Senior Business Intelligence Analyst (HE Student Numbers and Returns) in Inverness

UHI is the United Kingdom’s leading integrated university encompassing both further and higher education. We are more than a college and more than a traditional university: a diverse, flexible partnership, rooted in our communities and driven by their needs. Our network of colleges, specialist teaching centres and internationally recognised research institutes delivers supported, flexible learning from access level to PhD.

The Reporting and Intelligence Team is a collaborative group of 5 staff based within UHI’s Executive Office. We play a vital role in delivering high-quality management and operational reports that inform decision-making across the university. The team’s work supports a wide range of university activities, from statutory reporting and performance indicators (KPIs and SPIs) to the development of interactive dashboards and visual insights that bring student data to life.

We have a vacancy for a senior analyst to join our team and help us enhance the way data is used to manage and monitor HE student numbers and statutory data.

Summary of the Role

The post-holder leads the University’s approach to student numbers, FTE data, and reporting, ensuring the provision of accurate, reliable, and robust data to support institutional planning, resource allocation, and funding requirements. The postholder will have oversight of data systems and reporting solutions, bringing together technical expertise and analytical insight to support the University’s objectives and continuous improvement.

In addition, the postholder will have a central role in the design, development, and maintenance of high-quality data reports and dashboards that support effective decision-making across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and its academic partners. Working with tools such as SQL Server, SSRS, and Power BI, the role will involve translating complex datasets into clear, meaningful, and actionable insights that inform both operational activity and strategic planning.

The successful candidate will analyse trends, identify risks and opportunities, and translate complex data into clear, actionable insight for senior stakeholders. The post-holder must be able to ensure that data outputs are accurate, timely, and user-friendly. They will develop and optimise SQL queries, test and validate reports, create documentation, and provide user training to help colleagues make effective use of data. The role also involves managing access permissions, troubleshooting technical issues, and continuously improving reporting processes and tools.

Applicants should have strong technical and analytical skills, with experience of working with data, reporting, and business intelligence tools such as SQL Server, SSRS, and Power BI (or comparable data visualisation platforms). The organisation uses Power BI as its primary business intelligence and reporting platform. Candidates with experience in comparable tools will be expected to demonstrate the ability to adapt quickly.

You will be comfortable working with complex datasets and can interpret data and present it clearly to a range of audiences, from technical specialists to senior stakeholders. An understanding of student number planning, or higher education statutory reporting (or a willingness to develop this expertise) as well as with student records systems such as SITS would be advantageous.

We are looking for someone who is collaborative, proactive, and solution-focused, with the ability to work independently as well as part of a wider team, and who is committed to using data to support informed decision-making across the institution.

A detailed job description and person specification for the post are included. Applicants with informal questions are encouraged to contact Leigh Montgomery at leigh.montgomery@uhi.ac.uk.

Pay, Location and Benefits

This role is linked to grade 7 on the UHI pay scale. The starting salary for this position will normally be £42,188 to £44,758 per annum. This post is full time and will involve working 35 hours per week on a working pattern as agreed with your line manager. The workplace pension scheme we provide to workers at grade 6 and above is the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). This is a qualifying pension scheme, which means it meets or exceeds the government’s standards.

Full-time posts carry a total of 42 days leave per annum (pro rata for part-time posts). It is practice that, with the exception of a Christmas and New Year closure, leave may be taken at any time of year, subject to the requirements of the post and department and with the permission of your line manager. The preferred base for this role is UHI House, Inverness, where the department is primarily located and workspace is available. We welcome applications from candidates who wish to be based there. Alternative working arrangements may be considered; however, regular travel to Inverness will be required. The agreed work location will be confirmed during the recruitment process.

Recruitment Process

When completing the application form please ensure that you clearly evidence how you meet the selection criteria identified on the relevant person specification. The deadline for submitting your application is Sunday 1 March 2026. Shortlisting and interviews will be scheduled shortly after this date. If you have any queries regarding our recruitment and selection process, or if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments to either the recruitment process or the prospective job, please contact the HR team as soon as possible. Interviews will be held to be confirmed.

At UHI, we offer a supportive, flexible and rewarding place to work, with a range of benefits including:

• 42 days’ annual leave (pro rata)
• Attractive pension scheme and options for additional contributions
• Flexible working and family-friendly policies
• Occupational sick pay and an Employee Assistance Programme (incl. spousal support)
• High-street and online retail discounts
• 10% off Highlife Highland memberships
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Contribution towards DSE prescription glasses
• Free parking and EV charging (where available)
• LinkedIn Learning access for ongoing professional development
• Long-service awards and active social events

If you have any queries about the application process please contact the HR Office at HR@uhi.ac.uk.