Data and Systems Manager

The Trust Data and Systems Manager will lead on the strategic management, analysis, and optimisation of student, staff, and organisational data across all academies within the Trust. The successful candidate will ensure that high-quality, compliant data systems (such as Arbor) and analytical tools (such as Power BI) are utilised effectively to drive school improvement, secure statutory compliance, and support executive decision-making.

Crucially, the postholder will perform their duties in a manner that supports and promotes the distinctive Catholic mission, values, and ethos of the Trust and its constituent schools.

Key Responsibilities

1. Ethos and Mission

• Support and actively contribute to the Catholic vision, values, and distinct character of the Trust.
• Maintain positive, collaborative, and respectful working relationships with all stakeholders, including the Executive Team, the Central Team, Headteachers, local governors, and the Diocese.
• Ensure data handling policies and practices reflect the ethical standards and pastoral care essential to a Catholic educational community.

2. Strategic System Management & Integration

• Oversee the administration, development, and standardisation of the Trust’s Management Information Systems (MIS) across all primary and secondary schools.
• Lead on the migration or onboarding of new schools into the centralised Trust systems.
• Manage user permissions, system access profiles, and data workflows to maintain an optimal balance between accessibility and absolute data security.
• Liaise with external system providers and third-party software applications to ensure seamless integration and data synchronisation.

3. Data Analysis, Insight & Reporting

• Design, build, and maintain centralised data dashboards (e.g., via Power BI) to visually present unique and personalised key performance indicators (KPIs) regarding all aspects of Trust performance and contextincluding pupil attainment, progress, attendance, and behaviour.
• Provide the Executive Leadership Team, Trust Board, Local Academy Committees and School Leaders with highly accurate, timely, and concise strategic reports to evaluate school performance.
• Deliver deep-dive data analysis to help isolate trends and identify in-school variations or vulnerable student groups needing intervention.

4. Statutory Returns & Compliance

• Coordinate and take accountability for the flawless and timely execution of all statutory data returns, including School Censuses, Workforce Censuses, and specific Diocesan data tracking.
• Act as a key point of guidance on data protection regulations (UK GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018), ensuring all schools manage student and staff information securely and lawfully.
• Ensure the creation of and adherence to data sharing agreements across the Trust.
• Supervise the electronic transfer of student records between schools during key transition phases (e.g., Year 6 to Year 7).

5. Training and Support Network

• Establish and lead a Trust-wide professional network for school-based data and administration staff to embed best practices, unified data entry protocols, and high standards of accuracy.
• Design and deliver professional development (CPD) and training programs to upskill "non-data specialists" so they can successfully translate data insights into classroom impact.
• Support academy leadership teams through key operational peaks, such as the new academic year setup, timetabling integration, and exam results analysis periods.