Location
Morden, London Borough of Merton

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£51,138 - £55,323 per annum

About the Role
Help us transform children's services through data, insight and innovation. At Merton, we believe that great data leads to better decisions, stronger services, and improved outcomes for children, young people and families.

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Data, Performance and Insight Analyst to join our ambitious Data, Performance and Insights function within the Children, Lifelong Learning and Families Department. This pivotal role is at the heart of our improvement and transformation journey.

Working closely with senior leaders, operational managers and front-line services, you will lead the delivery of high-quality analysis, business intelligence and performance reporting that drives strategic decision-making and service improvement.

This role will focus on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), while also working flexibly across the wider department to contribute to our vision of becoming a truly data-led organisation.

You will oversee the data function for children with SEND, shape how data is used across the department, and champion innovative approaches to performance management, business intelligence and insight generation. You will help services understand demand, performance, outcomes and future need, ensuring decisions are informed by robust evidence and meaningful intelligence.

Key responsibilities include:
- Leading a complex portfolio of analytical, performance and insight work, managing competing priorities and ensuring delivery to agreed deadlines
- Providing expert advice and championing best practice, using professional judgement to identify priorities, risks and opportunities
- Leading the delivery of high-quality analytical products, performance reporting and business intelligence
- Developing and maintaining engaging Power BI dashboards and visualisations
- Transforming complex datasets into actionable insights that influence policy, strategy and operational delivery
- Leading statutory data collections and returns, ensuring compliance, accuracy and timeliness
- Driving improvements in data quality, governance and information management
- Supporting service transformation programmes and digital modernisation initiatives
- Applying predictive analytics, forecasting techniques and emerging AI solutions to address business challenges
- Managing and developing analysts, building analytical capability across the service
- Working with senior leaders, partners and stakeholders to embed a culture of evidence-based decision making

Experience
- Significant experience in data analysis, business intelligence and performance management within a public sector environment, ideally Children's Services
- Experience delivering analytical products that support service improvement and strategic decision-making
- Experience of statutory reporting, information governance and data compliance
- Experience managing, mentoring or developing analysts and working with senior stakeholders
- Working with large and complex datasets from multiple systems
- Strong technical skills including use of visualisation tools such as Power BI
- Demonstrable experience of independently leading significant and complex workload, managing competing priorities

About you
You are an experienced senior analyst who combines technical expertise with curiosity, innovation and a passion for public service improvement. You have strong organisational, planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to make sound decisions and deliver high-quality outputs under pressure.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications in data analysis, business intelligence, statistics or related fields are desirable but not explicitly required. A commitment to continuous professional development and learning is essential.