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.

Our Finance and Corporate Services business unit is a fusion of multiple functions — financial planning and accounting, facilities and building management, procurement, corporate governance and performance, legal and compliance. The Finance Team also defines UCAS' financial strategy.

During this 12 month maternity cover, you will partner with business leaders across the organisation and support Commercial Managers, adhering to procurement policy and controls with a level of commercial insight and acumen.

Key accountabilities:

• Manage end to end tender processes and renewals for significant suppliers that support delivery of critical activities from requirements gathering, building specifications, evaluation of tenders, contract awards and commercial support to contact owners during contract duration.

• Recommend and implement continuous Category Management improvements. 

• Undertake the development, review and negotiation of medium sized, medium-term contracts, ensuring the delivery of the commercial plan and business requirements.

• Deliver supplier cost reduction targets from new and existing contracts, identifying increased efficiencies and improvements. 

• Ensure contract performance and risk management from procurement to contract end. 

• Manage relationships with stakeholders and confidently lead dialogue with these stakeholders throughout the procurement process. 

• Proactively engage with supplier base for market intelligence, innovation and influence best practice on procurement processes. 

You can find the full job description in the attached role profile below.

• Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent in a business-related subject.

• CIPS part qualified or working towards.

• Some previous experience of working in or supporting a procurement management team within a larger matrix management structure.

• Conversant with tendering requirements from conception through to contract delivery and award, through to effective relationship management.

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and eProcurement tools.

• Good interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.

• Able to work under pressure and within strict deadlines.

• Good business acumen.

• Possess strong influencing skills and the ability to influence and motivate others using personal rather than positional power

Salary - up to £41,000

• 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 free gym, subsidised 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 still 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 and one of us will be in touch.