Senior Corporate Data Officer

School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University; Bangor; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bangor University is seeking a Senior Corporate Data Officer to lead statutory data returns, driving data quality and governance across the institution. You will act as the expert on statutory reporting, influencing senior stakeholders and shaping institutional practice.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, requiring strong analytical ability, excellent communication, and autonomy to manage complex regulatory requirements within the UK higher education sector.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in statutory reporting or regulatory data management.
• Knowledge of statutory reporting frameworks (e.g. HESA/Medr).
• Proven ability to lead complex data returns and compliance activities.
• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality and audit requirements.
• Experience of HE statutory returns.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of statutory returns to HESA, Medr and other bodies.
• Act as institutional subject matter expert on statutory data requirements.
• Drive improvements in data quality, governance, and processes across the University.
• Provide advisory guidance to senior stakeholders on regulatory data requirements and implications.
• Monitor external regulatory developments and adapt processes accordingly.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Advanced analytics

Data governance

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Autonomy

Education

Professional certification in data/analytics/governance

Job description

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Senior Corporate Data Officer

Job Number

BU04097

School/Department

Strategic Planning and Research Support

Grade

8

Contract Duration

Permanent

Responsible to

Senior Corporate Data Officer

Closing Date

09-10-2026

Bangor University is seeking to appoint a full‑time, permanent Senior Corporate Data Officer to lead the delivery of its statutory data returns and strengthen institutional data governance. This is a pivotal role providing expert oversight of HESA, Medr and other regulatory reporting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and high‑quality insight.

You will act as the University’s subject matter expert on statutory data requirements, drive improvements in data quality and processes, and influence senior stakeholders across academic and professional services.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery, requiring strong analytical capability, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to shape institutional practice.

Applications are invited from candidates with significant experience in statutory reporting or regulatory data management, strong knowledge of HESA/Medr frameworks, advanced analytical skills and attention to detail and a proven ability to lead complex data returns and improve data quality. Experience of higher education statutory returns, knowledge of HESA data models and process improvement expertise would also be an advantage.

The postholder will work closely with senior leaders and staff across the institution and so excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills are essential. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework , there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Debbie Hardwick ([e-mail]; 01248382364)

Bangor University is a globally engaged, research‑intensive institution rooted in North Wales and committed to excellence in education, research, and civic mission. Our Strategy 2030 sets out an ambitious, growth‑orientated vision that prioritises academic excellence, student experience, digital transformation, and research capacity—including landmark developments such as the North Wales Medical School.

The Senior Corporate Data Officer will provide strategic leadership and expert oversight of the University’s statutory data returns function, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements and delivering high‑quality, insight‑driven outputs.

The post holder will:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of complex statutory returns.
• Act as the institutional subject matter expert on statutory reporting requirements.
• Drive improvements in data quality, governance, and processes across the University.
• Provide advisory and interpretive guidance to senior stakeholders on regulatory data requirements and implications.

The role requires a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in data management, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement, capable of operating with a high degree of autonomy and influencing institutional practice.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Strategic Oversight

• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of statutory returns to HESA, Medr, and other regulatory bodies, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and submission within strict deadlines.
• Develop and implement a strategic approach to statutory reporting, aligning processes with institutional priorities and regulatory expectations.
• Act as the University’s lead expert on statutory data requirements, interpreting complex specifications and advising on their institutional impact.
• Provide leadership on data quality improvement initiatives, embedding best practice across systems and processes.

2. Data Governance and Quality Assurance

• Establish and maintain robust data governance frameworks to support statutory reporting.
• Define, implement, and continuously improve data validation methodologies and controls.
• Identify systemic data quality issues and lead cross‑institutional resolution, working with senior stakeholders and data owners.
• Ensure comprehensive audit trails, documentation, and compliance evidence are maintained.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

• Build strong relationships with colleagues across academic and professional services areas to ensure effective data collection and ownership.
• Provide expert advice and training to stakeholders on statutory definitions, reporting requirements, and data implications.
• Influence data management practices and drive cultural change towards improved data quality and accountability.

4. Analysis, Insight, and Interpretation

• Analyse complex datasets to ensure compliance and identify trends, risks, or anomalies.
• Provide insight to support institutional decision‑making and regulatory positioning.
• Translate technical data requirements into clear, accessible guidance for non‑specialist audiences.

5. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Lead the review and redesign of reporting processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and resilience.
• Monitor developments in the external regulatory environment and proactively adapt institutional processes.
• Evaluate and implement new tools, systems, or methodologies to enhance statutory reporting capability.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

• Relevant professional certification in data, analytics, or governance.

Experience/Knowledge

• Significant experience in statutory reporting, data analysis, or regulatory data management within a complex organisation.
• In‑depth knowledge of statutory reporting frameworks (e.g. HESA, Medr or equivalent).
• Proven experience of leading or coordinating complex data returns or compliance activities.
• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality frameworks, and audit requirements.
• Experience of influencing stakeholders and improving organisational data practices.
• Extensive experience of HE statutory returns.
• Detailed knowledge of HESA data models, coding manuals, validation rules, and derived fields.
• Experience of leading projects or process improvement initiatives.

Skills/Abilities

• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving capability, with the ability to interpret complex datasets.
• Ability to operate at a strategic and operational level, managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• High level of autonomy, initiative, and professional judgement.
• Ability to challenge and shape institutional approaches to data management.

Other

• The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas . If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.