Business Intelligence (BI) Manager

About UKCEH 

UKCEH is a leading independent research institute with over 600 scientists studying how the natural world works. We take a connected approach across land, water and air to understand environmental systems and build resilience for people and the planet. 

About This Role 

At UKCEH, trusted, high-quality data underpins both our environmental research and the way we operate as an organisation. As our project portfolio grows, so does the need for consistent, well-governed and accessible insight that supports confident, evidence-based decision-making. 

We are seeking an experienced and inquisitive Business Intelligence (BI) Manager to provide leadership and oversight of our organisational reporting, ensuring data can be transformed into trusted, decision-ready insights. This is a new and impactful role, focused on strengthening how we manage and use data beyond scientific systems, particularly across project and financial reporting. 

Within this role, you will have the autonomy to shape and evolve a more connected and reliable data environment, with the freedom to create, establish, maintain and continuously improve how organisational data is structured and used. You will lead the development of a centralised data environment, bringing together project, financial, people and other operational data into a single, trusted source, improving visibility of organisational performance and supporting more effective planning and decision-making. 

Working within an evolving Microsoft-based data ecosystem, you will reduce reliance on manual processes while bringing clarity and consistency to reporting. Your work will help colleagues plan effectively, manage risk and make informed decisions, while laying the foundations for future innovation, including automation and AI-enabled analytics, supporting outcomes that benefit both people and the planet. 

Your main responsibilities will include:  

• Leading and shaping UKCEH’s business intelligence and reporting strategy, defining how data is governed, trusted and used 

• Establishing authoritative data sources, shared definitions and key metrics to create a consistent organisational data foundation 

• Overseeing the Power BI platform, ensuring high standards of data quality, security and appropriate access control 

• Defining and maintaining the BI operating model, including standards, governance and best practice for reporting 

• Designing and developing trusted datasets, semantic models and dashboards that support organisational decision-making 

• Transforming reporting by reducing reliance on manual processes, duplicated spreadsheets and high-risk workarounds 

• Partnering with senior stakeholders within Finance, People, Workplace, IT and system owners to prioritise reporting needs and deliver measurable business value 

• Building organisational capability through training, guidance and best practice, while acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders 

Reporting into the Business Systems Manager, you will partner with senior leaders and system/process owners to shape how data is understood and used across the organisation, translating complex information into clear, actionable insight. You will work closely with colleagues across Finance, Project Accounting, People, IT and other Professional Services Teams, acting as UKCEH’s specialist in business intelligence and reporting within a collaborative professional services environment.  

In this role, you will drive the development of a UKCEH's BI capability - designing data models, architecture and governance frameworks that bring together information from multiple systems into trusted reporting datasets. Through tools such as Power BI, you will enable greater visibility of project performance, financial oversight and operational delivery, while building confidence and capability in data across teams. Your work will play a key role in advancing UKCEH’s data maturity, establishing scalable foundations that support continuous improvement and future innovation. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Significant experience in business intelligence, analytics or management information 

• Strong understanding of data modelling, reporting best practice and dashboard design 

• Experience establishing standards, governance and quality controls for data and reporting.  

• Experience designing or building data warehouses or data lakes 

• Proficiency in data extraction, storage and maintenance and integrating data from multiple systems for reporting 

• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and Board members 

• Ability to communicate complex data concepts clearly to non-technical audiences 

• A proactive, analytical approach with excellent attention to detail 

• Demonstrates initiative and creativity, generating innovative ideas to enhance reporting, performance management, data governance and operational efficiency 

What will help you stand out 

• Experience with Power BI and Microsoft data platforms 

• Experience working in a federated or matrix organisational environment, working closely with a variety of teams and datasets reporting teams 

• Background in project-based or research-focused organisations 

• Knowledge of Azure, Fabric or similar technologies 

• Experience improving processes through automation 

• Exposure to advanced analytics or AI-enabled tools 

• Exposure to AI-enabled analytics, automation and advanced reporting tools (desirable) 

How to apply and what happens next 

If you’re interested in this role, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be directed to our Workday portal where you’ll create an account and upload your CV and your responses to the questions below (approx. 8 mins). Your responses are an important part of our assessment process, so please take the time to complete them thoughtfully: 

• A separate cover letter is not required 

• Use clear, concise examples that demonstrate your personal contribution, relevant skills, qualifications (if applicable) and impact 

• Limit your responses to a maximum of 150 words per question 

• Once submitted, our panel will review your application, and please be assured that we are committed to providing an outcome for all applicants, regardless of the result. 

Questions: 

• Q1. Tell us about a time you designed or implemented a data warehouse or reporting solution. What approach did you take and what was the outcome? 

• Q2. How have you ensured data quality and governance in a previous role? 

• Q3. What tools and techniques have you used to integrate data from multiple systems? 

• Q4. If appointed, what would your priorities be during your first six months to create a trusted, organisation-wide BI function? 

Our commitment to inclusion 

At UKCEH, we believe everyone should feel welcome and able to be themselves at work. We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we’re happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process. 

Our approach to AI and applications 

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their application. We encourage you to ensure your submission reflects your own experience, skills and suitability for the role. Every application that meets the essential criteria will be reviewed by our recruitment panel. 

A note on sponsorship 

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.