An exciting opportunity has arisen at Oaklands for a Senior Report Writer to lead the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the College’s business intelligence, reporting and analytics environment.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Report Writer to join our team and play a crucial role in the design and delivery of reporting solutions, dashboards, automated workflows and management information that support strategic decision-making, operational performance, funding compliance and quality improvement.

In this position, you will lead the design, development, maintenance and monitoring of enterprise reporting solutions across College systems. Develop and maintain interactive Power BI dashboards, scorecards and data visualisations for governors, senior leaders and operational managers.

You will also be responsible for the design, development and maintenance of SQL Server databases, views, stored procedures, functions and reporting data models and develop business applications using Microsoft Power Apps to streamline and improve operational processes.

Your Day to Day Impact

Business Intelligence and Reporting

• Lead the design, development, maintenance and monitoring of enterprise reporting solutions across College systems.

• Develop and maintain interactive Power BI dashboards, scorecards and data visualisations for governors, senior leaders and operational managers.

• Design, develop and support SSRS reports, scheduled reporting solutions and selfservice reporting tools.

• Transform complex data into clear business intelligence that supports strategic and operational decision-making.

• Develop and maintain consistent reporting standards, definitions, measures and key performance indicators across the College.

Data Development and SQL

• Design, develop and maintain SQL Server databases, views, stored procedures, functions and reporting data models.

• Create and optimise complex T-SQL queries and datasets to support statutory, operational and management reporting requirements.

• Support the development and enhancement of the College’s data warehouse and associated data integration processes.

• Investigate and resolve data quality, reconciliation, performance and reporting issues.

• Maintain a controlled and documented library of reporting code, datasets, configurations and technical processes.

Microsoft Power Platform

• Develop business applications using Microsoft Power Apps to streamline and improve operational processes.

• Create automated workflows using Power Automate to reduce manual processing, improve controls and increase efficiency.

• Develop integrated solutions connecting MIS, curriculum, finance, HR and other College systems where appropriate.

• Promote effective, secure and sustainable use of the Microsoft Power Platform across the College.

Stakeholder Engagement and Service Delivery

• Work closely with senior leaders, curriculum teams and professional services to understand reporting and analytical requirements.

• Translate business requirements into clear technical specifications, data models and reporting outputs.

• Act as the lead point of contact for complex reporting, dashboard and data analysis requests.

• Explain technical concepts and analytical findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Plan and prioritise reporting developments in line with College objectives, agreed deadlines and service standards.

Information Governance, Compliance and Quality

• Ensure reporting solutions comply with UK GDPR, College data protection requirements, information security standards and role-based access controls.

• Support audit, funding, statutory and regulatory activity through the provision of accurate, timely and traceable management information.

• Develop and maintain reports that monitor the accuracy, completeness and quality of MIS data.

• Apply quality assurance, reconciliation, testing and change control to reporting developments before release.

• Maintain knowledge of FE sector data, funding and performance measures and apply this knowledge to reporting solutions.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to automate processes, consolidate reports and improve business efficiency.

• Regularly review dashboards, reports and applications to ensure they remain accurate, effective and aligned with evolving College needs.

• Evaluate new reporting and analytics technologies and recommend proportionate improvements.

• Support the College’s wider data strategy, digital transformation and business intelligence roadmap.

• Maintain professional knowledge through relevant training, continuous professional development and engagement with sector practice.

General Responsibilities

• Comply with all College policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, data protection and risk management requirements.

• Attend training, professional development and continuous improvement activities.

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Is This You?

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

• Customer-focused, approachable and able to establish positive working relationships.

• Highly organised, accurate and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

• Analytical, innovative and methodical, with strong research and problem-solving skills.

• Positive, flexible and committed to continuous improvement and professional development.

• An understanding of, and commitment to, cultural diversity, equality and inclusion.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience of developing and maintaining Power BI dashboards, reports, semantic models and data visualisations.

• Advanced SQL Server and T-SQL development skills, including complex queries, views, stored procedures and functions.

• Experience of developing and supporting SQL Server Reporting Services reports and scheduled reporting solutions.

• Experience of developing business solutions using Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate.

• Strong knowledge of relational database principles, data modelling and data warehousing.

• Experience of working with large, complex datasets and applying robust validation and reconciliation controls.

• Ability to interpret complex business requirements and translate them into sustainable technical solutions.

• Ability to present complex data and technical processes in a clear, accessible format.

• Experience of producing management information for senior leaders and operational managers.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel and wider Microsoft 365 skills.

• Understanding of data protection, information security and secure reporting practices.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience of working within Further Education, Higher Education or another public-sector environment.

• Knowledge of the Individualised Learner Record, FE funding methodologies and Department for Education performance measures.

• Experience of supporting data warehouse development, data integration and report consolidation.

• Experience of ProSolution, ProMonitor or comparable FE management information systems.

• Relevant Microsoft certification in Power BI, Power Platform, SQL Server or data analytics.

Qualifications

Essential

Level 3 qualification and GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent qualifications or experience.

Desirable

Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience in data, information systems, business intelligence or a related discipline.

Your Future Starts at Oaklands