Senior BI Developer

Are you passionate about turning data into powerful insights that drive strategic decisions? Join The Open University as a Senior BI Developer and play a key role in shaping how data informs decision-making across a world-class institution. About the Role As a Senior BI Developer, you will lead the design, delivery and continuous improvement of high‑quality reporting and dashboard solutions that support strategic and operational decision‑making across the University. The role has a strong focus on using reporting tools, combined with analytical judgement to ensure insight is robust, clearly interpreted and action‑oriented. The successful candidate will lead pieces of reporting and analytical work, provide guidance to other analysts, and act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders. This role is for a fixed term of 6 months. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Ownership of Work • Take lead responsibility for reporting and analytics workstreams, from scoping through to build using appropriate technology (e.g. Power BI) and ongoing improvement of complex reporting solutions. • Provide leadership and guidance to analysts within the team, supporting the development of reporting, analytical and data visualisation skills. • Set direction and standards for reporting outputs, ensuring consistency, quality and adherence to set standards and frameworks. Analytical Assurance & Insight • Apply analytical judgement to ensure reported data is accurate, meaningful and analytically robust. • Lead analytical investigation of trends, patterns and exceptions, identifying risks, opportunities and areas for intervention. • Lead or contribute to the development of analytical and evaluation frameworks to assess report performance and impact. Stakeholder Engagement & Influence • Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the University. • Translate complex business and strategic questions into effective reporting and analytical solutions • Constructively challenge assumptions, metrics and requests to improve clarity, relevance and impact. • Present insights and recommendations confidently to senior and non‑technical audiences, influencing decision‑making. Data Management & Governance • Lead good practice in the use of data for reporting, including documentation, definitions and quality assurance. • Work with multiple and complex data sources, ensuring appropriate handling and integration. • Ensure compliance with data protection, information security and data retention policies. General Responsibilities • Work autonomously, prioritising and managing a complex workload in a changing environment. • Contribute to the overall capability and effectiveness of the analytics function. • Demonstrate analytical practice and leadership in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies. • Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role. About You Essential: • Degree‑level qualification in a numerate or analytical discipline or equivalent relevant professional experience. • Extensive experience designing and delivering reporting and dashboard solutions, particularly using Power BI and/or Excel. • Proven ability to lead analytically complex work and ensure the quality and integrity of reporting outputs. • Strong experience interpreting complex datasets and translating analysis into clear, actionable insight. • Experience of leading or mentoring other analysts, providing technical and analytical guidance. • Demonstrated ability to work with senior stakeholders, influencing thinking and decision‑making through insight. • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and influentially. • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines. Desirable: • Experience using additional analytical or data tools (e.g. SQL, SAS, R, Python). • Experience contributing to performance frameworks, evaluation approaches or strategic monitoring. • Understanding of organisational data governance and reporting standards. Support with your application If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number. Why Join The Open University? At The Open University, we’re proud to lead the way in accessible education and data-driven transformation. This is your opportunity to shape how insight powers decisions that impact thousands of learners. Our benefits include: • 33 days annual leave, on top of bank holidays and a three-day Christmas closure period. • Access to a leading pension scheme for UK higher education with generous employer contributions. • Staff Fee Waivers for OU study, meaning you could earn a degree for free. • Hybrid working, with limited requirement to attend the office in-person, with agile working and family friendly policies. • Discounts, wellbeing support, and development opportunities. Ready to make an impact? Apply now and help us deliver powerful insights that shape the future of education at one of the UK’s most respected institutions.