Ranking Strategy Manager

Ref Number

B24-00050

Professional Expertise

Strategy, Project and Change Management

Department

Vice-President (Strategy) (B24)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

£52,487–£61,534

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

Yes

Closing Date

17-Feb-2025

About us

UCL is a radically different university. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, we were the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women to university education. Today UCL has over 50,000 students and 16,000 staff, is one of the world’s top 10 universities and is recognised as one of the most successful research institutions in the world, consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2024) and is 2nd in the UK for research power and 1st in London (REF 2021).

The Office of the Vice President (Strategy) is responsible for the development of institutional strategy and coordination of the processes that ensure that UCL’s overarching strategic objectives are reflected in planning at all levels of the organisation.

UCL’s Data and Insight team sits within the Office of the Vice-Provost (Strategy), which supports the Provost and the University Management Committee (UMC) by developing the institutional strategy and by coordinating the processes that ensure that UCL’s overarching strategic objectives are reflected in planning at all levels of the organisation. Working closely with the other teams within VP Strategy, Data & Insight work to ensure a fully integrated approach tro all aspects of strategic planning, development and implementation.

About the role

We are seeking a dedicated Rankings Strategy Manager to join our Data & Insight team on a Fixed-Term Contract for 18 months, or on an 18 month secondment for internal staff.

The Ranking Strategy Manager will help shape and drive our rankings and reputation strategy. Reporting to the Director of Data & Insight, you will work closely with academic departments, VP Offices, and central professional services teams to provide expert facilitation, project management, and coordination in support of delivering the rankings strategy (which includes in its initial scope global rankings across research, education and student satisfaction).

As Ranking Strategy Manager, you will develop a holistic and strategic view of UCL’s overall rankings performance across global rankings and other external performance frameworks, understanding the key metrics and any interrelationships between them. You will be responsible for presenting project updates, including key metrics and risk assessments, to senior leadership and supporting the development of governance and delivery plans aligned with our rankings and reputation strategy.

Additionally, you will keep pace with sector developments in rankings and reputation, attend external events, and cultivate relationships with rankings organisations to stay informed of any changes in methodologies. This role also involves briefing colleagues on any potential impacts to UCL, ensuring that we adapt effectively and stay ahead in this evolving landscape.

In this role, you’ll work within the Office of the Vice-Provost (Strategy) alongside the Academic Strategy Development, Data & Insight, and Strategy Implementation teams, ensuring alignment between strategic planning processes and rankings strategy execution. You’ll also collaborate with the Vice-Provost Offices for External Engagement, and Research, Innovation & Global Engagement to drive forward our rankings strategy, from planning through to delivery.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will need to have experience in rankings or other data driven strategy delivery and experience in delivering complex, multi-dimensional projects within higher education. You’ll combine a highly organised and professional approach to work with an understanding and experience of project planning and delivery, ideally within a university environment. A tactical decision-maker, you have the skills to influence and work with a diverse set of internal stakeholders, maintain the momentum around rankings throughout the cycle, and advocate for the importance of improving UCL’s reputation and ranking.

You will work well under pressure and where conflicting deadlines are involved, with the flexibility to respond to changes and new demands on your time. You will have the communication skills to work with senior staff and report to the University Rankings Working Group. A clear and concise communicator, you are skilled at producing and presenting reports for senior stakeholders and building productive relationships across a range of stakeholders to ensure progress is made and that potential problems are identified and mitigated ahead of time, avoiding them where possible.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here :

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