Data Migration Specialist

Contract: Fixed term until 31 January 2027

About The Role

Ark Schools have recently appointed Midland HR’s iTrent as our new HR and Payroll system. This is a significant and complex change programme for Ark, and we are now seeking a data migration specialist with experience of delivering an HCM data migration to join our fantastic team to support this transformational change. Working alongside key members of Ark’s central teams, schools, and the supplier, the Data Migration Officer will ensure a smooth transition of data between legacy systems into our new system, contribute to the scoping of data migration plans and play a key role monitoring data migration success. The role is supported by the People Systems and Data Manager (as manager) and a dedicated Project Manager, Change Manager and other internal project roles. You will also work closely with school HR representatives with knowledge of their data and challenges.

The Data Migration Officer’s previous experience will be key in ensuring that they can successfully deliver a data migration plan to ensure the implementation of our new HR system goes smoothly within central and school-based teams. Experienced in data cleansing, extraction, translation and load you will ensure that Ark data moves successfully between systems.

Two key strands of the project:

• Implementation of the HCM, including integration and provisioning with other Ark systems (e.g. Entra, Bromcom)
• Implementation of integrated payroll within HCM and associated outsourced payroll provider

Alongside our HCM implementation, Ark is currently considering options for Learning Management and the deployment of learning functionality may also fall within the scope of this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Developing an understanding of our existing (Bromcom, CezanneHR and payroll datasets) and new (Midland iTrent) HR platforms and data
• Acting as a subject matter expert for data migration between our old and new HR systems
• Lead on migrating HR data from our current systems to the new platform, working with third party providers and other project stakeholders, and support schools with manually adding data where needed
• Highlighting areas of high risk or difficulty in relation to data migration, traction or interactions with stakeholders including schools
• In preparation for the system migration project, carry out a quality and completeness check designing, building and then deploying data checking tools across the network of schools and central teams
• Carrying out thorough data quality checks post migration to identify any errors, logging discrepancies and/or gaps to ensure that future migration cohorts migrate with increasing accuracy
• Ensure that the progress of data migration planning and delivery is monitored in collaboration with the Project Manager

Key Requirements:

• Right to work in the UK
• Previous experience of data migration projects
• Strong operational knowledge of data migration between HR and payroll systems
• Experience of data mapping, cleansing and validation

Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days. In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad. Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments.

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays. Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.

As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year.

Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform. Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.

About us

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Our network of 39 schools reaches traditionally underserved communities in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. We educate 30,000 pupils and have nearly 3,000 teaching staff across our network. We also incubate and scale innovative ventures, which we roll out beyond our network of schools for the benefit of teachers, pupils and the education system as a whole. Current Ventures include Ark Curriculum Plus, which equips teachers with the subject expertise needed to ensure students succeed, and Ark Start, a growing chain of nurseries offering affordable, high-quality early years education.

Recently, Ark moved to new offices at EdCity – a unique not-for-profit development in West London, in partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham council. EdCity is designed to bring mission-aligned organisations together to focus on improving the lives of children, especially through education. It offers leased offices, a range of venues for training and events, and an innovation hub for the education sector to connect, collaborate and learn together.

Diversity and inclusion

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

For any questions, please contact recruitment@arkonline.org.