Trust Data and Systems Analyst – 2 days per week

Location: Trust-wide (Havering based but some travel may be necessary)

Reporting to: CFOO and IT Manager

Key Relationships: IT Manager, Finance Manager, Head of Operations, Head of People and Trust School Leaders

Role Purpose

As the LIFE Education Trust continues to develop its operational infrastructure, we are seeking a Data and Systems Analyst to support the integration of our data and the streamlining of our reporting. This role will assist the IT Manager and CFOO in ensuring our systems communicate effectively and that our data is accurate, accessible, and useful. The focus is on supporting the transition from manual data processing to automated reporting, providing the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) with the insights they need to monitor Trust performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Systems Mapping and Infrastructure Review:
• Support the IT Manager and Head of Operations in monitoring how data flows between our core platforms (MIS, finance, and operational tools). Assist in identifying and resolving data inconsistencies.
• Identify and mitigate "data silos" to ensure that the infrastructure supports our growth and aligns with the Trust Development Plan 2026-27.

• Centralised Data Strategy:
• Assist in the development of a Trust-wide reporting dashboard that aggregates key performance metrics. The goal is to move from manual data manipulation to automated, “single-source-of-truth” reporting.
• Collaborate with the IT Manager to ensure our cloud integration strategy supports seamless data connectivity between new and existing schools.

• Compliance and Governance:
• Assist the Head of Operations and CFOO to maintain data integrity, ensuring all systems and data processes are fully compliant with GDPR and DfE statutory requirements.
• Working with the IT Manager, establish standardised protocols for data access and security, ensuring that sensitive information is managed with the necessary rigour expected in a multi-academy trust.

• Strategic Support:
• Prepare routine data reports for the CFOO, helping to turn raw data into accessible formats that highlight key trends in finance, HR, and pupil metrics.

Person Specification

• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in systems architecture, data warehousing, or advanced business intelligence (BI) tooling. Proficiency in integrating disparate systems (e.g., Bromcom, PS Financials, and cloud infrastructure) is essential.

• Analytical Rigour: You must be able to think systemically. We need someone who can evaluate the “Pros and Cons” of different architectural approaches, referencing industry standards to justify technical decisions.

• Communication Skills: An ability to translate complex technical ‘IT-speak’ into clear, strategic language that resonates with an Executive Leadership Team focused on educational outcomes.

• Collaborative Mindset: You will be working with a team of hub-based Operations Managers with varying levels of financial and data literacy. You must be comfortable coaching them and helping to standardise practice across the Trust.