Data Manager
Permanent
Full time
“ Pupils show an acute sense of respect for each other and were unanimous in their belief that diversity is a normal part of life.
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ISI Inspection
ISI Inspection
” Both in and out of class, behaviour is excellent.
HEADMASTER’S WELCOME
Thank you for your interest in the position of Data Manager at the Royal Grammar School Guildford.
The RGS boasts a diverse, vibrant community of individuals in both teaching and support roles who take pride in the success of their School.
The School’s success presents itself in its most recent GCSE and A level results; in the large number of student applications year on year (consistently four applications for every place); the ISI inspection report in which the RGS was rated ‘Excellent’ across all aspects of School life; in the range of sporting achievements and in the staff who are proud to say that they work here.
Our boys are “excellent listeners who contribute to discussion with great respect” and “display excellent attitudes to their learning” (ISI report, February 2022). The academic standards in the School are excellent and the curriculum is enriched by an extensive extra-curricular programme in which all academic staff are expected to participate; sports and the arts are an important element in School life.
The benefits of working here go beyond those listed in the job description; if you accept an offer of employment, you would be joining a staff body that collaborates professionally and socially across all departments.
The RGS is an exciting place in which to be a member of staff; I look forward to receiving an application from you.
HEADMASTER
IT Services
The Department
Our school, with approximately 1300 students and over 300 staff, operates across multiple sites and manages a fleet of 1500 mobile devices, primarily Microsoft Surfaces. The IT Services team is a crucial part of our operations, providing technical support, setting up and supporting presentations and events, delivering training, and conducting maintenance and upgrades.
The Team
You will be joining a close-knit team of ten dedicated professionals in the IT Services department. Our team is diverse, comprising first and second line technicians, systems engineers, and data management professionals. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit and our commitment to providing exceptional IT support across the school.
The Role
As a member of the support staff, you will be part of a large and friendly community of professionals dedicated to enhancing our students' education and overall experience. Our support staff play a vital role in creating a positive and effective learning environment, ensuring that both students and staff have the resources and assistance they need to succeed.
You will work across both of our UK school sites based in Guildford, each with its unique character and needs. This will provide you with a diverse and dynamic work environment, offering varied experiences and opportunities for professional growth. You will collaborate closely with teachers, students, support staff and parents fostering a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere.
By joining our team, you will have the chance to make a meaningful impact on the day-to-day operations of our schools, contributing to the smooth running of IT services and supporting the educational mission of our institution. Your efforts will directly influence the quality of education and the student experience, making your role both rewarding and impactful.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Data Manager
Responsible to: Director of IT
The Data Manager plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity, accessibility, and efficiency of data across all school systems.
This role is responsible for both the day-to-day management of data operations and the proactive analysis of curriculum data to drive informed decision-making. Collaborating closely with the Director of IT and the Assistant Head (Curriculum), the successful candidate will oversee the school’s Management Information System (MIS), system integrations, and data analytics processes.
By ensuring seamless data workflows and leveraging analytics to enhance curriculum development and operational efficiency, this role directly supports the strategic goals of RGS and RGS Prep.
Key Responsibilities
Data Management & Integrity
• Administer, maintain, and optimise the school’s MIS to ensure smooth operation and integration with other platforms.
• Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with GDPR regulations.
• Oversee the integration of external and internal services with the MIS, HR and finance systems to streamline operations.
• Manage the annual academic year data rollover to ensure a seamless transition.
• Support all members of staff with particular focus on student reports, grades and exams.
• Support the Director of IT in all aspects of data governance.
Analytics & Reporting
• Independently produce timely and insightful reports for the Assistant Head (Curriculum), Heads of Departments, and Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
• Develop and maintain reporting dashboards using Microsoft Power BI and similar systems.
• Analyse complex datasets to provide actionable insights for academic and administrative decision-making.
Process Optimisation & Workflow Automation
• Build and document new workflows to enhance efficiency and reduce manual processes.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on MIS functionality, data reporting, and analytics tools.
Project Leadership
• Lead data-related projects, including new system implementations and enhancements to existing platforms.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure continuous improvement in data-driven decision-making.
Key Early Projects
• MIS Review & Optimisation – Support the Director of IT in a comprehensive review of the school’s current MIS to assess effectiveness and explore potential alternatives.
