Business Systems and Data Analyst

Founded in 1992, UCISA is the member-led professional body for digital practitioners in education. Open and inclusive, we work together to use our collective technical knowledge and digital expertise to help transform teaching, learning and research by supporting operational efficiency and an excellent student experience.

Our community collaborates, networks, and shares their inspirational thinking, practices and procedures so that we can all learn more, advance faster and be more effective. We also work closely with technology and digital service suppliers to the sector – helping them better understand the sector’s requirements so that they can deliver the solutions needed within member institutions. We are a registered charity working on a not-for-profit basis.

The continued success of UCISA in delivering better services to our members means we are expanding our team and have an exciting new senior role to offer.

BUSINESS SYSTEMS & DATA ANALYST 

The Business Systems Analyst is a new role within UCISA, reporting to our Head of Operations & Special Projects, with the specific aim of leading on our business systems, analysis and reporting and improving how we collect and utilise data and systems to better serve our members. A key element of this role is supporting both UCISA and its wider membership through the effective use of technology and data.

This key role presents an excellent opportunity for a highly organised, self-motivated, proactive individual who can manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and use their broader skill set to access, interrogate, interpret and report data and to provide key business insight and identify improvements.

As the lead for UCISA’s business systems and data, you will collaborate with our technology partners to support and enhance our systems. Your expertise will help us unlock the full potential of the data we collect, enabling the business to make informed decisions and plan for future developments. You will also oversee the deployment and effective use of Microsoft Teams for UCISA’s community groups, ensuring it meets their collaboration needs.

The post-holder will have a proven track record of delivering practical results, problem solving and be able to work under pressure. Possessing strong organisational skills, you will also be able prioritise workloads across all aspects of the role and work to tight deadlines. 

Summary of key Terms and Conditions

Contract: Permanent Full time, Oxford based, hybrid

Hours per week: 37.5, Monday-Friday with some flexibility to support UCISA events and participate in team days

Salary: £45-£50,000 per year (depending on candidate experience and skill set)

Leave: 30 days annual leave & 8 Bank Holidays

Pension: Defined Contribution scheme (6.7% employer contribution, voluntary employee contribution 0-6.7%)

Key role duties

Business Systems

Conduct research and analysis of business processes and user needs, defining and prioritising requirements for system and process improvements and efficiencies

• Translate business requirements into clear specifications for system design, configuration, and reporting
• Lead and maintain UCISA's business systems in collaboration with the Head of Operations, Special Projects, and external partners
• Oversee end-to-end project delivery, including product roadmaps, to maximise system functionality and benefits
• Develop implementation plans for new processes, including budgeting and resource allocation
• Support change management and the rollout of new systems within UCISA, including QA testing and support of UAT planning with business stakeholders to validate the functionality and integrity of solutions and facilitate resolution of issues identified during testing
• Communicate with management regarding system issues and coordinate outage/problem resolution
• Ensure system upgrades and changes follow change control procedures
• Collaborate across the organisation to embed new processes and systems
• Create user guide documentation and train and support staff and UCISA members to ensure effective use of systems and technologies.
• Oversee the deployment and optimal use of MS Teams for UCISA's community groups

Data Management

• Utilise data science techniques to extract insights and add value to business operations
• Analyse and model structured and unstructured datasets to provide key business intelligence
• Assist in the creation of data visualisations to present findings to the management team and other stakeholders
• Act as gatekeeper for UCISA data, managing data integrity and ensuring data is accurate before utilised for analysis and reporting
• Work with Management Team members to develop appropriate reports and audits of system usage, and data quality
• Consult and work with external ICT technicians and the Head of Operations and Special Projects in the implementation and maintenance of software, testing upgrades, version control and compatibility with associated hardware and software, for the systems
• Comply with all information governance requirements, including GPDR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Digital (Data and Use) Act 2025

IT Operations

Work closely with the Head of Operations and Special Projects to:

• Develop and enforce IT policies, maintain security standards and oversee compliance
• Liaise with IT providers in oversee responses to IT issues, coordinate resolutions and communicate with the relevant stakeholders 

The knowledge, skills and experience you need (E=Essential D=Desirable)

• E: Educated to degree level in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Business Administration, Information Technology) or equivalent experience
• D: Experience of managing services in HE sector or member led organisations
• E: Proven experience in a Business Systems Analyst role or similar. Substantial experience of effectively managing, analysing and reporting on business data in a digital environment
• D: Experience of CRM or events management systems
• E: Track record of working with complex datasets and delivering insights to improve business processes, including managing a product roadmap and overseeing system functionalities
• D: Familiarity with advanced data capture and processing methodologies
• E: Advanced Excel skills (e.g., sorting, filtering, pivoting, combining datasets)
• E: Experience supporting and advising community groups or members in the use of technology
• E: Highly competent in data analysis, modelling and using statistical techniques, including structured & unstructured data
• D: Knowledge of statistical techniques and their applications in business contexts
• E: Highly skilled at managing data quality control, validation and linkage and a proven knowledge of GDPR policies and compliance and experience of working appropriately with sensitive and/or confidential data
• E: A thorough knowledge of and experience of utilising data analysis tools, including advanced skills in Excel and relational database (such as Oracle)
• D: A thorough knowledge of and experience of utilising data analysis tools, including advanced skills in Excel and relational database (such as Oracle)
• E: Skilled in designing, developing user-friendly dashboard and visualisation products for reporting and disseminating key data and insights to inform decision-making
• D: Certified database Administrator Associate holder (such as Microsoft, Oracle). Experience with data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
• E: Experience of building effective relations with teams and contractors at all levels
• D: Experience supporting and advising community groups or members in the use of technology
• E: Highly effective communicator, able to create and present reports, findings and insights in a variety of formats for diverse audiences and stakeholders, including non-technical stakeholders
• E: Experience using collaboration tools, including Microsoft Teams/Office 365, Dynamics, Sharepoint, and supporting their deployment
• E: Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills to liaise with IT professionals, external providers, and all stakeholders
• E: Proven ability to collaborate with third-party suppliers to manage long-term partnerships
• E: Able to travel to, attend and support UCISA UK events and conferences as part of the whole team approach to our member events
• E: Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure
• E: Highly responsive, excellence service focused and very able to ‘think on your feet’
• E: Tactful, diplomatic and able to influence and engage with people at all levels of seniority
• E: Experience of creating and presenting high level documents, briefings and presentations
• E: Specialist analytical and complex problem-solving capability, including process and systems analysis, an ability to identify system improvements and strong eye for detail
• E: A proven knowledge of GDPR policies and compliance and experience of working appropriately with sensitive and/or confidential data 

To apply for this role, please email your CV and a covering letter of no more than 2 x A4 pages (in either Word or PDF format) explaining why you are applying this role to our HR Consultant via the 'Apply' button above (E: jo.cairns@sereniti.co.uk) by 16:00, 20 August 2025. 

Candidates must be located in the UK and have the legal right to work in the UK.  Previous applicants will not be considered. 

In person Interviews will take place on 12 September 2025 at the UCISA office in Oxford. 

A skills test will take place for which short-listed candidates will need to prepare for prior to the interview. Skills test information will be provided in advance of this date. 

Start date: As soon as possible.

For more information on UCISA and the role description and who we are looking for, please have a look at our website: https://www.UCISA.ac.uk/