Lead Educational Data Analyst for Learning Outcomes

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health benefits

Hybrid work flexibility

Professional development opportunities

Educational research & innovation in N

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Educational Data Analyst in Nelspruit to drive insights on student outcomes. You will manage large educational datasets, build dashboards, and apply advanced analytics to inform curriculum and student support decisions.

The role offers hybrid work with a mix of office days in Nelspruit and remote flexibility, ideal for a data professional passionate about education and equity. Collaboration with researchers and admins is essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Education, Economics, or related field.
• 7+ years of data analysis experience, preferably in education.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, data mining, machine learning, and visualization.
• Proficient in Python, R, SQL, and BI tools (Tableau, Power BI).
• Strong knowledge of educational research methodologies and learning analytics.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience with diverse educational datasets and hybrid work.

Responsibilities

• Lead collection, cleaning, and processing of large student performance datasets.
• Design analytical frameworks to identify trends and correlations in educational data.
• Develop dashboards and visualizations to communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Conduct rigorous statistical analyses to evaluate programs and interventions.
• Provide data-driven recommendations for curriculum and student support.
• Collaborate with IT and admin to ensure data integrity and security.
• Mentor junior analysts and build data literacy across the org.
• Manage data analysis projects with timely insights and reports.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Data mining

Machine learning

Data visualization

Education research methodologies

Educational data analysis

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading educational research institute based in **Nelspruit**, is seeking a Lead Educational Data Analyst to drive insights into learning outcomes and student success. This crucial role involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting complex educational data to inform strategic decision-making, improve pedagogical practices, and enhance student support services. The successful candidate will work with large datasets from various sources, employing advanced statistical and data visualization techniques. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for focused work at our **Nelspruit** office and remote flexibility. We are committed to using data-driven approaches to foster educational excellence and equity. This is an exciting opportunity for a data professional passionate about education to contribute significantly to the research and development efforts in **Nelspruit** and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the collection, cleaning, and processing of large datasets related to student performance, engagement, and institutional metrics.
• Design and implement analytical frameworks and methodologies to identify trends, patterns, and correlations in educational data.
• Develop and maintain data dashboards and visualizations to communicate key findings effectively to stakeholders, including administrators, faculty, and researchers.
• Conduct rigorous statistical analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs, interventions, and pedagogical strategies.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to inform curriculum development, student support services, and institutional policy.
• Collaborate with IT and administrative departments to ensure data integrity, security, and accessibility.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in data analytics, educational data mining, and learning analytics tools and techniques.
• Mentor junior data analysts and contribute to building data literacy across the organization.
• Manage data analysis projects, ensuring timely delivery of insights and reports.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Education, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in data analysis, preferably within the education sector.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, data mining, machine learning, and data visualization techniques.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, and relevant BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Strong understanding of educational research methodologies and learning analytics concepts.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex data insights to non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with diverse educational datasets (e.g., student demographics, academic records, LMS data).
• Familiarity with the educational landscape in **Nelspruit** or Mpumalanga is an advantage.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Hybrid work flexibility, balancing office and remote work.
• Opportunities for professional growth and attending relevant conferences.
• A stimulating work environment focused on educational research and innovation in **Nelspruit**.
• Contribution to improving educational outcomes through data-driven insights.
• Access to advanced analytical tools and resources.