At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of strategic reporting and business intelligence capabilities, including performance dashboards.
- Company: Durham University is focused on enhancing its strategic performance through data insights and analytics.
- Benefits: At least two days on campus with opportunities for professional development and influence in higher education.
- Other info: Closing date for applications is 01-Jul-2026.
- Why this job: This role offers a chance to drive significant change in analytics and data insights at a prestigious university.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience, with expertise in higher education analytics and data management.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development of the University’s Strategic Reporting and Business Intelligence capabilities. You will be responsible for the Institutional Business Intelligence programme of work – leading the delivery of the key strategic analytical outputs related to the University’s strategic performance and planning imperatives.
Central to this will be the ongoing development of integrated performance dashboards and continued work on the development of the University’s Management Information Hub. Your work will consider further development of the data lake for key data sources across different areas, as well as delivery of strategic reporting relating to those, expanding our core strategic PowerBI dashboard provision.
The postholder will have a significant role in providing insights and evidence for assessing performance and meaningful planning, including key performance indicators and competitive positioning. The postholder will also have a lead role in taking forward the University’s Data Strategy, liaising with senior leaders and stakeholders in a range of areas to ensure agility and progress with implementation.
You will be responsible for the BI section in the Strategy, Planning & Insight Office, leading the team to deliver significant change and improvement in our strategic reporting and analytics, data lake resources, data dashboard reporting, data governance, data quality, data literacy and culture. This is a great opportunity for someone with the right vision and leadership skills to drive this significant programme of work and lead institutional change in analytics and the informed application of data insights.
Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
- Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation.
- Experience working in Higher Education and expertise considering key internal and external datasets used for strategic performance analytics and benchmarking.
- Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
- Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
- Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
- Track record of cross‑functional management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems, Excel, and specialist analytical and BI software – Fabric, PowerBI (or equivalent), Alteryx (or equivalent).
- Advanced analytical skills applied to organisational performance.
- Advanced understanding of data management practices, including data governance, data quality, and master data management.
- Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
- Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
- Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the University.
- Demonstrable ability to provide specialist advice and influence others at operational and strategic levels.
- Track record of cross‑functional management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams.
- Experience leading a service that is focused on customer experience.
- Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
- Experience in bringing together diverse functions and leading teams that include data analytics and warehousing personnel, guiding them through successful data analytic projects.
- Technical experience with enterprise data warehouse solutions, statistical analysis tools, database systems, and data visualization applications.
- Experience of delivering managed services including working with external delivery partners.
Head of Business Intelligence (Job Number: 26000727) in North East employer: Durham University
Durham University is located in Durham, UK, and is committed to improving its strategic performance through data-driven insights. The team values collaboration and aims to enhance the university's reputation by implementing effective data strategies and governance.
