At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape data management and support strategic initiatives at Arden University.
- Company: Join a multi-award-winning university focused on innovation and digital education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, a generous pension plan, and free courses for you and your family.
- Other info: Remote work with occasional travel; excellent career growth opportunities await.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing organisation with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in data analysis and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
This role operates primarily on a remote working arrangement that may require occasional travel (once per month) into one of our UK sites. Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit so please note that an Arden work location is added to our employment contracts.
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 Senior Business Data Analyst joins Arden University's Technology Department at an exciting time of growth and innovation. Technology is at the heart of our strategy, enabling us to deliver an outstanding experience for students and colleagues while supporting our ambitious global expansion. Our Technology team of around 65 specialists spans Software Development, Business Systems, Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Data and IT Operations. Together, we deliver the solutions and services that keep the University running while driving continuous digital improvement.
About the Opportunity
As a Senior Business Data Analyst, you'll play a key role in shaping how data is managed and used across Arden University. Working within our Enterprise Data Architecture team, you'll support the delivery of strategic data initiatives, helping to improve data quality, governance and standards while ensuring our data is trusted, accessible and ready to support business insight and AI-driven innovation. You’ll work closely with stakeholders across the University to understand business needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and translate requirements into effective data solutions.
About You
You’ll be a proactive and analytical professional with a passion for using data to solve problems and drive improvement. A confident communicator, you’ll build strong relationships with stakeholders, work collaboratively across teams, and thrive in a fast‑paced environment where you can make a real impact.
Essential Skills / Experience
- Ongoing professional development in data analysis, business analysis, or a related field.
- Advanced data analysis techniques, requirements gathering, and stakeholder engagement.
- Strong understanding of cloud‑based data technologies, integrations, and modern data platforms.
- Excellent knowledge of data quality principles, governance, and best practice.
- Expert application of Business Analysis methodologies, tools, and techniques.
- Data mapping, process analysis, and process re‑engineering using recognised modelling tools.
- Gathering and documenting business requirements using techniques such as workshops, user stories, use cases, and process mapping.
- Translating complex technical concepts into clear, business‑focused recommendations for non‑technical stakeholders.
- Supporting strategic data initiatives and identifying opportunities to improve business processes and data management.
- Strong understanding of testing approaches, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
- Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex or incomplete information and make evidence‑based recommendations.
- Leadership capability, including mentoring colleagues, sharing expertise, and fostering a collaborative, high‑performing team culture.
- Sound understanding of professional, legal, and regulatory requirements relating to data management and information governance.
- Working knowledge of enterprise data systems and their application within a complex organisation.
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.
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on‑top, and even a Christmas closure!
- A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
- BUPA Cash Plan 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
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.
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.
Senior Business 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 Senior Business 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 Senior Business 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 Senior Business 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 Senior Business 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.
