Senior Data Platform Manager

Overview

In this role you will own the end-to-end management of the Power BI and Microsoft Fabric platform, aligning it with the university’s Data Strategy and user needs. You will lead design, deployment, support and continuous improvement, partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver trusted data as a strategic asset. You will influence policy, governance and platform delivery while shaping transformative service developments. This is a chance to impact data-enabled decision making at a leading university.

Pay / Benefits

• 30 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays and 4 discretionary days
• Generous USS pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme and travel discounts
• On-site sport and gym facilities; employee assistance programme
• On-site nursery and access to children’s holiday camps
• Family-friendly policies and visa support options

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end management of the Power BI and Fabric platform (design, configuration, deployment, support, maintenance, improvement)
• Lead technology change to enable the institution’s Data Strategy and better use of data
• Deliver data platform projects across diverse functions to meet organisational needs
• Provide specialist advice to customers and senior managers and influence decision making
• Implement policies/procedures and drive service improvements
• Lead multidisciplinary teams through project/service delivery and develop platform processes
• Design and maintain data platform tools and environments for ongoing delivery
• Collaborate on policy, standards and data governance with the Senior Data Governance Manager
• Identify development priorities and drive service improvements; lead business process reviews
• Ensure appropriate storage and management of commercial/personal data
• Plan and scope large-scale, university-wide data initiatives (institutional datasets)
• Monitor usage, performance and expenditure; report on progress
• Plan training and engage stakeholders to enable self-service reporting within governance standards
• Represent the service externally and internally; deputise for Head of Business Intelligence when needed

Key requirements

• Degree level education or equivalent experience
• Specialist knowledge of dimensional/semantic data modeling (star schemas, complex relationships, calculation logic) in BI tools or data platforms
• Experience leading data/analytics service or platform projects
• Experience advising customers and senior managers and influencing outcomes
• Experience implementing policies and supporting service improvements
• Track record leading multidisciplinary teams in project/service delivery
• Excellent written and spoken communication; ability to build relationships
• Strong digital competence including Power BI and modern data platform technologies (Microsoft Fabric or equivalent)
• Commitment to continuing professional development and data governance/compliance knowledge
• Ability to resolve complex data/platform problems and plan technical/strategic solutions
• Knowledge of regulatory and organisational data policies

• Effective communication and stakeholder management
• Influencing and relationship-building with internal/external partners
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Power BI
• Microsoft Fabric
• Modern data platform technologies

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