Data Systems Lead - Education Analytics

Aldar Education; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education seeks a Data Systems Lead for Cranleigh Abu Dhabi to own the academic and operational information environment. You will connect senior leadership with reliable systems, ensure data accuracy, and support regulatory reporting and decision-making.

You will lead iSAMS administration, develop dashboards with Power BI, and oversee data quality, security, and integrations across multiple platforms. Strong BI and data governance skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree or higher in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics, or related discipline.
• Strong experience with school information systems and education data management.
• Advanced Power BI experience for dashboard design, data modelling, reporting, visualization, and management analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic management of academic and operational data systems across Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.
• Act as administrator and SME for iSAMS platform.
• Configure, maintain, and develop iSAMS modules per school requirements.
• Develop Power BI dashboards for senior leaders and departments.
• Transform datasets into clear visual reports for timely decision-making.
• Produce analysis on student progress, attendance, behaviour, and admissions.

Skills

iSAMS administration

Power BI

Dashboard development

Data visualization

Data modelling

Data governance

Data quality

Data validation

Data reconciliation

Data security

User access management

Microsoft Excel

Salesforce integration

Cloud system integration

Data migration

Education

Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business Information Management, or related

Tools

iSAMS

Power BI

Salesforce

Live Aldar App

Microsoft Excel

Cloud system integration

Job description

Role Context

The Data Systems Lead will provide strategic and technical ownership of the school 's academic and operational information environment. The position connects senior leadership, academic departments, Admissions, Finance, operational teams, and Aldar Education headquarters through reliable systems, accurate reporting, and secure data practices. Effective leadership will reduce manual administration, strengthen regulatory reporting, improve decision-making, and ensure that student and operational data remains complete, consistent, and protected.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic management of academic and operational data systems across Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.
• Act as the principal school administrator and subject matter expert for the iSAMS platform.
• Configure, maintain, and develop iSAMS modules according to school requirements.
• Review system settings, workflows, permissions, and data structures to ensure reliable daily operation.
• Plan and deliver system enhancements that support academic, admissions, finance, and operational priorities.
• Develop Power BI dashboards for senior leaders, department heads, and operational teams.
• Transform complex datasets into clear visual reports that support timely decision-making.
• Produce analysis covering student progress, attendance, behaviour, assessment, admissions, enrolment, and capacity.
• Create reporting solutions for census returns, inspections, regulatory submissions, and internal governance.
• Ensure reports meet applicable ADEK and Aldar Education requirements.
• Support inspection preparation by providing accurate, complete, and timely data.
• Maintain consistent data definitions, standards, structures, and reporting methods across the school.
• Validate academic and operational records to identify missing, duplicated, or inaccurate information.
• Lead data cleansing, reconciliation, and quality-control activity.
• Establish controls that protect the accuracy and reliability of information throughout the data lifecycle.
• Manage integrations between iSAMS, Salesforce, the Live Aldar App, and other connected platforms.
• Monitor data transfers between systems and resolve synchronization or mapping issues.
• Work with technical partners and Aldar Education headquarters on integration improvements.
• Lead system upgrades, new implementations, testing, user acceptance, and release activity.
• Support cloud-based migration projects and future information systems development.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues and coordinate resolution with vendors or internal technology teams.
• Automate recurring reports, administrative workflows, and manual data processes.
• Identify duplicated effort and redesign processes to improve speed, consistency, and control.
• Evaluate emerging technologies that could improve reporting, data quality, and operational efficiency.
• Recommend practical automation and system enhancements based on school priorities.
• Support academic leaders with curriculum, assessment, and pupil progress reporting.
• Maintain assessment datasets, grade structures, reporting frameworks, and related controls.
• Produce strategic reports requested by the Principal and Senior Leadership Team.
• Assist Admissions with data management, enquiry workflows, applicant records, and reporting.
• Support enrolment forecasting and capacity planning using accurate historical and current data.
• Work with Finance on student billing data and related information requirements when requested.
• Partner with operational departments to improve administrative processes through system development.
• Maintain secure user access permissions according to role and business need.
• Review user accounts regularly and remove or amend access when responsibilities change.
• Ensure sensitive student, parent, employee, financial, and operational data is handled securely.
• Apply UAE data protection requirements and Aldar Education information policies.
• Support internal and external audits involving school data, system controls, and user access.
• Maintain documentation for system configurations, integrations, workflows, controls, and reporting processes.
• Provide technical guidance and training to employees using school information systems.
• Create user instructions and support materials for common system tasks.
• Monitor adoption of approved processes and address inconsistent system use.
• Coordinate with school leadership and Aldar Education headquarters on digital transformation priorities.
• Promote a positive culture of health, safety, wellbeing, and responsible technology use.
• Comply with all safeguarding, Health, Safety and Environment, and school operating procedures.
• Complete additional reasonable duties connected with data systems, reporting, and operational improvement.

Ideal Profile

The successful candidate will hold a degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Business Information Management, or a closely related discipline. Applicants should have at least four years of experience in school information systems, education data management, business intelligence, database administration, systems integration, or a comparable field. Strong practical experience with iSAMS is essential. Candidates should be confident administering modules, configuring workflows, managing users, troubleshooting issues, and supporting continued system development. Advanced Power BI experience is required for dashboard design, data modelling, reporting, visualization, and management analysis. Experience handling large datasets and integrating cloud-based systems is also essential. The preferred candidate will have supported senior leadership through accurate reporting and strategic insight. Experience working with admissions, assessment, attendance, behaviour, census, regulatory, or inspection data in an education environment would be highly valuable. The role requires excellent organization, technical judgment, communication, confidentiality, and stakeholder management. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, police clearance, and all required safeguarding checks.

Skills Set

• iSAMS administration
• School information systems
• Database administration
• Power BI
• Dashboard development
• Data visualization
• Data modelling
• Academic data management
• Operational data management
• Student progress reporting
• Attendance reporting
• Behaviour reporting
• Assessment datasets
• Admissions reporting
• Enrolment forecasting
• Capacity planning
• Census returns
• Regulatory reporting
• ADEK reporting
• Inspection data
• Salesforce integration
• Cloud system integration
• Application integration
• Data migration
• System upgrades
• User acceptance testing
• Workflow automation
• Report automation
• Process improvement
• Data governance
• Data quality
• Data validation
• Data reconciliation
• Data security
• User access management
• UAE data protection
• Audit support
• Technical troubleshooting
• System documentation
• Senior leadership reporting
• Stakeholder management
• User training
• Digital transformation
• Microsoft Excel
• Business intelligence
• Safeguarding compliance

Why Join Us

This position offers the opportunity to shape how data, reporting, and connected systems support decision-making across a leading school in Abu Dhabi. The role provides direct influence over academic reporting, admissions operations, digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and school-wide administrative efficiency. Demand continues to grow for education technology professionals who can combine information systems expertise with strong data governance and business intelligence capability. Successful performance can support progression into cluster data leadership, education technology management, business intelligence, digital transformation, or wider systems strategy roles across the Aldar Education network.

About the Company

Aldar Education operates a growing network of child-centred and innovative schools across the United Arab Emirates. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is part of this network and combines high academic expectations with modern learning practices, strong leadership, and a commitment to student wellbeing. The school supports professional development while maintaining rigorous standards for safeguarding, data protection, operational quality, and continuous improvement.