Principal Data Analyst
c. £80,000 per annum
Bedford Based
Hybrid Working
Permanent
Join us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as a Lead Data Governance Manager where you will lead analytics, business intelligence (BI), and data literacy initiatives. You will coordinate and guide over 20 data analysts across the organisation, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. Your expertise in Power BI will be crucial to implement and maintain processes for optimal Power BI system use and deliver actionable insights across MaPS.
Additionally, you will oversee performance analytics for digital and product initiatives and you’ll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to helping people across the UK improve their financial wellbeing.
Role Overview
In this role, you will develop and communicate a clear vision for analytics that aligns with the Data Strategy, enhancing data literacy across the organisation. You will plan and execute strategic initiatives as part of the analytics roadmap, support individual growth through mentoring and professional development, and implement well-documented processes for continuous improvement. In this role, you will be responsible for:
- Lead the Money and Pensions Service Analytics Community: Coordinate and lead over 20 data analysts across the organisation.
- Power BI Expertise: Act as an expert user, providing mentoring and guidance alongside creating templates and guidelines for high-quality dashboards.
- Power BI System Oversight: Establish, implement, and maintain processes for Power BI system oversight to ensure optimal value.
- Provide Analytical Insights: Deliver actionable insights and advice on improving analytical work.
- Oversee Digital and Product Performance: Manage performance analytics for digital and product initiatives.
- Communicate Vision and Strategy: Develop and communicate a clear vision for analytics across the Money and Pensions Service that aligns with the Data Strategy.
- Driving Data Literacy: Facilitate and enhance the organisation's data literacy, ensuring colleagues are proficient in interpreting and leveraging data for decision-making.
- Proactive and Strategic Work: Plan and execute strategic initiatives as part of the analytics roadmap, and wider Data Strategy.
- Develop Team Potential: Support individual growth through mentoring, coaching, and seeking out other professional development opportunities.
- Ensure Robust Team Processes: Implement and maintain well-documented processes for planning and delivery which enables continuous improvement.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Leadership: Previous experience in leading analytics teams and communities within public and/or private sector organisations.
- Power BI Expertise: Expertise in Power BI, including system oversight, and successfully leading organisation-wide adoption.
- Data Analytics: Proficiency in using data analytics tools and techniques (including Power BI) to effectively communicate and enable actionable insights.
- Communication Skills: Strong communication skills to turn complex data into clear, compelling, and actionable stories.
- Business Goals Understanding: Deep understanding of business goals and the ability to translate these into tangible measures.
- Vision for Analytics Teams: Experience in developing and communicating a clear vision for analytics teams.
- Strategic Planning: Proactive and strategic planning skills to execute initiatives as part of an analytics roadmap and aligning with the Data Strategy.
- Mentoring and Coaching: Ability to support individual and team growth through mentoring, coaching, and seeking out professional development opportunities.
- Team Processes: Knowledge and experience of implementing robust team processes, including agile and lean frameworks.
- Data Quality Assurance: Understanding of data quality assurance, validation, and linkage.
- Digital technology: Technical understanding of digital products and services.
- Advanced Analytics Tools: Knowledge and experience using tools for advanced analytics (e.g., Python, Databricks).
About Us
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.
At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:
- Caring
We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
- Connecting
We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
- Transforming
We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.
Our Inclusive Working Environment
By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.”
Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.
What We Offer
- Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
- Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
- Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
- Cycle to work Scheme
- Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
- Life assurance scheme
- Give as you earn scheme
- Employee assistance programme (EAP)
- PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
- Enhanced family and sick pay
- Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
- Recognition Scheme
- Discounts portal to numerous retailers
Flexible Working
At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Career Development
In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.
Reserve List
If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.
Application Process
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Job Reference: MaPS00845
Close Date: 18/05/2025