Data Analyst

Russell Group of Universities; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Membership of the USS pension scheme

25 days Annual Leave

Discretionary closure days at Easter/X

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Russell Group seeks a Data Analyst to provide analytical and data visualisation support for policy development and advocacy work. You will work with higher education datasets to inform positions and produce clear outputs for internal and external audiences.

The role involves quality assurance, briefing preparation, and delivering compelling visualisations for diverse stakeholders, joining a small, collaborative policy team in Westminster.

Qualifications

• Experience analysing large and complex datasets relevant to higher education.
• Expert user of Excel with pivot tables.
• Ability to present data to varied audiences clearly.
• Experience creating data visualisations (dashboards/infographics).
• Ability to work in an agile, fast-paced environment.
• Interest in higher education policy landscape desirable.

Responsibilities

• Analyse official datasets (UCAS, HESA, OfS, DfE) for policy work.
• Provide data visualisation support for advocacy and policy development.
• Quality assure internal data and analyses with Senior Data Manager.
• Critique data in media articles and publications for accuracy.
• Prepare briefings and present findings to internal/external audiences.
• Create accessible visual outputs tailored for stakeholders.

Skills

Excel pivot tables

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Data visualization

Policy data literacy

Stakeholder communication

Attention to detail

Agile working

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Excel

Job description

This is a rare opportunity to join a high-performing Policy team, working with 24 leading UK universities. We’re looking for an outstanding Data Analyst to provide analytical and data visualisation support for our policy development and advocacy work.

Through collaboration and advocacy, the Russell Group works to advance and champion the positive economic, societal and cultural contributions of our universities. The Russell Group represents the interests of our 24 university members at the highest level of government, as well as with key research and innovation funders, with business, third-sector partners, regulators, and internationally with like-minded bodies.

As Data Analyst, you will provide robust, clear and timely analysis of a wide range of higher education and research datasets to support the Russell Group’s policy and advocacy positions. This is a new role in the organisation to increase our data analytical capability, supporting the work of colleagues across the Strategic Policy and External Relations teams.

The role involves, but is not limited to, the following:

Undertaking regular and timely analysis of official datasets relevant to the Russell Group including:

• Higher Education datasets published by UCAS, HESA, OfS and DfE.
• Research and Innovation datasets published by HESA, UKRI, and DBIST.
• Datasets relevant to the international team including the CORDIS Horizon Europe Dataset and Home Office migration statistics

Providing data analytical support across the organisation including to colleagues in the Strategic Policy and External Relations teams. This will include:

Working with the Senior Data Manager to quality assure internal data and analysis across the organisation.

Assessing and critiquing ad hoc data presented in media articles, academic publications and think tank reports.

Providing high quality briefings in writing and in person for internal and external parties on data relating to higher education and research.

Creating effective data visualisations to support analysis, storytelling and advocacy, tailoring outputs appropriately for internal colleagues and Russell Group members, as well as political, media and other external stakeholder audiences.

Ensuring that Russell Group policy and external engagement work is informed by an awareness and thorough understanding of relevant data.

Working with the Senior Data Manager to enhance the overall competency within the Russell Group to use data effectively for policy and communications purposes.

Managing data in accordance with the Russell Group's data protection policies.

You will also be responsible for delivering any additional responsibilities, at the request of the Director of Strategic Policy, in accordance with your experience and the broad purpose of this role.

Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• Keen attention to detail and strong analytical skills, including the ability to undertake statistical analysis. Being an expert user of Excel, including the use of pivot tables, is essential.
• Substantial experience analysing large and complex data sets. Ideally with direct experience of working with the higher education and research datasets described above.
• Experience of using data to inform policy analysis/development and to underpin impactful advocacy.
• The ability to exercise excellent judgement on the confidence of particular data analysis outputs and be able to advise Strategic Policy and External Relations colleagues on the limitations of available datasets and how to use data in ways which are proportionate, robust and not misleading.
• Experience of presenting and explaining data outcomes to a range of audiences including internal and external stakeholders, and communicating complex findings clearly and succinctly.
• Experience of selecting and creating appropriate visual formats to communicate complex data clearly, including charts, dashboards, infographics and other accessible formats for non-specialist audiences.
• The ability to work in an agile way in a fast-paced environment, managing and prioritising a challenging and varied portfolio of work to meet tight deadlines. A flexible, collegiate and cooperative approach to working is essential.
• An interest in and knowledge of the higher education policy landscape would also be desirable.

Our Candidate Pack, which includes the vacancy description for the role, and our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form are available to download from the Russell Group Careers site (https://russellgroup-ac-uk.pinpointhq.com/)

Our offices are based in the heart of Westminster, with proximity to key stakeholders and easy access to public transport links. To maximise effective team-based working, we offer flexibility for staff to work from home up to two days a week, subject to work priorities. Benefits include:

• Membership of the USS pension scheme
• 25 days of Annual Leave at start, increasing by 1 day annually to a maximum of 30 days
• Discretionary closure days at Easter and Christmas holidays (in addition to Public Holidays)
• Employee Assistance Programme

The starting salary will be in the range of £40,000-£45,000. This is dependent on skills and experience. A higher salary may be available for exceptional and highly experienced candidates.

Closing date for all applications: 17:00 on Wednesday, 28 October 2026

Further information on the Russell Group can be found at https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/