Job Description
Job Title:  Data Analyst
Posting Start Date:  28/07/2026
Job Id:  2933
School/Department:  IT Services
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  £32,080.00 - £36,636.00 with potential to progress to £39,906
Closing Date:  11/08/2026

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

 

Overview

The Data Analyst supports the delivery of data activities within a large-scale enterprise transformation programme, including the transition from SAP ECC to new platforms across HR, finance, procurement, and expenses.

The role focuses on analysing data, identifying and structuring data issues, and supporting their resolution. Working with both business stakeholders and technical teams, the Data Analyst translates data findings into clear insights, helping the programme understand data challenges and make informed decisions.

The role operates with a high degree of independence on defined tasks, while working alongside Senior Data Analysts on more complex issues.

The role operates within a large-scale transformation programme moving from SAP ECC to multiple new platforms. The environment is complex and fast-moving, requiring a pragmatic approach to analysing and improving data without unnecessary over-analysis.

Main duties and responsibilities

Data Analysis, Discovery & Issue Management

     Analyse legacy data (e.g. SAP ECC) across multiple functional domains to identify data quality issues such as completeness, accuracy, and consistency

      Investigate data anomalies and support root cause analysis

      Structure findings into clear problem statements, including issue, cause, and business impact

      Manage and progress data quality issues through to resolution, maintaining clear documentation and tracking

Data Preparation, Validation & Migration Support

    Execute data cleansing activities in collaboration with business stakeholders, including resolving duplicate, obsolete, or inaccurate data

     Support preparation of data for migration into target systems

     Validate data extracts, transformations, and mappings

      Participate in migration activities, including test cycles and mock migrations, and resolve data discrepancies

Stakeholder Engagement & Delivery Support

     Work directly with business stakeholders to gather requirements, clarify issues, and support resolution of data challenges

    Collaborate with IT teams and external delivery partners (e.g. systems integrators) to investigate and resolve data issues

    Act as a reliable point of contact for data-related queries within defined areas

Data Mapping, Testing & Reporting Awareness

    Support definition and validation of data mapping for integrations and system transitions

     Execute data testing, reconciliation, and validation activities pre- and post-migration

    Understand how data supports reporting and analytics, identifying potential downstream impacts of data changes

Key Deliverables

        Analysed and documented data issues (including cause and impact)

        Contributions to cleansed and migration-ready datasets

        Data validation, testing, and reconciliation outputs

        Data mapping support documentation

        Accurate tracking and progression of data issues

Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

 

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Experience in data analysis within a business or technical environment

Essential

Application/interview

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to investigate and interpret data issues

Essential

Application/interview

Experience working with data tools (e.g. SQL, Excel)

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to communicate data findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Essential

Application/interview

Experience working with stakeholders across business and IT

Essential

Application/interview

Strong attention to detail

 

Essential

Application/interview

Comfortable working with ambiguity while progressing tasks independently

 

Essential

Application/interview

Practical and delivery focused,with an ability to balance analysis with delivery pace

Essential

Application/interview

Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP ECC)

Desirable

Application/interview

Exposure to data migration or transformation programmes

Desirable

Application/interview

Experience with data mapping or integration activities

Desirable

Application/interview

 Familiarity with BI/reporting tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau)

Desirable

Application/interview

Exposure to HR, finance, procurement, or expenses data domains

Desirable

Application/interview

 

Further Information

 

Grade

6

Salary

£32,080 - £36,636 per annum

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

Fixed-term until 31 July 2030

Line manager

SAP Development Team Leader

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility.  Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

 

For informal enquiries about this job, contact Jean Dsouza, SAP Development Team Leader on: j.p.dsouza@sheffield.ac.uk

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, you can contact it-services-recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk

 

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

  • A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • access to menopause support in the workplace
    • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
    • and more


More details can be found on our benefits page:
sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

 

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.