Trust Data and Performance Manager

South East Essex Academy Trust; Hadleigh; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme)

Hybrid working where appropriate

Professional development

Family-friendly policies

VivUp Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Staff discounts (national/local)

Free onsite parking

Job summary

South East Essex Academy Trust is seeking a proactive Data & Performance Manager to lead our Trust-wide data, performance and MI systems. The role focuses on turning complex information into clear insights for leaders and trustees, with responsibilities across multiple schools including Cornelius Vermuyden.

You’ll oversee dashboards, KPI reporting and performance analysis, identify risks and opportunities, and drive smarter automation and system use.

Qualifications

• Experience with school or Trust MIS and performance data.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Experience with Excel, Power BI or similar tools, SQL/database reporting, DfE returns and system implementation.

Responsibilities

• Create and deliver Trust-wide data and reporting strategy.
• Produce insightful dashboards, KPI reporting and performance analysis.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities across pupil performance, attendance and behaviour.
• Lead and optimise Arbor and reporting systems.
• Drive automation and smarter processes to reduce administrative workload.
• Coordinate statutory returns and ensure data quality.
• Explore AI and emerging technology to strengthen organisational intelligence.
• Support and develop colleagues across SEEAT.

Skills

Data analysis

Power BI

Excel

SQL/database reporting

Tools

Arbor

Job description

• SEEAT Data and Performance Manager
  £50,909 - £55,224 per annum | Essex Scale 11 (38-42)
  Based at The Deanes, with travel across SEEAT schools

  At SEEAT, we believe data only matters when it improves lives. We’re looking for an exceptional Trust Data & Performance Manager to help us transform the way we use data, technology and insight across our growing family of schools.

  This isn’t a role about producing spreadsheets for the sake of it. It’s about spotting the story behind the numbers. Identifying risks before they become problems. Giving leaders the intelligence they need to make better decisions. And using smarter systems, automation and AI to free our schools to focus on what matters most: their pupils.

  SEEAT has more than doubled in size since 2021, and we’re entering an exciting new phase of our development. This is a new role, working closely with our Chief Education Officer, Headteachers and school data teams. You’ll lead on our Trust-wide approach to data, performance and management information systems and will also have specific responsibility for one of our schools, Cornelius Vermuyden School.

  You’ll help us create consistent, intelligent systems across our nine schools, and our partner school, while turning complex information into clear, actionable insight for school leaders, executives and trustees.

  Your remit will include:

  • Creating and delivering our Trust-wide data and reporting strategy
  • Producing insightful dashboards, KPI reporting and performance analysis
  • Identifying trends, risks and opportunities across pupil performance, attendance and behaviour
  • Leading and optimising our use of Arbor and reporting systems
  • Driving automation and smarter processes to reduce administrative workload
  • Coordinating statutory returns and ensuring outstanding data quality
  • Exploring how AI and emerging technology can strengthen organisational intelligence
  • Supporting and developing colleagues across our schools
  • Becoming a trusted expert and adviser to leaders across SEEAT

Who are we looking for?

You’ll be someone who looks at a dashboard and instinctively asks: “What is this telling us, and what should we do next?”

Strategic but hands‑on, you’ll be as comfortable discussing Trust‑wide performance with senior leaders and trustees as you are getting into the detail of a system or helping a colleague solve a problem.

We’re particularly interested in people who can bring experience of school or Trust MIS and performance data, alongside strong analytical and reporting skills. Experience with Excel, Power BI or similar tools, SQL/database reporting, DfE returns and system implementation will be valuable.

Just as importantly, you’ll be curious, collaborative and motivated by improvement. You’ll understand that behind every spreadsheet, dashboard and KPI is a child whose opportunities can be improved by better decisions.

Why SEEAT?

We’re a local, collaborative Trust with a positive, hardworking culture - and we’re ambitious about what comes next.

Benefits include a generous Local Government Pension Scheme, flexible and hybrid working where appropriate, excellent professional development, enhanced family-friendly policies, VivUp Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work scheme, national and local staff discounts and free onsite parking at most SEEAT schools.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “I’d love to do this, but I don’t tick every single box” - apply anyway. We recruit people for attitude and train for skills. We take a holistic view of applications and are interested in what you can bring, not simply whether your career has followed a particular route.

Ready to turn information into impact?

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail before applying, please contact Sophie Roberts, EA on 07745 523 469. She can arrange for you to have a 'virtual coffee' with our Chief Education Officer, Toni. All other enquiries should go to [e-mail].