Data Manager – Independent Secondary School – Manchester

Marchant Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester Independent School is seeking a Data Manager to join the central administration. You will maintain the student information system, produce reports for senior leaders and ensure data accuracy and security across the school.

The role requires strong Excel skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to analyse large datasets. You will work closely with teaching and pastoral staff to support decision-making and improvement.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in data management or administration.
• School data-management experience is highly desirable.
• Experience using a school MIS such as SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom or equivalent.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage large datasets accurately.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Experience producing reports for senior colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Managing and maintaining the school's student information systems.
• Ensuring student records are accurate and up to date.
• Producing regular data reports for senior leaders and staff.
• Managing student demographic and academic information.
• Supporting assessment and reporting processes.
• Maintaining attendance and pastoral data where required.
• Supporting staff with data queries.
• Producing analysis to support school improvement.
• Checking data for errors and inconsistencies.
• Investigating discrepancies and ensuring corrections are made.
• Supporting timetable and curriculum data where required.
• Preparing information for meetings and reviews.
• Managing data imports and exports.
• Maintaining appropriate data security procedures.
• Ensuring confidential information is handled correctly.
• Supporting examination‑related data requirements.
• Assisting with statutory and internal reporting.
• Providing guidance to staff on appropriate use of school systems.
• Supporting the wider administration team with data‑related projects.

Skills

Excel

Data analysis

Data management

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Independent working

Report production

Tools

SIMS

Arbor

Bromcom

Job description

Data Manager – Independent Secondary School – Manchester

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £38,000–£45,000 per annum, depending on experience

School Information

An established Independent Secondary School in Manchester is seeking an experienced and highly organised Data Manager to join its central administration team.

The school has a strong academic reputation and provides students with a broad and challenging curriculum alongside extensive opportunities for personal development. It maintains high expectations for student achievement while placing strong emphasis on pastoral care, inclusion and preparation for future education and employment.

Accurate and effective use of student data is an important part of the school's operations. The Data Manager will therefore play a key role in ensuring that information is maintained accurately, analysed effectively and made available to staff when required.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders, teaching staff, examinations colleagues, pastoral teams and administrative staff.

The Role

As Data Manager, you will take responsibility for the effective management and administration of student data across the school.

You will maintain the school's management information systems, produce reports, support data analysis and ensure information is accurate and accessible to authorised staff.

The role requires excellent attention to detail and a strong understanding of how data supports school decision‑making.

You will need to be confident working with large amounts of information and comfortable identifying discrepancies and resolving issues.

Key Responsibilities

Managing and maintaining the school's student information systems.

Ensuring student records are accurate and up to date.

Producing regular data reports for senior leaders and staff.

Managing student demographic and academic information.

Supporting assessment and reporting processes.

Maintaining attendance and pastoral data where required.

Supporting staff with data queries.

Producing analysis to support school improvement.

Checking data for errors and inconsistencies.

Investigating discrepancies and ensuring corrections are made.

Supporting timetable and curriculum data where required.

Preparing information for meetings and reviews.

Managing data imports and exports.

Maintaining appropriate data security procedures.

Ensuring confidential information is handled correctly.

Supporting examination‑related data requirements.

Assisting with statutory and internal reporting.

Providing guidance to staff on appropriate use of school systems.

Supporting the wider administration team with data‑related projects.

Management Information Systems

The successful candidate will have responsibility for ensuring the school's management information systems remain accurate and reliable.

You will need to understand the importance of maintaining a single accurate source of student information and ensure changes are recorded appropriately.

Experience using systems such as SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom or similar school management platforms would be advantageous.

The school will also consider candidates with strong data‑management experience who have worked with comparable systems outside education.

Data Analysis

The role will involve producing information that supports senior leaders and teaching staff in understanding student performance, attendance and progress.

You will be expected to present data clearly and ensure reports are useful to their intended audience.

You should be confident using Excel, including formulas, filtering, sorting and manipulating datasets.

The ability to identify trends and highlight discrepancies will be important.

Working With Staff

You will regularly respond to requests from teachers, heads of department, pastoral staff and senior leaders.

The successful candidate should be comfortable explaining data and systems to colleagues with different levels of technical confidence.

You will need to communicate clearly and ensure requests are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

The role involves handling significant amounts of confidential student and staff information.

The successful candidate must understand the importance of data protection and ensure information is accessed, stored and shared appropriately.

You will need to exercise good judgement when dealing with sensitive information and follow school policies at all times.

Requirements

Previous experience in data management or administration.

School data‑management experience is highly desirable.

Experience using a school MIS such as SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom or equivalent.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Excellent attention to detail.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Ability to manage large datasets accurately.

Excellent organisational skills.

Strong written and verbal communication.

Understanding of confidentiality and data protection.

Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Experience producing reports for senior colleagues.

Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies.

Professional and reliable approach.

Personal Qualities

The school is looking for somebody who is methodical, analytical and highly organised.

You should enjoy working with data and take pride in maintaining accurate information.

The successful candidate will also need to be approachable and willing to support colleagues with queries.

A proactive attitude is important, as you should be able to identify potential problems and resolve them before they affect wider school processes.

Why Join the School?

This is an excellent opportunity to join an established Independent Secondary School in Manchester and take ownership of a key area of school administration.

The role offers the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and contribute directly to effective school planning and decision‑making.