilities:
- Program Increment (PI) Preparation
- Backlog Ownership and Prioritisation
- User Story & Acceptance Criteria
- Customer Value Ownership
- Team Development & Improvement
- Enabler Work & Technical Decision-Making
- Stakeholder Collaboration & Demos
- Customer Understanding & Exploration
Skills, qualifications, and experience:
- Agile Experience
- Product Vision & Communication
- Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Customer Focus & Clarity
- Product & Market Strategy Development
- Risk Management
- Third-Party Collaboration
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Industry & Technical Knowledge
- Presentation Skills
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 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.
Working Arrangements: Is fully remote working an option? No
Product Owner employer: UCAS
Contact Detail:
UCAS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Owner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their mission, especially in areas like customer focus and agile methodologies.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when it’s your turn in the hot seat.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Owner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Owner role. Highlight your agile experience and how it aligns with our mission at UCAS. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; give us examples of how you've used them in real situations. Whether it's stakeholder management or product vision, we love seeing concrete evidence of your expertise.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and gets straight to the heart of what you want to convey.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at UCAS
✨Know Your Agile Principles
As a Product Owner, it's crucial to have a solid grasp of Agile methodologies. Brush up on your Agile principles and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past projects. This shows that you understand the framework and can effectively lead your team.
✨Prioritisation is Key
Be prepared to talk about how you prioritise backlog items. Think of specific examples where you balanced user needs with business goals. This will demonstrate your ability to deliver maximum value and align with UCAS's mission.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Collaboration is at the heart of the Product Owner role. Have examples ready that highlight your experience working with various stakeholders. Discuss how you’ve managed expectations and communicated effectively to ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Customer-Centric Mindset
UCAS is all about connecting people to education, so emphasise your customer focus. Share stories that illustrate how you've gathered user feedback and used it to improve products. This will show that you’re aligned with their mission and understand the importance of user experience.