Manager: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

University of the Western Cape; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the Western Cape invites applications for the Manager: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics. This role leads the BI function, oversees data governance, and delivers timely insights to support strategic planning and performance monitoring for executive leadership.

The role requires an Honours degree and at least eight years in BI/MI in higher education, with a minimum of three years in management. Strong skills in Power BI, Tableau, SAS, SPSS, R or Python are essential.

Qualifications

• Honours degree (NQF8) in BI, Data Analytics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Operations Research or related field.
• At least eight years' experience in business intelligence, institutional analytics, or MIS within higher education or related sector.
• At least three years' management experience with strategic decision-making and team leadership.
• Advanced expertise in statistical analysis, data visualization and analytics tools (Power BI, Tableau, SAS, SPSS, R or Python).
• Proven ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for executive leadership.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, budgets, BI projects, service providers and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of the University's BI strategy.
• Lead design, implementation and enhancement of BI systems, aligned with data governance and university strategy.
• Support institutional strategic planning and design systems to monitor performance and measure impact.
• Conduct advanced analyses, develop forecasts, identify risks and opportunities for executive decisions.
• Develop and manage institutional metrics and translate challenges into actionable insights.
• Oversee the data warehouse and ensure data integrity for reporting and decision support.
• Contribute to data governance arrangements to improve data quality and use.
• Produce and present dashboards and reports for senior management and stakeholders.
• Maintain and enhance reporting tools including PowerHeda and translate needs into solutions.
• Deliver BI end-user training and support for dashboards and enterprise data systems.
• Lead BI team, mentor staff and manage projects, budgets, and SLAs.
• Lead institutional BI forums and stay updated on BI developments in higher education.

Skills

Power BI

Tableau

SAS

SPSS

R

Python

Data governance

Data warehousing

Data analytics

Stakeholder engagement

Statistical analysis

Education

Honours degree in BI/Data Analytics/Statistics/CS/IS/OR or related field

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SAS

SPSS

R

Python

Job description

Manager: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics - (2344)

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Title of Position

Manager: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

Post Number

1118

Faculty/Department

University of the Western Cape -> Rectorate -> Institutional Planning

Type of Position

Permanent - Full Time

Length of Contract Period

Location

Closing Date

20/9/2026

Role Clarification & Key Performance Areas

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a vibrant, diverse and dynamic university, rooted in the African continent with an increasingly global reach. UWC actively responds in critical and creative ways to the country's development needs within an ever-changing national and global context.

The University’s Institutional Planning division invites applications for the position of Manager in its Business Intelligence unit. The Manager: Business Intelligence and Data Analytics is responsible for managing the University's Business Intelligence (BI) function and overseeing the delivery of high-quality, timely and actionable insights to support strategic planning, institutional decision‑making and performance monitoring. The role is central to advancing a data‑informed culture at the University and ensuring the integrity, appropriate governance and usability of institutional data.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Support the development and implementation the University’s BI strategy
• Lead the strategic design, implementation and ongoing enhancement of BI systems and applications, ensuring alignment with institutional data governance frameworks and the broader University data strategy.
• Support institutional strategic planning and work with stakeholders to design and maintain systems for monitoring performance and measuring the impact of institutional initiatives.
• Conduct advanced analyses of historical trends and current conditions, develop forecasts, and identify strategic risks, opportunities and areas for improvement to inform executive decision-making.
• Develop and manage meaningful institutional metrics and performance indicators and translating complex institutional challenges into testable hypotheses and actionable insights.
• Oversee the institutional data warehouse and test the integrity, consistency, and reliability of data used for reporting and decision support.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of institutional data governance arrangements that strengthen data quality, consistency, security and appropriate use.
• Produce and present compelling data visualisations, dashboards and reports for senior management and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure the maintenance and enhancement of reporting tools, including PowerHeda, and translate stakeholder reporting needs and business problems into appropriate technical solutions.
• Develop and deliver end‑user support and training on BI tools, dashboards and enterprise data systems.
• Lead, manage and mentor the BI team, supporting professional development and a high‑performance culture.
• Manage BI projects, budgets, service providers and service‑level agreements, and oversee the full project lifecycle from definition and design through implementation, monitoring and maintenance.
• Lead institutional BI and data analytics forums, contribute to collaborative sector initiatives, and remain abreast of emerging tools, methods and developments in BI and higher education analytics.

Minimum Requirements (Qualification and Experience)

• A relevant Honours degree (NQF level 8) in Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Operations Research or a related quantitative field.
• At least eight years' experience in business intelligence, institutional analytics, or management information systems within higher education or a related sector.
• At least three years' experience in a management role, demonstrating strategic decision-making, team management and stakeholder engagement.
• Advanced expertise in statistical analysis, data visualisation and analytics tools for decision support, such as Power BI, Tableau, SAS, SPSS, R or Python.
• Demonstrable experience in translating complex data into actionable insights for executive leadership.
• Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary teams, budgets, BI projects, service providers and contracts.

Required Competencies (skills, knowledge and behavioural attributes):

• Strong knowledge of data warehousing, database design, data integration, data architecture and institutional data governance frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of national higher education policy, performance indicators, funding frameworks and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Strategic leadership, sound judgement and multidisciplinary thinking.
• Advanced analytical, statistical, conceptual and problem‑solving capability.
• The ability to design meaningful metrics and indicators and to interpret institutional performance within a higher education context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, report‑writing, data storytelling and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, coaching and user‑training skills.
• Effective team leadership, project management, resource planning and organisational skills.
• A high level of professional integrity, business ethics, attention to detail and accountability.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a changing environment.

Added Advantages :

• Data analytics experience in the public higher education sector
• A Master's degree (NQF level 9) in Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Operations Research or a related quantitative field.

DISCLAIMER: By applying for the position, you consent to the University sharing your application, including curriculum vitae, with University stakeholders to process the application. In line with the University’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants in line with our Employment Equity Targets. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years. The University reserves the right to not make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates and may conduct competency assessments.