• BI Dashboard Implementation – Work with the Assistant Head (Curriculum) to design and deploy a new Business Intelligence (BI) reporting dashboard for teachers, improving access to key educational insights.
Service Management Responsibilities
• Lead and develop the Assistant Data Manager and support the Help Desk Team in managing data-related service requests.
• Conduct internal service review meetings to assess performance, service improvements, quality, and processes.
• Take ownership of data-related incidents, ensuring effective coordination and resolution with minimal disruption.
• Maintain digital systems supporting key school events such as parents’ evenings, timetabling and reporting cycles.
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
• Excellent mathematical and data analytic skills.
• Ability to generate business insights through data-driven reports and analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Power BI, including data integration and dashboard development.
• Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data modelling.
• Strong experience in managing and analysing complex datasets.
• Proficiency in SQL database management and query writing.
• Excellent communications skills, spoken and written, dealing with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent ability to interpret and present complex data to non-technical audiences.
• Understanding of evaluation methods and their impact on data collection and management.
• Strong general IT proficiency.
• Ability to document workflows clearly and develop streamlined processes.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering high-level customer service.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and work independently.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and meet deadlines in a busy environment.
• Experience managing third-party vendors and service providers.
• Flexibility to provide occasional out-of-hours and weekend support.
Desirable
• Experience using school-specific MIS systems such as Schoolbase, iSAMS, Bromcom or SIMS.
• Proficiency coding Python or similar languages.
• Familiarity with school administration systems and the flow of the academic year.
• Experience integrating Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Power Apps, and other enterprise platforms.
• Previous experience in a similar role within an educational setting, particularly within a large and busy school.
• ITIL certification or equivalent service management experience.
• Strong proficiency with Power Automate and Power Apps.
Additional Requirements
• Occasional travel between school sites within Guildford.
• Flexibility in working hours, including occasional evening and weekend work for large projects or emergency support.
WORKING AT THE RGS
Your career at the RGS begins with a warm welcome and comprehensive induction. You will be introduced to department colleagues, key people within the School and fellow new starters from across the departments.
Opportunities to get involved in wider school activities are many and varied; sporting fixtures, theatre productions and field trips to name just a few. Then there are the social groups set up by and for colleagues which include a running group, book club, theatre trips, football and a wind band. However you choose to get involved, you are guaranteed to find yourself among like-minded individuals.
Abinash Budha
System Engineer, joined 2011
What do you love about your department? Team work, Friendly co-workers, Flexibility.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Cooking, Gardening, Watching movies.
Hasan Naeem
IT Helpdesk Technician, joined 2024
What's the best thing about working at the RGS? The friendliness of both staff and students.
If you could choose any other career, what would it be? Maybe something to do in the aviation/travel sector or a photographer travelling the world.
Sean Comer
Service Delivery Manager, joined 2021
What's the best thing about working at the RGS?
The team I work with. The varied work we do. Working on the High Street.
Which staff social groups are you involved in? Staff football.
BENEFITS
In addition to joining a successful and sociable staff body you will also receive the following benefits:
Hours of work
Remuneration
Fee reduction
Annual Leave
Private healthcare
Pension
Commuting Loan
Full time, 40 hours per week inc. breaks. 08.30 to 16.30 during term time, 08.30 to 15.30 during the school holidays.
Circa £48,000 per annum
Fee reduction for son(s) of staff is available (after a qualifying period and subject to success at the entrance examination).
28 days leave plus bank holidays, the majority to be taken during school holidays.
Private medical cover is available for all staff. This is paid for by the School, but is a taxable benefit so there is an indirect cost to the individual.
All support staff are automatically enrolled into the company pension scheme. The level of contribution by the individual is 5%; the School will contribute 10%.
Interest-free loans are available for rail season ticket holders.
Gym Use of on-site gym at certain times of the day.
Dining
Employee Assistance Programme
A choice of hot lunches, a delicious salad bar and range of desserts are provided daily in the staff dining room during term time.
A free, confidential counselling & wellbeing support service that can support you, your partner or spouse, and dependent children over 16 still living at home.
ABOUT THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL
The RGS is a kind, inclusive, tolerant community where diverse opportunity, personal development, high achievement and collaborative partnership define who we are.
