At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead people analytics, design reports, and provide data-driven insights for decision-making.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Canal & River Trust, enhancing employee experience through data.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and more.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; primarily home-based with occasional travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving data-led culture and improving HR processes.
- Qualifications: Experience in people analytics, HR systems, and strong skills in Excel and Power BI.
The predicted salary is between 47500 - 49300 € per year.
Join Our Team: People MI & Data Analytics Manager Opportunity. The People Operations team delivers efficient, high-quality HR services across the employee lifecycle, ensuring smooth onboarding, contracts, payroll coordination, and HR systems. They also manage and maintain people data to provide insights for reporting and decision-making, while supporting projects and initiatives that improve processes, drive compliance, and enhance the overall employee experience.
We’re excited to welcome a People MI & Data Analytics Manager who will develop and lead an effective MI function across the People Team, providing data, analysis, and insight from multiple sources. In this role, you will support the tracking and reporting of key performance indicators and objectives, enabling informed decision-making at both operational and strategic levels. You’ll also act as the subject matter expert in the development, application, interpretation, and governance of people data across the team; using systems such as Dayforce, SAP, PowerBI.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37‑hour, Monday - Friday working pattern, with flexible working options available. The role is primarily home‑based, with occasional travel to Trust locations and meetings as required. Relevant hubs include: Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Leeds, Newark, Birmingham, Leighton Buzzard & Gloucester.
Role Overview
In this engaging and influential role, you will lead the development of a people analytics function, designing reporting, dashboards, and metrics that maximize the value of people data. You’ll provide clear, data-driven insights to support performance, decision-making, and business planning, while championing a data-led culture across the organisation. Responsible for data quality, governance, and statutory reporting, you’ll use tools such as Dayforce and Power BI to identify trends, drive improvements, and support both operational and strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement, in collaboration with the Trust’s Business Intelligence Team, core analytics and reporting that maximise the value and use of data across the People Team.
- Use existing and new data sources to develop metrics and reporting that enhance understanding of colleague engagement and performance.
- Produce quarterly executive reports with clear narrative and develop divisional dashboards, delivering data-driven insights to the People Leadership Team to support operational performance, inform priorities, and drive delivery of the People Strategy and wider Trust Business Plan.
- Work with managers and colleagues to promote effective use of data within their areas and processes.
- Partner with the People Leadership Team to develop metrics and analysis that support both operational performance and strategic decision-making.
- Produce and interpret all statutory and required reporting, including ONS reports, internal reporting, and equal pay audits.
- Lead on data governance, ensuring the quality, use, and integrity of people data across the function.
- Utilise Dayforce reporting and analytics to build metrics and support KPI delivery.
- Develop and maintain dashboards, working with system specialists to enhance reporting capability across the People Division and wider Trust.
- Use Power BI and other tools to deliver accessible, impactful reporting that supports decision-making.
- Stay informed on developments in AI and data reporting to enhance capability and insight.
- Maintain data quality across all people systems, including regular audits, cleansing, and integrity checks.
- Deliver performance analysis and reporting to support senior leaders in identifying trends and making informed decisions.
- Identify opportunities to improve performance, compliance, and benchmarking against key performance indicators.
- Apply quantitative and qualitative analysis methods to support problem-solving and continuous improvement.
About You
You bring strong experience in people analytics, with the ability to produce and interpret a wide range of HR metrics to inform decision-making. Confident working with HR systems such as Dayforce (or similar), you have hands-on experience in reporting, data management, and troubleshooting. Highly proficient in Excel and Power BI, you can translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for a range of stakeholders. With excellent communication skills and a continuous improvement mindset, you actively support others in using data effectively to drive performance, accuracy, and better outcomes.
Skills & Qualifications
- Direct experience working with an HCM/HRIS platform (ideally Dayforce), including reporting, data loads, troubleshooting, and integrations.
- Strong experience with Dayforce reporting and analytics, or similar systems with transferable skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, with strong capability in Power BI (essential) for data visualisation, dashboards, and reporting.
- Extensive experience in data analysis, modelling, and problem-solving, including extracting and compiling data from multiple systems.
- Proven experience in people analytics, producing end-to-end MI such as headcount, FTE, turnover, diversity, and recruitment metrics, along with insight and supporting narrative.
- Experience completing and reviewing Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs).
- Strong technical and reporting capability, with the ability to develop new reporting solutions and tools.
General
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organisation and with external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, meaningful insights.
- Ability to coach and support others in using data to improve performance and decision-making.
- Continuous improvement mindset, proactively identifying opportunities to enhance processes and the use of data within the function.
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
In addition to your salary of £47,500 - £49,300, you will enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits.
People MI & Data Analytics Manager employer: Canal & River Trust
At Canal & River Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and well-being of our employees. With a flexible working environment primarily home-based, we offer competitive salaries, a robust pension scheme, and increasing holiday entitlement, all while fostering a collaborative culture that champions data-driven decision-making. Join us in making a meaningful impact on our canals and communities, where your contributions will be recognised and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People MI & Data Analytics Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how your skills align with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable answering common questions and discussing your experience. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace People MI & Data Analytics Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in people analytics and data management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your Data Skills:Since this role is all about data, be sure to mention your proficiency with tools like Dayforce and Power BI. We love seeing examples of how you've used these tools to drive insights and improve processes in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your experiences and how they relate to the job. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canal & River Trust
✨Know Your Data Tools
Familiarise yourself with the tools mentioned in the job description, especially Dayforce and Power BI. Be ready to discuss how you've used these systems in your previous roles, and think of specific examples where your data analysis led to actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your ability to interpret HR metrics and provide clear narratives. Think about past experiences where you identified trends or made recommendations based on data analysis, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the organisation and its People Strategy. Understand how effective people analytics can drive operational performance and strategic decision-making. This will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex data concepts in simple terms. The interviewers will want to see that you can communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you've supported others in using data to improve performance and decision-making in your previous roles.
