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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.
Business Unit Description
Led by Dave Penney, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. This broad business unit 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 gifted 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.
About the Role
The Head of Commercial Surveys will first establish and then lead a new UCAS commercial insight division, built around a proprietary student recruitment panel. The role will be responsible for shaping then scaling a high‑impact, insight‑led offer for the UK Higher Education sector and beyond. The Head of Commercial Surveys will be responsible for the full P&L of the market research business, lead sales and client engagement (in partnership with the Education sales team) and collaborating across the organisation to deliver best‑in‑class insight solutions. This role will shape how universities and youth‑focused organisations understand and engage with the next generation and will do this with commercial rigour, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial flair. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Group, the Head of Commercial Surveys will take a corporate role in the overall leadership and management of UCAS.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
* Commercially minded with significant experience of working in a targeted sales environment, managing budgets and setting revenue targets at a senior level
* Successful track record of driving revenue through insight‑led initiatives within the HE sectors
* Substantial experience of developing strong and productive partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and in building lasting client relationships. Holds an extensive and established current HE sectors network
* Strong understanding of panel‑based research and data monetisation.
* Experience in solving problems outside existing experience and deploying analytical rigor and evidence to solve issues and craft advice, including in areas where there is ambiguity, complexity and rapid change.
* Experience of developing business cases which demonstrate impacts, benefits, costs, and outcomes to enable effective decision‑making
* Excellent judgment, well‑organised and able to work flexibly, managing various complex and fast‑moving activities simultaneously.
* Substantial experience of using insight, trend analysis, and contextual understanding to drive continuous improvement.
* In‑depth understanding of sales strategies, methodologies and tools
* Significant experience in commercial market research, with deep expertise in Higher Education and youth audiences.
Package
* 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
Fully remote working is not an option.
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