Our values of inclusivity, scholarship, integrity, respect, courage and collaboration underpin all we do.
Boys come to the RGS from around 140 different schools in Surrey and the neighbouring home counties and this number is growing each year. We regularly receive four applications for every place.
The RGS curriculum aims to combine breadth with balance. In the first three years all boys study a broad range of subjects, choosing options at the end of their third year which sees them sitting ten GCSE subjects including English Language, English Literature, a Modern Foreign Language, Mathematics, three separate sciences and a humanities subject. From the Third Form, a Tutor Period is introduced during which boys study Information Technology, Problem Solving, First Aid, Health Education and Study Skills. It is also during this time that initial careers and higher education guidance is given which then continues throughout the boys’ time at the School.
The RGS boasts a thriving Sixth Form with all boys studying four subjects in the Lower Sixth and then continuing with three or four subjects to A Level in the Upper Sixth. This is complemented by a range of General Studies courses which are co-educational, organised jointly with Guildford High School.
All boys are encouraged to engage in independent research and activities throughout their time in the School via our Scholarship for all programme. Whilst not curricular, there is an expectation that staff will support this provision as their experience and expertise enables.
All members of the teaching staff help with co- and extra-curricular activities, of which there is an impressively wide range. Music, Art and Drama all flourish with performances, exhibitions and workshops. There is a well-equipped auditorium, a large Art School and a purpose built Music Department. We have a very active clubs and societies programme that takes place before, during and after school each day. All the Third Form take part in our curricular, weekly expedition and adventure programme, EXAD. We have five Field Days per year and also offer overseas expeditions, a large Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme and numerous sports tours. Staff are invited to attend and support all of these events.
WHY WORK IN GUILDFORD?
Guildford is a vibrant and exciting place in which to live. Rich in history, it is a welcoming town with a flourishing and varied cultural life. Entertainment is diverse with a number of lively and nationally renowned venues including G Live, the Yvonne Arnaud theatre and the eclectic Electric Theatre. There are outstanding sport and leisure facilities which include the state-of-the-art training venues and sports complexes of Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum. Guildford offers one of the south east’s best shopping experiences with the iconic High Street combining exclusive and popular national chains as well as a number of independent retailers. Dining options cater for every taste and budget with local traditional and gastro pubs in nearby Surrey villages drawing customers from a wide area.
Educationally, Guildford is thriving. RGS Guildford and Guildford High School are regularly ranked in the top ten single-sex schools in the country. RGS also enjoys close links with other girls’ schools, Tormead School and St Catherine’s, Bramley. The University of Surrey was awarded ‘University of the Year for Graduate Employment’ by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
Guildford has the advantage of being very accessible and enjoys excellent transport links. London is just over a 30-mile drive via the A3 and well served by trains (just 29 minutes to Clapham Junction and 39 minutes to London Waterloo). International airports London Gatwick and London Heathrow are only 30 minutes from the town.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are close by; the Surrey Hills and North Downs are on the School's doorstep and provide opportunities to enjoy the stunning countryside; the south coast is approximately one hour by car.
William Cobbett “
The town of Guildford, which I, who have seen so many, many towns, think it is the prettiest, and…most happylooking, that I ever saw in my life.
GUILDFORD
The setting:
The Surrey Hills
North Downs
South Downs
Picturesque villages
The south coast
Travel by rail:
Clapham Junction 29 minutes
London Waterloo 39 minutes
Portsmouth Harbour 60 minutes
Gatwick Airport 45 minutes
Travel by road:
London 32 miles via the A3; Heathrow 22 miles; Gatwick 34 miles via A3 and M25; Portsmouth 44 miles; Brighton 59 miles
North Downs
The
Guildford Castle
SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN & SECURITY OF DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
The Royal Grammar School Guildford meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. All applicants who are offered employment will be subject to an enhanced criminal record check from the DBS before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. It is of fundamental importance to The Royal Grammar School to ensure, so far as possible, that those who take up appointments do not pose a risk to the children in its care.
APPLICATIONS
We are proactively committed to creating a diverse staff body, which reflects the community that we teach. At RGS we value diversity and inclusion; we want to attract the best people for the roles available. This is regardless of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs.
Please note: applications will be considered on receipt and we reserve the right to close applications early.
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