Senior Business Intelligence Analyst (Institutional Insight) 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 support learning, teaching, and strategic outcomes across UHI.

The postholder will play a key role in designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality data reports and dashboards that drive informed decision-making across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and its academic partners. Using tools such as SQL Server, SSRS, and Power BI, the role focuses on transforming complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that support both operational and strategic objectives. This position also holds responsibility for the interpretation of high-quality internal management reports, dashboards, and intelligence to support strategic decision-making in UHI.

The role drives the development, review and continuous improvement of student management reporting to inform institutional planning, student growth, and strategic priorities. The successful candidate will analyse trends, identify risks and opportunities, while translating 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. In addition, they must have excellent attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical colleagues. Experience in higher or further education, or 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.

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 information on the scheme can be found at USS.

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.

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.