At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting projects that shape how researchers access vital public sector data.
- Company: Join ADR UK, a pioneering partnership transforming data access for better policy decisions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree or relevant experience in project management; familiarity with methodologies like PRINCE2 or AGILE.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 € per year.
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Open ended.
Hours: Full-time or Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available.
Closing Date: Wednesday 3rd June 2026.
About the role
ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK) is a partnership redefining the way researchers access the UK’s wealth of public sector data (administrative data), to enable better advised policy decisions that improve people’s lives. This role will sit within the ADR UK Programme Management Office. The ADR UK Programme Management Office within the Strategic Hub provides programme, project and organisational change together with business analysis support, leading the design, implementation and embedding of change across ADR UK to deliver its vision and realise its strategic objectives.
The Project Manager will be responsible for driving and coordinating the delivery of their projects to ensure that:
- They are completed on time and within budget.
- The project's objectives are met.
- Risks and issues are effectively managed.
- The correct governance and reporting procedures are followed.
Your responsibilities:
- Ensure projects deliver agreed outcomes within time, cost, and quality constraints.
- Track delivery within budget as necessary, and recommend how financial and other resources should be allocated between projects to best support strategic objectives.
- Identify and monitor project risks and issues, and develop mitigating actions and raise as appropriate.
- Set project controls, select and apply appropriate delivery methodologies, and support the agreed assurance requirements through project delivery.
- Partner engagement and partnership working – identify key partners and develop effective relationships to influence, change, and impact decisions.
- Monitoring delivery against the approved business case, in order to justify the continuation of projects in terms of benefits, value for money and risk.
- Contribute to the development and promotion of the Programme Management Office (PMO), including supporting and advocating the use of PMO standardised processes and documentation.
- Operate effectively within a matrix management environment on one or more assignments with the flexibility and resilience to respond to the changing demands of a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail in the creation and maintenance of a range of control documentation including but not limited to; business case, programme plan, risks, issues and actions logs/registers, monitoring and evaluation, and budget management.
- Collation of documents and co-ordination of audit and assurance activities, including formal project gateway reviews, audits, and deep dives.
- Actively contribute to the PMO supporting the development of templates, guidance notes and documentation for a range of programme management tools and techniques.
- Represent the programme for queries relating to PMO administration and the use of templates.
- The project manager will also prepare and present updates to relevant groups within the established governance structure.
This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties within the Strategic Hub commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential- Educated to degree level in a relevant field, or experience of working in a sophisticated programme/project environment (S&I).
- Qualification in a recognised project/programme management methodology, (e.g. PRINCE 2, MSP, AGILE, etc.) (S&I).
- Able to evidence a strong understanding of project methodologies and lifecycles, including good working knowledge of project management software and tools (S&I).
- Able to evidence how to manage, plan, supervise and coordinate multiple projects or change activities independently and use initiative (S&I).
- An awareness of risk, issue and change management processes within project environments, along with business case, commercial and procurement awareness (S&I).
- Excellent written communications skills, including minuting meetings to a high level and control documentation (S&I).
- Knowledge and understanding of corporate governance systems and processes (S&I).
- Experience of providing corporate governance support to Boards and/or Committees (S&I).
- Experience engaging with multi-level partners, both internally and externally to ensure project delivery (S&I).
- An understanding of the processes through which ESRC funded researchers currently access data for research purposes (I).
- Experience of working with relevant policy, government, or other partners in the research data landscape (I).
- Experience of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Gateway Review and Health check process (I).
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Current Hybrid Arrangements
ADR UK's current arrangements are that every quarter, the whole team will come down to the Swindon office (Polaris House). For other months, each team will go into the office that they are based in (either Swindon or London). Dates have been set for the year in advance. Other attendance in office is as business need dictates, and the post holder may also be required to attend up to 3 governance meetings around the UK annually (rotates London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast).
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
ADR UK Project Manager in Swindon employer: UKRI
At UK Research and Innovation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values continuous learning and employee development. Located in Swindon, our hybrid working model provides flexibility, while our comprehensive benefits package, including a defined benefit pension scheme and generous annual leave, ensures a healthy work-life balance for all team members. Join us to make a meaningful impact on public sector data access and contribute to better policy decisions that improve lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ADR UK Project Manager in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to ADR UK. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups to make those valuable connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their goals and how your skills can help them achieve those objectives. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Project Manager at ADR UK. Highlight your project management skills and any relevant methodologies you’ve used.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at ADR UK.
We think you need these skills to ace ADR UK Project Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Project Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since this role is all about managing projects, be sure to provide examples of your past project management experiences. Talk about methodologies you've used and how you've successfully delivered projects on time and within budget.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Keep your sentences straightforward and avoid jargon. We want to see your excellent written communication skills shine through, so make every word count.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Project Management Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of project management methodologies like PRINCE2, MSP, or AGILE. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your understanding and ability to manage complex projects effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Risk Management Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your experience with risk and issue management. Think about specific situations where you identified risks, developed mitigation strategies, and how you communicated these to stakeholders. This will highlight your proactive approach to project management.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves partnership working, be prepared to talk about your experience engaging with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you've built relationships and influenced decisions in previous roles, as this is crucial for successful project delivery.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Excellent written communication is key for this role. Bring along samples of your control documentation or meeting minutes if possible, and be ready to discuss how you ensure clarity and precision in your communications. This will demonstrate your attention to detail and professionalism.
