Information Analyst

The Student Number Planning and Performance team lead the development of the University’s institutional future student registration targets, forecast its expected student intake in the current academic year and report student recruitment performance to internal and external stakeholders.

The work of the team collectively informs the University’s financial and operational capacity planning processes, as well as contributing to the University’s internal and external statements of expected business performance. This Information Analyst role will provide support across the team with a focus on providing forecasting support.

Working as part of the team, the Information Analyst will be responsible for supporting the generation of the student registration forecasts for the current academic year. As such, they will utilise and develop our statistical forecast models to accurately predict and forecast the size and shape of student populations and maintain the business integrity of the models in support of the University’s strategic, tactical and operational agenda.

The Information Analyst will also maintain and develop the systems and data infrastructure as necessary to ensure that critical student number planning, forecasting and reporting outputs continue to be delivered as the University transitions to new systems, data and analytic solutions., * Working with the Senior Information Manager, take day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the monthly institutional student number forecast process, ensuring that key assumptions, methodological judgements and final forecast positions are appropriately reviewed and agreed.

• Conduct robust analyses of student number related data and information across a range of sources to inform the student number planning, forecasting and reporting processes, and to evaluate the performance of the forecasting models and thereby improve forecast accuracy, business insight, and process efficiency.
• Operate, maintain and develop the statistical forecasting models and associated processes, implementing agreed methodological and business decisions and ensuring that models appropriately reflect changes in student behaviour, funding arrangements and operational processes.
• Provide appropriate expertise, advice and guidance in supporting stakeholders across the University reliant on forecast outputs for their business processes and develop a reciprocal network amongst peers to support the collegiate approach to the work of the team that utilises relevant expertise across the University.
• Produce forecast outputs, commentary and visualisations that clearly explain movements, assumptions, risks, opportunities and uncertainty to relevant stakeholders.
• Work with the University’s data teams to ensure that the integrity of the systems and data architecture, data sources, data policies, and data definitions that underpin the team’s processes are appropriately developed and maintained.
• Support the generation of the annual student number plan for future years (5-year forecasting) and associated outputs for the current academic year, and as required to generate the weekly Student Number Report and associated outputs.
• As required, undertake analytical work in response to emerging institutional questions and priorities, translating complex student data into clear conclusions and actionable insight., It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be approximately one day per week (mainly on Wednesdays with some Tuesdays or Thursdays) and ad hoc as required.

• A relevant degree or equivalent higher education qualification in a subject with a strong mathematics or statistics element, or work experience at a comparable level.
• Highly numerate, analytical and logical, with experience in building statistical models and data reports using statistical software, and data visualisations using interactive visualisation software such as Tableau, Power BI, etc.
• Proven experience in extracting, manipulating, and interrogating large and complex datasets using SQL, SAS, Python or equivalent and building production-grade dashboards in Power BI.
• High level of expertise in using Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both oral and written, with an ability to translate complex arguments/proposals in a meaningful way to inform and influence stakeholders.
• Demonstration and application of attention to detail in both language and data.
• An understanding of why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion metrics are institutionally significant.
• Excellent collaboration skills, ability to develop effective working relationships within the team, department and across the organisation, including academic, technical, administrative, and senior colleagues.
• Employs methodical working practices and manages competing priorities effectively, utilising sound judgement to manage situations without compromising service quality.
• Able to work independently, to business-critical deadlines, and respond to change in a flexible and positive manner.
• A strong commitment to excellence in working with a diverse student population.

Desirable:

• Experience with Microsoft Fabric OR traditional Azure cloud data solutions.
• Experience of working within a Higher or Further Education planning environment.

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

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