Data and Systems Manager - Executive Support - 105710 - Grade 8

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Executive Support professional to lead data and reporting functions. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence strategic decision-making through data insights, ensuring alignment with the university’s goals. The successful candidate will manage key systems and collaborate with diverse teams, promoting data quality and governance. With a commitment to professional development and a supportive work environment, this position is ideal for someone passionate about data analytics and stakeholder engagement. If you thrive in a collaborative atmosphere and are eager to make an impact, this role is for you.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Paid day for volunteering

Sick pay

Pension scheme

Subsidized nurseries

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven track record in relevant roles with substantial experience.
• Expertise in scientific, technical, or IT specialisms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop data and reporting functions for senior leadership.
• Produce forecasts and analyze data insights for decision-making.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Data Quality Assurance

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Project Management

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

R

Alteryx

Cognos Planning Analytics

Job description

Position Details

Executive Support

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,735 to £55,755 with potential progression once in post to £62,728

Grade: 8

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 1st June 2025

Interviews are expected to be held in person on Friday 20th June 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognized as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme, which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs across Edgbaston and our Dubai campus, there are many opportunities for your career growth.

We believe diversity is a strength that fosters ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and promoted.

Supporting our staff to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important. We offer flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package, including 40 days paid holiday, a paid day for volunteering, sick pay, a pension scheme, and subsidized nurseries.

The University is located in leafy Edgbaston with excellent transport links, including bus routes and an on-site train station. Campus amenities include a sports centre, shops, eateries, an art gallery, museum, and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham.

Background

The Data and Analytics Team supports the University’s Data Strategy within the Strategic Planning and Performance Insight Office, working closely with IT Services. We collaborate with various university departments to provide trusted advice, insightful analysis, and robust data to support decision-making.

Our activities include:

• Data governance, capability and reporting: Managing technical data systems, ensuring quality and accessibility.
• Policy, regulation and compliance: Interpreting external requirements affecting the university.
• Strategy and planning: Advising on institutional goals and directions.
• Performance insight: Monitoring progress towards strategic priorities.

Role Summary

This role is part of a major transformation in the university’s digital and data landscape, aligned with strategic goals. It offers an exciting opportunity to lead and develop high-quality data and reporting functions, especially in student number planning and forecasting, to support senior leadership. The successful candidate will manage key systems like Cognos Planning Analytics and Simitive, develop reporting solutions, and ensure alignment with the university’s reporting framework.

Working closely with colleagues across departments, the role requires a proactive, collaborative, and technically skilled leader capable of influencing stakeholders and driving data quality and governance initiatives.

Main Duties

The focus areas include Student Number Planning, Business Intelligence using Tableau & Power BI, Data Visualisation, Software Development, and Stakeholder Management. Key responsibilities involve:

• Producing student number and fee forecasts using Cognos Planning Analytics.
• Analyzing and presenting data insights to senior stakeholders.
• Maintaining documentation for key systems.
• Providing training and guidance on institutional data and analytics services.
• Promoting data standards and governance practices.
• Encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Staying informed about technological advancements relevant to data analytics.

Additional Duties

• Line management of Junior Data and Analytics Developers, including performance management and development.
• Supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Contributing to the university’s sustainability efforts.
• Performing other relevant duties as required.

We support development through the SFIA framework, with further details available on our website.

Student Number Planning - Complex Modelling, Forecasting and Analysis

• Gathering and analyzing requirements.
• Prioritizing and scoping projects.
• Documenting models and reports.
• Presenting forecasts and insights effectively.

Business Intelligence (Tableau & Power BI)

• Developing capabilities and standards for BI tools.
• Guiding adoption and best practices.
• Assessing benefits and recommending improvements.

Data Visualisation

• Creating engaging visual data representations.
• Advising on suitable visualisation techniques.
• Exploring innovative visualisation approaches.

Programming/Software Development

• Ensuring standards compliance.
• Managing development projects for reporting tools and systems.
• Adapting and developing new methods.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Engaging with stakeholders to resolve issues.
• Building and maintaining relationships.
• Managing risks and promoting inclusivity.

Reporting Release and Deployment

• Participating in testing and review processes.
• Maintaining release procedures.

Organisational Capability, Knowledge Management and Training

• Supporting Communities of Practice.
• Sharing knowledge and best practices.
• Delivering training and instructional activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Essential

• Degree or equivalent plus substantial relevant experience, or a proven track record in relevant roles.
• Expertise in scientific, technical, or IT specialisms, with ongoing professional development.
• Experience in student number planning and forecasting.
• Certification or extensive experience in Power BI or Tableau.
• Proficiency with data extraction and transformation tools (SQL, R, Alteryx, etc.).
• Knowledge of data architecture and modelling.
• Experience supporting junior developers.
• Proven ability to develop best practices and standards.
• Strong analytical skills and data quality assurance.
• Understanding of data protection laws.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting insights.
• Ability to work systematically under deadlines.
• Teamwork and cross-departmental collaboration skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable

• Knowledge of UK higher education issues.
• Experience with Cognos Planning Analytics and Simitive WAMS.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban.
• Expertise in creating dashboards, DAX, Power Query, and row-level security in Power BI.

For informal enquiries, contact Katy Holmes at [e-mail]. View our staff values and behaviours.

We are dedicated to diversity, equality, and sustainability, holding various accreditations and continuously working to improve our inclusive environment. More information is available on our website.