Durham University
Senior Data Platform Manager
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The Role and the Department
This role is an integral part of a shift in service ownership for Power BI and Microsoft Fabric. The service was previously owned by the Computing and Information Services (CIS) and is now owned by the Strategy, Planning and Insight Office (SPIO). This innovative way of working will ensure that our new institutional data platform (in Microsoft Fabric) is aligned with organisational priorities and customer needs. The post holder will be responsible for the end-to-end management of the Power BI/Fabric platform, including its design, configuration, deployment, support, maintenance, and continuous improvement. They will lead the delivery of technology change in support of the organisation’s Data Strategy, enabling better use of data as a strategic asset.
What You Need to Demonstrate When You Apply
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
- Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge of dimensional/semantic data modelling (for example star schemas, complex relationships and calculation logic), whether within BI tools such as Power BI or on data warehouse or modern data platform services, with the expertise to influence service delivery and activities within the organisation.
- Experience of participating in networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.
- Experience of leading the delivering of data or analytics service or platform projects that bring together diverse functions within an educational, commercial or industrial environment to meet organisational needs.
- Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including presenting to and influencing senior managers.
- Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
- Track record of working as part of a multidisciplinary team to lead colleagues through project or service delivery.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, and Power BI, together with knowledge of modern data platform technologies such as Microsoft Fabric (or equivalent).
- Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
- Professional knowledge and experience of information governance and cyber security compliance and regulations.
- Ability to solve complex data and platform-related problems and decide on and plan appropriate technical and strategic solutions.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
- Ability to plan the delivery of a technology-based service at operational and strategic levels.
Desirable Criteria
- Technical experience with enterprise data warehouse solutions, statistical analysis tools, database systems, and data visualisation applications, such as Microsoft Fabric or equivalent.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
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Submitting Your Application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What You Need to Submit
- A CV
- A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
Contact Details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Neil Dawson, Head of Business Intelligence (neil.dawson@durham.ac.uk).
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
- Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of University policy and external developments relevant to your role.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of external developments, including the Microsoft Fabric roadmap and evolving platform capabilities, to ensure the service remains aligned with best practice and user needs.
- Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met in the design, configuration, and operation of the Power BI and Microsoft Fabric services under your responsibility.
- Use your professional knowledge and experience as a data platform and analytics practitioner to resolve technical and service-related issues, shape platform processes and user engagement activities, develop and optimise system configurations, and provide subject matter expertise and advice.
- Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area, and making recommendations for service improvements based on your analysis.
- Support the team to create testing plans and test and validate the configuration, functionality, and security of Power BI and Microsoft Fabric environments, ensuring that datasets, reports, and access controls meet organisational standards and governance requirements.
- In collaboration with the Senior Data Governance Manager, contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of policies, standards and procedures governing access to and use of data within the Microsoft Fabric platform, ensuring compliance with data governance requirements and supporting effective, secure, and consistent use across the organisation.
- Use your professional expertise and leadership skills to identify development priorities and shape the Power BI and Fabric service to achieve the required outcomes.
- Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
- Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
- Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
Planning and Organisation
- Contribute to the development of operational and strategic-level plans relevant to your area.
- Scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives to ensure that shared institutional datasets in the Microsoft Fabric platform deliver value to analyst users and to ensure agreed objectives are delivered.
- Lead and manage the development of institutional datasets such as core HR, research, student and finance data, that can be used across the organisation. Monitor usage and performance, providing progress reports and taking action to ensure agreed outcomes are met.
- Promote a culture of iterative delivery that focuses on delivering frequent value to customers and prioritising working solutions over perfect design.
- Lead the design and implementation of transformative service developments.
- Design, configure, and maintain the data platform tools, environments, and resources required for the effective delivery and continual improvement of the Power BI and Microsoft Fabric service.
- Research technological trends and developments to determine the implications, risks and opportunities to change how services are delivered in your area.
- Manage and monitor health and safety assessments and security procedures to ensure compliance.
- Monitor expenditure and capacity of the Fabric platform and participate in contract evaluation activity with CIS.
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Team Work
- Provide oversight for short term / temporary data project teams.
- Contribute to developing the skills and expertise of colleagues in the MI Hub team, in line with the team's priorities.
- Share good practice in BI development, data modelling and modern data platform tools to help colleagues build their capability.
Communication/Liaison
- Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
- Plan and deliver training on Power BI development and the use of shared institutional datasets in Microsoft Fabric, supporting a technical colleagues to do the same, to enable users to build reports independently in line with established governance, standards, and templates.
- Provide professional guidance and advice when managing complaints, queries and service requests related to the Power BI and Fabric service, including supporting customers to complete business case templates to enable effective prioritisation.
- Build and establish contacts and networks with key stakeholders, internal and external staff, suppliers, and industry specialists.
- Create positive internal working relationships, actively contributing to forums such as the BI Community and other stakeholder groups, using these networks to share knowledge, support collaboration, and enhance service delivery.
- Develop and maintain external networks to increase your professional knowledge and skills, exchange information with peers, and positively influence the University’s reputation.
- Represent the service and University at promotional events.
- Deputise for the Head of Business Intelligence occasionally as required.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.
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