At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse data to support strategic decisions and enhance student outcomes.
- Company: Join Arden University, a multi-award-winning institution focused on innovation in education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, a generous pension plan, and free courses for you and your family.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to making education accessible for all.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education while developing your analytical skills.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience with data visualisation tools like PowerBI.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
Employment type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37
Reporting into: Strategic Operational Research Manager
Department: Analysis, Insights and Performance
About Arden University: We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.
About our Department: The Analysis, Insights & Performance department at Arden University plays a vital role in driving data-driven decisions. By providing valuable insights, monitoring performance, and promoting innovation, the team supports the university's mission to enhance student outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
About the Opportunity: The Data Analyst role sits within the Operational Research Team and will contribute to the timely, accurate and insightful analysis of internal and other data sources to support strategic and business decision making. You will be required to develop and implement reporting solutions for a range of internal and external planning and reporting challenges relating to student data and be responsible for the enhancement of reporting on student data to audiences, both internal and external, in line with the needs and expectations of Operational Research.
About You:
- Essential Skills / Experience
- Proven analytical and problem-solving capability.
- Experience working with large and multisource datasets.
- Solid understanding of the concepts of data modelling and visualisation.
- Proven communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of staff and management across the University.
- Experience of developing and maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships.
- Experience and training with data visualisation tools (e.g. PowerBi or Tableau).
- Knowledge of data analytical systems.
- Knowledge and understanding of record systems and complex data sets and their varied applications.
- Awareness and understanding of developments in the use of data in the higher education/public sector for both internal and external requirements.
- Experience of business intelligence practice, including the generation of insight from data to support senior management decision-making.
- Knowledge of data governance systems.
- Desirable skills / Experience:
- Qualifications in Statistical, Mathematics, Computing or a related discipline.
- Proficiency in SQL.
- Proficiency in PowerApps.
- Proficiency in PowerBI.
- Knowledge and understanding of statutory data returns relevant to the role.
- Experience of working in a Higher Education/Further Education/Regulatory environment.
Why Arden: At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Our people work hard to ensure our students' journeys are the best they can possibly be, as such we want to reward our people with fantastic benefits. Employees benefit from:
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on-top, and even a Christmas closure!
- A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
- SimplyHealth plan option
- Private Medical Insurance coverage (applies to certain job roles)
- Access to Perkbox benefits
- Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends
- Plus, other excellent benefits
- Our ‘Golden Ticket’ which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education
Our Values: Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.
Closing Date: 19th August. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or in order to respond to business needs. In order to avoid missing an opportunity to apply please submit your application as early as possible.
If you are a current Arden student or have an upcoming course with us, you are not eligible to apply for Student Experience roles due to a conflict of interest related to system access.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that if you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you wish to be considered under this scheme, you can indicate via the application form below. By doing so, you are also consenting for this information to be shared with the hiring team.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Therefore, we make sure that our recruitment and selection processes never discriminate based upon people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and actively welcome applications from all groups.
Sponsorship statement: Please be aware that some roles may not meet the points requirement for a sponsored Skilled Worker visa under the points-based immigration system. However, we welcome applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but may be eligible for a visa through an alternative route.
Data Analyst employer: Arden University
Arden University is an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling role in higher education, particularly in Birmingham. With a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and a supportive work culture, we prioritise employee growth and development, ensuring that our Associate Lecturers thrive in their teaching careers while making a meaningful impact on students' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Analyst
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Arden University!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Data Analyst at Arden University.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Arden University.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Data Analyst at Arden University, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Arden University, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Arden University. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Arden University!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
