Planning & Insight Manager

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Manchester is seeking an experienced Data Analyst to support its annual reporting cycle and provide essential insights. The role requires excellent communication skills to effectively present complex information to various audiences. Responsibilities include sourcing and processing data, creating reports, and maintaining Power BI dashboards. The candidate should have experience in integrating data sources and be able to manage expectations while delivering insights to support the University's strategic goals and enhance educational impact.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Competitive pension scheme

Retail discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experienced data analyst with strong communication skills.
• Ability to balance competing demands effectively.
• Experience operating a successful data reporting cycle.

Responsibilities

• Support the University’s annual reporting cycle and provide insights.
• Sourcing and processing data for reporting and insights.
• Create visualisations and present insights to colleagues.

Skills

Data analysis

Communication

Management of expectations

Power BI

Data integration

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity within the Strategic Planning Office to support the University's annual reporting cycle and to provide insights to inform the delivery of the University's Strategic vision. We are looking for an experienced data analyst who is also an excellent communicator, who can disseminate insights in a manner appropriate to their audience, who can negotiate and influence people at all levels.

About the Role

You will contribute to the University's annual reporting cycle by taking on responsibility for reporting and identifying insights across several key data sources, such as the University's Key Performance Indicators, league tables, the National Student Survey and Graduate Outcomes.

You will undertake an end-to-end reporting approach from sourcing and processing data, through to writing committee papers, creating visualisations and presenting insights to colleagues at all levels.

You will communicate insights and complex information to colleagues and will frequently collaborate directly with senior colleagues to explain our insights and processes. You will also work with colleagues to understand the implications of insight drawn from our data and how your findings can be applied to achieve our core goals of excellent education and research with impact.

Typically, you will

• Apply appropriate analytical techniques to effectively identify insights and communicate the information ensuring that findings are widely understood. This will include creating and maintaining Power BI reports and writing committee papers.
• Develop strong working relationships with colleagues in both academic and central service areas to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of key data sources and insight.
• Manage and undertake the data processing of several of the University's key data sources.

The ideal candidate

• Ability to balance competing demands and manage expectations, bearing in mind the needs of the customer and the team's priorities.
• Experience in developing and operating a successful data reporting cycle, in an organisation of comparable size and complexity, including:
  • Integrating different data sources to provide consolidated management information
  • Analysing complex data sets to provide conclusions and insight
  • Communicating insight to a wide range of technical and non-technical audiences

About the team

The Corporate Data and Insight Team supports the delivery of institutional strategy through monitoring and analysing institutional performance, reporting on the student life cycle from pre‑enrolment to post‑graduation, evaluating education initiatives and supporting strategy developments.

Working for MMU

MMU offer a fantastic range of benefits to employees, including a central location, which is excellent for commuters, a generous annual leave allowance (plus Christmas Closure & Bank Holidays), and a very competitive pension scheme. You will also get access to retail discounts, an Employee Assistance Program, cycle to work scheme, plus many more rewards and benefits.

How to apply

Applications are strictly via our application portal.

Please upload your CV and Cover Letter, outlining your suitability to the role, by clicking "Apply Now". (Your Cover Letter should be no longer than 2 pages)

For informal enquiries about this vacancy, please contact Matt Singleton (Interim Head of Corporate Data & Insight) on [e-mail]

Please note: Due to our Christmas closure (24/12/25 – 05/01/26), responses to your application may be delayed until mid‑January. We will, however, do our best to provide updates before the closure period.

Further information

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.

This vacancy is expected to attract a high volume of applications. Therefore, under the Disability Confident Scheme, only disabled people who apply under the scheme and best meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview.