Please note, this vacancy is open to current University of Glasgow employees only 

Job Purpose

We are recruiting for a Strategic Planning Analyst to work in the Planning Insight & Analytics Directorate at the University of Glasgow. This role reports to the Deputy Director of Strategic Planning and is part of a supportive, flexible team at the heart of the University. Our team has a broad base of expertise, spanning everything from policy, strategy and planning through to analytics, data engineering and data governance. We have a strong emphasis on personal development, looking to build rounded analysts equipped with the right range of skills for a satisfying career in strategy, insight and data. We are a warm, friendly, and supportive bunch, building a shared sense of purpose, and delivering insights that support the activities of our world-class, world-changing university.

This role will bring a strategic focus to the University’s activity in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The SDGs touch on every school, college and service area, and so this role will build knowledge and experience across the 17 SDGs, and how they apply to research, learning and teaching, outreach and operational activity. The role holder will therefore have a part to play in shaping a coordinated institutional strategy in relation to SDGs, joining the dots between SDG aligned activities and investments (for example, Glasgow Changing Futures) The role will have lead responsibility for our submissions to the global sustainability rankings (specifically the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and the QS Sustainability Ranking). This will include coordinating and overseeing the quality of data and evidence, ensuring it is visible to the public where appropriate, writing the annual SDG report and briefing senior leaders and identifying and delivering improvements to policy and process. The role will also lead on ensuring that this work, as well as other case studies, is available to government, funders and the wider university community to support work around evidence, outcomes, impact and engagement. The role will support strategic projects as needed.

This role provides an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, flexibility, and credibility, together with strategic thinking and planning, to quickly establish trust and support and build collaborative networks across the University, enabling you to provide high quality analysis and insight that lands with impact. You will possess excellent communication skills and an outstanding ability to work in partnership with a range of colleagues at all levels across the University to deliver insight and analysis that meets the needs of your stakeholders and the strategic direction of the University. You will collaborate and share best practice across Planning Insights & Analytics, as well as with teams across the institution.

Main Duties

1. Lead on the UofG submission to the Times Higher Impact Rankings and its quality assurance, including coordination and oversight of the data submission, preparing the annual SDG report, and liaising with senior stakeholders to maximise the quality and reach of our submission. Manage relationships with key external partners in relation to SDGs (i.e. Times Higher Education, UNESCO). Manage and provide strategic direction to the SDG oversight group to ensure quality assurance is undertaken, and make recommendations to the group to maximise our external impact. Identify trends, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that may have an impact on the University or specific strands of work to enable appropriate and timely action to be taken.

2. Establish and maintain a credible business partnership model with key colleagues across the University in relation to the SDGs. Establish strong working relationships with other senior stakeholders as needed.

3. Engage at the most senior levels within the University, with authority to influence and shape thinking on strategic planning and decision-making relating to your areas of responsibility.

4. Work autonomously and bring new ideas and innovative ways of working to the areas. Engage with key stakeholders and work collaboratively with colleagues to investigate and highlight areas of best practice and identify improvement opportunities.

5. Advise on the analysis and interpretation of policy, data and other information, identify trends and test solutions and report on progress to support the resolution of issues. Co-ordinate and specify deep dive analysis and recommendations on specific issues e.g. policy, impact analysis, strategic reviews etc.

6. Build relationships with key staff in order to understand ongoing developments, decisions and priorities as well as where further support is required.

7. Establish and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the University’s academic provision and outputs to be able to accurately prioritise, inform and present integrated analysis.

8. Contribute to the formulation of policy to improve quality and effectiveness of service provision, taking into account, where relevant, legislative changes.

Knowledge, Qualification, Skills & Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of Higher Education guidelines and policies.

B2 Knowledge of University and HE Sector/developments.

B3 Knowledge of data analysis methods and techniques.

B4 Knowledge of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings methodology.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Strong interpersonal skills including motivational negotiating, motivating, influencing and relationship building.

C2 Proven high level communication skills, obtained through representational, influencing and/or negotiating activities.

C3 Proven analytical and problem-solving capability across a broad range of management functions.

C4 Ability to think strategically and to maintain sight of the big picture when considering priorities and delivering insight

C5 Drive, enthusiasm and a high degree of personal effectiveness.

C6 Able to engage with people, building credible relationships.

C7 Ability to work to timescales with competing demands.

C8 Ability and commitment to work calmly under pressure in a busy environment and achieve high quality work standards.

C9 Excellent oral and written presentation skills and ability to adapt delivery to suit audience needs.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of using data analysis and insight to inform decision making.

E2 Previous experience working in a cross-departmental role.

E3 Experience of building credible relationships that deliver value.

E4 Experience of working with and influencing senior management.

E5 Experience of writing briefs and presenting on strategically significant issues for stakeholders.

E6 Project and/or people management skills gained through previous experience.

E7 Experience of managing the activities of self and/or others.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working in the HE sector.

F2 Experience of using Business Intelligence platforms e.g. PowerBI, Qlikview, Tableau.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Bethan Ellis bethan.ellis@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,559 - £57,422 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

Closing Date: 23:45 3rd April 2025