At a Glance
- Tasks: Use data to influence decisions and improve outcomes at Lancashire County Council.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking council dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities and supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Shape strategic decisions and make a real impact with your analytical skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in analytics, strong communication, and ability to present insights clearly.
The predicted salary is between 55612 - 60147 £ per year.
Salary £55,612 - £60,147 per annum | Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week | Preston
Are you passionate about using data and insight to influence strategic decision‑making and improve outcomes at scale? As Strategic Data Partner, you will play a critical role in how Lancashire County Council uses intelligence to drive performance, innovation and continuous improvement. Sitting at the interface between services and the central Data & Analytics function, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping them turn complex challenges into clear, data‑led insight. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced data professional who enjoys working at pace, building strong relationships, and shaping how data is used to support better decisions across a large and complex organisation.
Key Responsibilities- Act as the strategic intelligence partner for services, building strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders.
- Translate organisational priorities and service challenges into clear, actionable analytical questions and insight.
- Provide high‑quality analysis, interpretation and insight that supports decision‑making, performance management and service improvement.
- Shape service‑level reporting requirements and oversee the development of meaningful dashboards, performance products and insight assets.
- Present complex data and analysis clearly to non‑technical audiences, ensuring insight is accessible, relevant and actionable.
- Operate as a critical friend, offering constructive challenge and support to drive continuous improvement.
- Strategic Insight & Influence: Proven experience working in an intelligence, analytics or performance role, partnering with senior managers or leadership teams. Confidence in translating ambiguous or emerging requirements into clear analytical outputs that support strategic outcomes.
- Analytical & Technical Capability: Strong business intelligence and analytical skills, including data manipulation, analysis, performance monitoring and dashboarding (e.g. Power BI). Experience designing and delivering high‑quality insight products that inform action and improvement.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build credibility with stakeholders at all levels. Demonstrable experience presenting insight to non‑technical audiences and supporting them to interpret and act on data.
Closing Date: 25/05/2026
Why join us? By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted. In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:
- A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
- A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
- Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
- Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.
Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.
Strategic Data Partner in Preston employer: Lancashire County Council
Contact Detail:
Lancashire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Data Partner in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work at Lancashire County Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Strategic Data Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising your storytelling skills. You’ll need to present complex data clearly, so think of examples where you've turned data into actionable insights. We want to see how you can influence decision-making!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical skills! Bring along some examples of dashboards or reports you've created. This will demonstrate your technical capability and how you can shape service-level reporting for the council.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Data Partner in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Data: Make sure to highlight your enthusiasm for using data to drive strategic decisions. We want to see how you've used insights in past roles to influence outcomes and improve performance.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: When writing your supporting statement, be specific about how your experience aligns with the job description. We love it when applicants connect their skills directly to the responsibilities of the Strategic Data Partner role.
Keep It Clear and Concise: Remember, clarity is key! Present your insights and experiences in a straightforward manner. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand.
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 this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancashire County Council
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Strategic Data Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on your data manipulation and performance monitoring techniques, especially with tools like Power BI. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've turned complex data into actionable insights.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Since this role involves influencing senior leaders, it’s crucial to show your interpersonal skills. If possible, connect with current employees or stakeholders beforehand to understand their challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re already thinking about how to build those trusted relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to translate ambiguous requirements into clear analytical outputs. Prepare by thinking of past experiences where you’ve successfully navigated similar situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Practice Presenting Complex Data Simply
You’ll need to present insights to non-technical audiences, so practice explaining complex data in simple terms. Consider doing mock presentations to friends or family who aren’t familiar with data analytics. This will help you refine your communication skills and ensure your insights are accessible and actionable.