Senior Data Analyst – Education and Skills

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional government body in Sheffield is seeking a Senior Data Analyst to provide analytical support for skills policy across the region. This role includes analysing data on skills programmes, creating reports, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative analysis skills and experience with data visualisation tools. This position offers a hybrid working model and a salary range of £37,938 - £40,476 per year.

Benefits

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme

Hybrid working

Financial advice and wellbeing solutions

Training on the job

Up to 36 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Detail-oriented and analytical professional passionate about data-driven change.
• Ability to solve complex problems and translate insights into actionable intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical support for skills policy across the region.
• Conduct labour market-focused economic analysis on key policy issues.
• Analyse data to assess performance of skills programmes.

Skills

Strong quantitative analysis skills

Experience handling complex datasets

Excellent communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Experience with data visualisation tools

Strong organisational skills

Education

Proven experience in a similar analytical role or a Master’s degree

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Overview

Senior Data Analyst – Education and Skills

Application Deadline: 26 October 2025

Department: Data and Intelligence

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Lead Data Analyst & Management and Information Specialist - Skills

Compensation: £37,938 - £40,476 / year

Description

• Hours: 37 hours
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: £37,938 - £40,476
• Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to serve the communities and businesses of South Yorkshire. From transport to housing, from business growth to skills, the MCA has a great story to tell. We have ambitions to deliver recovery and renewal for people, businesses and places across South Yorkshire.

Please note that SYMCA follows a structured salary grading system for all roles, and the offered salary for each post will be at the starting point within the specified grade. We value the skills and experience of potential candidates, and there will be opportunities for salary enhancements as you grow within South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is currently in the process of reviewing its terms and conditions of employment including pay and grading. As part of this project, the post advertised may be subject to changes in the near future. All changes and any impact on individual posts will be discussed further should you be successfully appointed to the position you have applied for.

Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to explain how you meet the essential criteria for this role (please see the role profile attached).

Key Responsibilities

Accurate data and intelligence are vital to shaping effective policy and evaluating programme delivery. As a Senior Data Analyst at SYMCA, you will work closely with the Lead Analyst to provide analytical support for skills policy across the region. You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct labour market-focused economic analysis on key policy issues such as economic inactivity.

You will join the Data and Intelligence team focused on supporting the Growth, Business and Skills Directorate, where your insights will directly inform the design, delivery, and evaluation of education, skills, labour market, and productivity programmes—including the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).

Key Responsibilities include:

• Analyse data to assess the performance and impact of skills programmes to inform long-term policy and commissioning decisions.
• Produce validated data and performance analysis using Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data.
• Interpret economic and labour market trends to support the development of SYMCA’s Skills Strategy and provide briefings to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Create clear, engaging reports and interactive visualisations to communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Collaborate with government, local authorities, and business partners to gather data and monitor progress against strategic goals.
• Support the development and implementation of management information systems for internal data analysis.
• Ensure data quality, governance, and compliance with legal standards including GDPR and FOI.
• Promote self-service analytics within the Employment and Skills team.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

We’re seeking a detail-oriented and analytical professional who is passionate about using data to drive meaningful change. You’ll be someone who thrives on solving complex problems, enjoys working with diverse datasets, and can translate technical insights into clear, actionable intelligence.

• Proven experience in a similar analytical role or a Master’s degree that demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong quantitative analysis skills with experience handling complex datasets.
• Knowledge of data governance and protection standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications.
• Experience with data visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau).
• Excellent communication skills—able to explain complex issues clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience working with ILR data and ASF methodology.
• Background or academic knowledge in economics.

Benefits

All colleagues have access to a local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

In addition to the above, some of benefits include -

• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in additional to your normal annual leave
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time.
• Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway!
• Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on the job training and qualifications
• Holiday – Up to 36 days annual leave (depending on length of service). Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
• Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.