Data and Returns Manager

Hours: Permanent, full time, 37 hours per week (1.0 FTE)

Salary: Band 5 - £37,694 to £42,254 per annum

About the Post

The University of Suffolk is seeking an experienced data professional to join a small team responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely submission of statutory and institutional data returns.

The successful candidate will be confident working with large and complex datasets, using a range of tools to extract, manipulate and analyse data. They will be able to identify issues and trends, communicate findings clearly to teams across the University, and support process improvement through evidence-based insight. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, alongside the ability to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

Experience using tools such as SQL Server for scripting and Excel for data analysis is essential. Experience within the higher education sector, particularly in relation to statutory data returns, would be desirable.

About the Team

The Planning and Management Information team sits within the Directorate of Finance and Planning, alongside Financial Management and Financial Operations.

The team is responsible for statutory data returns, institutional analysis and the University’s Business Intelligence function through Power BI. The data used by the team comes from across the University, as well as from external sources and partners. A key part of the team’s work is verifying, transforming and presenting data to meet the requirements of statutory returns and user-facing BI reporting.

This role is one of four posts focused on data returns, covering activity from advising on data collection through to understanding the impact of submitted data on areas such as university league tables.

About You

You will bring a high level of accuracy, strong analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities. You will work closely with colleagues to meet regular deadlines while also managing your own workload effectively.

If you enjoy working with data, have strong problem-solving skills and would like to be part of a close-knit and supportive team, we would love to hear from you. Please refer to the full job description for further details about the role, responsibilities and requirements. For an informal conversation, please contact Ed Nial, Assistant Head of Planning and MI, at e.nial@uos.ac.uk.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days for Bands 1-4 and 30 days for Bands 5 and above, plus 8 bank holidays and any university closure days.
• Enjoy an extra day of paid leave on your birthday, subject to qualifying/service conditions.
• Flexible working, including family friendly policies.
• Competitive workplace pension scheme (USS) – with an employer contribution rate of 14.5%, tax relief on contributions and life cover.
• Staff discounts at a number of local amenities in Ipswich.
• Discounted membership at Adastral Park Leisure and Sports
• Access to a range of high-quality learning and development opportunities
• Discounted rates for staff approved to study a UoS undergraduate or postgraduate course, subject to a set of criteria and conditions.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Staff recognition annual awards.

Closing Date: Monday 27 July 2026

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Ed Nial, e.nial@uos.ac.uk

Please see the Job Application Guidance to support your application.

Please note:

We recommend that you apply as soon as possible, even if the closing date is in the future.

Applications received may be reviewed before the closing date and should we receive a high number of applications for this post, or high-quality applications which demonstrate suitability, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early. We may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date.

Internal candidates with ‘At Risk’ status will be considered for suitability ahead of all other applications.

We are a values driven organisation, committed to ensuring we remain a beacon for aspiration and achievement, while providing a great environment to work and study. We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.