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- Tasks: Lead data-driven insights to shape decision-making 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 and inclusive workplace committed to equity and opportunity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning complex data into strategic insights that drive improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in analytics and insight generation, with strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 57000 £ per year.
Salary: £50,000 - £57,000 per annum
Employment type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37
Reporting into: Head of Operational Research
Department: Analysis, Insights and Performance
Locations: Coventry head office, Birmingham campus, Leeds campus, Manchester campus, Nottingham, Newcastle, London area (Tower Hill, Holborn & Ealing)
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 the Department
The Analysis, Insights & Performance department at Arden University plays a vital role in driving data‑driven decisions, supporting the university's mission to enhance student outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
About the Opportunity
As Strategic Insight & Evaluation Manager at Arden University, you will be a key partner in shaping how data and insight inform decision‑making across the institution. Working closely with senior leadership, you’ll lead the development of high‑quality, actionable insight that supports governance, performance management, and long‑term planning. You will deliver a clear and structured reporting suite aligned to the University’s strategic priorities, lead the student survey agenda, and use data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across the organisation. Acting as a trusted partner to executive stakeholders, you’ll provide expert analysis, challenge assumptions, and recommend evidence‑based actions to drive continuous improvement.
About You
You are an experienced insight and evaluation professional with a strong track record of turning complex data into clear, strategic insight. You have expertise in research design, analytics, and insight generation, and you are comfortable engaging and influencing senior stakeholders in complex environments. You manage competing priorities and deliver impactful, evidence‑based recommendations.
Essential Skills / Experience
- Degree or significant equivalent professional experience in insight, evaluation, or analytics roles
- Advanced analytical and digital capability, including Microsoft 365 and data visualisation tools such as Power BI (non‑technical)
- Strong expertise in research design and evaluation methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑method approaches
- Proven ability to translate complex data into clear, executive‑level insight and strategic recommendations
- Experience presenting to and influencing stakeholders and executive committees
- Ability to synthesise cross‑functional data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility and collaborate effectively across teams
- Ability to work autonomously, exercise sound judgement, and manage competing priorities
- Experience delivering large‑scale, organisation‑wide insight or evaluation projects
Desirable Skills
- Experience working within Higher Education or a similarly regulated environment
- Exposure to Executive‑level committees, including presenting or supporting senior decision‑making forums
- Experience developing or implementing intervention tracking and evaluation frameworks
- Knowledge of student lifecycle metrics and sector frameworks (e.g. NSS, OfS, TEF)
- Strong understanding of systems and services within an insight, research, or analytics function
- Awareness of current and emerging trends within the Higher Education sector
- Broad understanding of the priorities, challenges, and future direction of the sector
Benefits
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on‑top, and a Christmas closure
- A generous Aviva pension plan, with 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
- Other excellent benefits
- Our ‘Golden Ticket’ which allows you to gift anyone in your life a free Arden education
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. 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. By applying, you consent 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. We do not discriminate based upon people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances, and we actively welcome applications from all groups.
Closing Date: Thursday 14th May (Midnight)
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the specified closing date should we receive sufficient applications or to respond to business needs. Please submit your application as early as possible.
Strategic insight & Evaluation Manager employer: Arden University
Contact Detail:
Arden University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic insight & Evaluation Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Arden University on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Arden's mission and values. Show us how your skills align with our goals in the Analysis, Insights & Performance department. Tailor your examples to demonstrate your strategic insight capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Strategic Insight & Evaluation Manager, you'll need to influence senior stakeholders. Create a mock presentation based on a data-driven decision and get feedback from friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Arden University.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic insight & Evaluation Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Strategic Insight & Evaluation Manager. We want to see how your skills can directly contribute to our mission at Arden University.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role is all about turning complex data into actionable insights, be sure to include specific examples of your analytical work. We love seeing how you've used data to influence decision-making in previous roles!
Engage with Our Values: Familiarise yourself with Arden University's vision and values. In your application, reflect on how your personal values align with ours, especially regarding innovation and accessibility in education. We’re all about making higher education available for everyone!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen on joining our team at Arden University!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Strategic Insight & Evaluation Manager, you'll be expected to turn complex data into actionable insights. Make sure you brush up on your analytical skills and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to influence decision-making in the past.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role involves working closely with senior leadership. Prepare to talk about your experience in managing stakeholder relationships and how you've successfully influenced executive committees. Think of examples where your insights led to significant changes or improvements.
✨Showcase Your Research Design Skills
With expertise in research design being essential, be prepared to discuss various methodologies you've employed. Highlight your experience with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches, and how these have contributed to successful projects.
✨Stay Current with Higher Education Trends
Arden University is looking for someone who understands the challenges and future direction of the sector. Familiarise yourself with current trends in higher education and be ready to discuss how they might impact the university's strategic priorities during your interview.