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.

Led by Dave Penney, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. This broad business unit and incorporates the following functions:

• UCAS Media education and industry Sales  

• Education and Industry Marketing 

• Digital Marketing Operations 

• Events 

• Partnerships 

• Apprenticeships 

• Public Affairs, Press and Communications 

• Insights

The business unit is set up to deliver against the objectives of UCAS charity and operate UCAS Media (UCAS’s commercial subsidiary) to help fund UCAS’s charitable operations. For the charity, our objective is to provide everyone with the information, advice and guidance they need to make informed decisions on their next steps. We deliver on this via our media ecosystem which consists of information, advice and guidance on ucas.com, our social media feeds across various channels, email, live events and webinars.

For UCAS Media, our business objective is to generate revenue through paid collaborations with higher education providers who wish to improve their position in the market, and commercial brands who want to reach students. All brands wishing to use our media ecosystem and insight services must align with our framework. All profits generated are gift aided to UCAS the charity and in turn fund the charitable objectives, such as our recent announcement that students in receipt of free school meals will no longer need to pay the UCAS application fee.  

During this 12 month maternity cover, you will be supporting the Senior Events Organisers and Exhibitions and Conference Manager to project manage a program of exhibitions and conferences.

Key accountabilities:

• Support and manage the delivery the delivery of events you are managing which could include physical or virtual exhibitions and conferences.

• Support to source a range of venues in varied locations around the UK that are within budget and meet the needs of the event.

• Support with the management of the delivery of events on-site, including speakers, exhibitors, staff, and contractors.

• Support colleagues throughout the organisation, in the development and programme planning of events and conferences.

• Track project progress against deadlines, including the gathering, distributing, and proofing of all event-related content.

• Liaise with clients to collect artwork and collate print ready materials.

• Confident and excellent customer focused communications with speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.

• Supervise the delivery of on-site or virtual events and external suppliers responsible for the implementation of events.

• Support with the management of event budgets to ensure that each event is in profit.

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

• Experience in events management and producing project plans.

   

• Excellent interpersonal, organisational, oral, and written communication skills with an ability to work to and meet deadlines.

   

• Ability to work under pressure and manage time appropriately.

   

• Flexible approach to working hours with a commitment to succeeding, developing, and expanding current activity.

   

• A good team player with the ability to support colleagues in their duties.

   

• Able to travel, and network with new clients/colleagues, including overnight stays at short notice.

   

• Working knowledge of MS Office Packages.

   

• Full clean driver’s license.

Salary - up to £27,500

• 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.