At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and support enterprise platforms, focusing on identity and access management.
- Company: Join UCAS, the leading admissions service connecting students to higher education.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work, 30 days leave, and wellness support.
- Other info: Be part of a purpose-driven team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education technology while enhancing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT operations and strong knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 42000 £ per year.
Location: South West, Gloucestershire, Rosehill - Hybrid
Job Profile: Digital Services - Infrastructure
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 because 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: At UCAS we are on the look-out for a skilled Technical Operations Engineer to join our IT Operations team, supporting a portfolio of enterprise platforms with a strong focus on identity and access management using Microsoft Entra ID. Working closely with our strategic technology partner, you will ensure our platforms are secure, resilient, and effectively managed, while driving continuous service improvement. You will play a key role in maintaining operational stability within a modern, cloud-first environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and support day-to-day operations of enterprise platforms, ensuring availability, performance, and security.
- Effectively monitor and maintain Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) services.
- Maintain robust monitoring, alerting, and observability, integrating with ITSM tooling.
- Support ITIL-based service management processes (incident, problem, change).
- Drive continuous improvement through automation, standardisation, and optimisation.
- Produce clear documentation, runbooks, and knowledge articles.
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience: Beyond key responsibilities you will bring strong technical operations experience and a passion for delivering reliable, secure services. In particular, you will have:
- Proven experience in IT Operations roles.
- Demonstrable excellent knowledge in Microsoft Entra ID / Azure AD.
- Strong understanding of identity and access management principles and security controls.
- Experience working with Microsoft 365 and modern workplace environments.
- Familiarity with monitoring tools, ITSM platforms (e.g. Jira, Halo), and SaaS environments.
- Solid troubleshooting skills across cloud-based platforms and infrastructure.
- Aware of privileged access management and endpoint security concepts.
Package: The salary for this role is £40,000 - £42,000 alongside the following 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
Technical Operations Engineer employer: UCAS
UCAS is an exceptional employer, offering a purpose-driven work environment that connects individuals to 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 in its hybrid working model. Located in the picturesque South West of England, employees enjoy generous benefits including 30 days of annual leave, wellbeing support, and modern onsite facilities, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Operations Engineer
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what UCAS values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges UCAS might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at UCAS!
✨Direct Apply to UCAS
Let's not forget to apply directly through the UCAS website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Operations Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at UCAS.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at UCAS. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at UCAS
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
