Senior Data Steward

UCAS; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK admissions service is seeking a Senior Data Steward in Cheltenham. The role focuses on data management and governance, ensuring high data quality standards while training junior team members. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in SQL and Power BI, and a degree or relevant experience. The position offers a salary of up to £37,500, hybrid working options, extensive annual leave, and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Subsidised gym

Flexible working model

Wellbeing support through Perkbox

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level, or significant proven work experience.
• Experience of data management and data structures.
• Strong skills in using Power BI for data visualization.

Responsibilities

• Manage data stewardship and governance.
• Lead data quality monitoring and improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate data interchange and compliance.

Skills

Data management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

SQL proficiency

Power BI

Education

Degree level education or significant proven work experience

Tools

Oracle

SQL

JSON

Job description

Keywords (e.g. Payroll Administrator, Birmingham)

South West, Gloucestershire, Rosehill - Hybrid

Job Profile

Customer Operations - Data Quality Assurance

Title

Senior Data Steward

Contract Type

Full Time

About UCAS

UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education. It is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges, and deliver 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, helping hundreds of thousands of people every year. We’re committed to delivering a first‑class service to all of our customers — they are at the heart of everything we do.

The Customer Operations business unit was formed to deliver and enhance the support and product & services provided to students, advisers, providers and other stakeholders involved in the higher education admissions process.

This department focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of customer interactions, ensuring that applicants and the providers they consider and apply to receive timely and accurate information, assistance, and guidance throughout the application cycle. It also anticipates, responds to and defines customer change to ensure UCAS meets the needs of its customers and stakeholders. We work in cross‑company multi‑disciplinary teams comprising Customer Service and Relationships, Product Management, International, Policy, Admissions Reform and Fair Access.

Contractual Hours

35.00

About the role

The Senior Data Steward will be a key subject matter expert, providing advice and guidance on data both internally and externally, while proactively improving data management and maximizing its potential.

They will train and develop junior team members, and work collaboratively to provide leadership and management in controlling and governing organisational data assets. This includes leading activities such as defining, measuring and monitoring data quality to ensure it meets agreed standards and complies with policies and data governance guidelines.

Overall, this role will champion best practices in data stewardship across the organisation, ensuring robust governance, consistency, and quality of reference data. By driving improvements in data standards and processes, the Senior Data Steward will enable UCAS to leverage data as a strategic asset, supporting operational efficiency and informed decision‑making.

We currently have 2 Senior Data Stewards vacancies available

Key accountabilities

• Manage data stewardship and governance
• Source, import, and control key data assets and metadata
• Lead data quality monitoring and improvement initiatives
• Define data flows with developers and architects
• Own reference data management and governance strategiesCoordinate third‑party data interchange and compliance

For full job description, please see role profile attached.

Skills, qualifications, and experience

• Educated to degree level, or significant proven work experience.
• Experience of data management and data structures, data configuration and database concepts.
• Knowledge of, or ability to acquire knowledge of the Higher Education sector.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to communicate technical information to a non‑technical audience.
• A self‑starter with the ability to work and influence key stakeholders (internally and externally) at varying levels of seniority.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, including process mapping skills.
• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines, independently managing high workloads, planning and prioritising as required.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of relational databases such as Oracle, along with proficiency in data extraction methods and tools like SQL, and data transfer formats such as JSON.
• Possess good knowledge of at least one programming language and strong skills in using Power BI for data visualization and reporting.

Package

Salary up to £37,500

• 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

• On‑site 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

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 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 [e-mail].

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Working Arrangements

Is fully remote working an option?

No

Attachments

Attachment: Senior Data Steward January 2026.pdf (345 Kb)