Data Insight Analyst

Advert

Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland - is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, we have strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.

Named UK Modern University of the Year for Graduate Jobs in the latest Daily Mail University Guide, and the top-ranked UK modern university in the Times and Sunday Times Guide 2026, we are a UK top 40 university according to these highly regarded guides. We are the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation and were ranked first in Scotland for sustainability in the most recent People and Planet league table (2024).

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners, we are the top university in Scotland for students in employment and/or further study within 15 months of graduating at 92% - with 78% of graduates in highly skilled occupations (HESA 2025). We are Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships. We are committed to widening participation, helping more people from diverse backgrounds into university. Our modern campuses support nearly 23,000 students from 119 countries.

Our research is addressing many of today’s biggest global challenges. We are unsurpassed by any other Scottish modern university for the level of research (72%) considered to be world leading or internationally excellent, and our health research is surpassed only by King’s College London for outstanding impact (REF2021).

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

Strategy, Planning and Insight undertake a range of activities related to the student journey and University performance including strategy development and implementation, policy analysis, market insight, strategic planning, statutory returns, business intelligence and data analysis.

The role involves working with the Lead Data Insight Analyst and other colleagues in the department to support the design, data modelling, regular monitoring and reporting of trends, insights and forecasts of key student groups across the student lifecycle support; and evaluate the accuracy of student data, investigating root causes, data quality and integrity issues. The role holder will also support use and analysis of external data sources through design and development of datasets and dashboards to support the strategic goals of the university relating to student numbers, student profile, market insight and portfolio development. They will analyse and interpret data to provide meaningful insight for senior management and other stakeholders. The role holder will additionally support the University's statutory data returns to HESA and the SFC, and assist in the checking and analysis of internal data for these returns.

The successful candidate will be educated to HND level or equivalent and relevant professional or postgraduate qualification is desirable. They will have experience of reviewing and analysing quantitative data from a variety of sources to generate meaningful insight, and of presenting complex information and analysis in clear effective formats to inform decision making for a range of audiences. They therefore must have strong numerical analysis skills and experience of ensuring data quality, accuracy, and integrity in analysis and reporting; experience of problem solving; the ability to plan, organise and progress a broad range of activities, delivering high quality outputs accurately, within professional guidelines and to deadlines. Advanced experience of using IT packages (e.g. Microsoft Excel, databases or similar tools) to manipulate, analyse and present data and analysis is also essential.

A range of desirable skills, knowledge and experience is welcome, including experience of working in the Higher Education sector; of using data visualisation tools, data preparation and workflow tools; using SITS student records system or similar large-scale records system; an understanding of data modelling; and a good understanding of information/data processing legislation and guidance.

If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Susan Whittaker, Head of Insight and Policy Analysis, at Susan.Whittaker@gcu.ac.uk

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena Swan Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

The University holds the Race Equality Charter Bronze award, in recognition of our work to combat racism and support race equality.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the ‘Carer Positive Established’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities. Glasgow

Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception).