Senior data analyst

Band 7 · Data analyst · 480 job evaluation points

UK GDaD PCF level: Senior data analyst

Most often performed at Civil Service grade SEO or G7.

A senior data analyst leads data analysis in a team or across an area. They ensure data is appropriately prepared, managed and used, and that data analysis outcomes align with the organisation's goals.
At this role level, you will:
guide others in appropriate practices for preparing, managing and using data
lead the application and improvement of processes and ways of working with data
lead communication of data and data projects with stakeholders, adapting to their needs and requirements

Contains public sector information from the UK Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (https://understand-digital-data-roles-skills.service.gov.uk/), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.

Responsibilities

Lead analysis for a service area, such as urgent care, cancer, or mental health, agreeing priorities with its leaders.
Set methods and quality assurance for the team's analysis, including peer review of code and outputs.
Lead complex linkage projects across care settings and agree their information governance basis.
Present findings to senior clinical and management groups and advise on what they mean for services.
Work with data engineers and data owners to fix the root causes of poor data quality.
Coach and develop analysts in the team.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Applying statistical and analytical tools and techniquesUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: lead the development of valuable statistical insights and reports identify and apply a range of statistical and analytical techniques and tools, and support others in applying them quality assure statistical techniques and analytical outputs across a team engage with stakeholders and share statistical and analytical techniques to increase understanding and trust
Communicating between the technical and non-technicalUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: listen to and interpret the needs of technical and non-technical stakeholders, and manage their expectations manage active and reactive communication support or host difficult discussions within the team or with diverse senior stakeholders
Data ethics and privacyUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: work with stakeholders to identify and address ethical and privacy concerns demonstrate and communicate how data ethical issues fit into the wider organisational context research developments in data ethics and privacy to improve compliance and processes assess and constructively challenge proposed data ethics policies
Data managementUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: advocate for effective data governance and data management policies and guidelines within your team and across your organisation monitor and improve data management practices in your team help define, develop and support the use of data management tools, procedures and methods in compliance with data governance policies
Data preparation and linkageUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: plan the framework of an analytical data model based on appropriate data sources support the implementation of data models using appropriate tools and systems ensure your team understands the importance of data quality and modelling
Data visualisationUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: use a range of data visualisations to simplify a complex story adapt a story to the needs of multidisciplinary stakeholders advise and support others in developing inclusive, accessible data visualisations that recognise different user needs suggest improvements to data visualisation processes and standards to increase efficiency and quality
Delivering business impact through dataUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: lead and support others in using data to deliver business impact define and communicate the scope of the business impact you deliver so the value is clear identify opportunities to develop data products that deliver business impact develop and deliver scalable data products that align to organisational priorities and enable decision making
Developing code for analysisUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: design and implement the analytical approach, including code, using appropriate standards and tests lead collaboration to review and improve analytical approaches, including shared code guide others in producing analytical approach documentation, identifying improvements
Managing a data projectUK GDaD PCF	Practitioner (3)	You can: identify and define a problem statement apply and share project management methodologies, including tools and techniques plan and implement different stages of the data project life cycle communicate progress of data projects with stakeholders adapt teams' ways of working to deliver different project outcomes and requirements
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Practitioner (3)	You can: analyse how a service fits into care pathways across organisations work with clinicians, care staff, and patients to shape digital services explain the effect of digital decisions on care, safety, and staff workload
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Practitioner (3)	You can: lead data protection impact assessments and information sharing agreements advise teams on lawful basis, consent, confidentiality, and retention investigate incidents and recommend improvements
Data quality managementThis reference	Practitioner (3)	You can: define data quality rules and measures work with data providers to fix the root causes of poor quality
Pseudonymisation and disclosure controlThis reference	Practitioner (3)	You can: design pseudonymisation and linkage methods that keep identifiers separate from analysis data assess the re-identification risk of a data set or publication and choose suitable controls advise teams on safe settings, such as trusted research environments
Clinical terminology and classificationThis reference	Working (2)	You can: find and use the right codes for a data item or form use terminology browsers and reference sets
Equality, diversity, and inclusionThis reference	Working (2)	You can: recognise and challenge behaviour that excludes others consider different needs when you plan your work

Typical qualifications and experience

Substantial experience of leading data analysis, at a level equivalent to a master's degree.

Band 7 outline

Knowledge: Highly developed specialist knowledge, typically to master's level or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works to organisational policy; decides how results are achieved; is the expert others consult.
Scope: Several products or services, or a specialist function.
Leadership: Leads a team or a professional practice area.
Accountability: Delivery of a service or specialist function, and its budget if held.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	5	Gives highly complex or contentious information needing developed persuasion and negotiation, presents to large groups, or communicates where there are significant barriers to acceptance.	45
Knowledge, training, and experience	7	Highly developed specialist knowledge across the range of the specialism (master's level or equivalent).	196
Analytical and judgemental skills	4	Judgements on complex facts or situations needing analysis, interpretation, and comparison of options.	42
Planning and organisational skills	3	Plans several complex activities, adjusting plans as needed.	27
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	3	Implements policies for own area and proposes changes that affect other areas.	21
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	1	Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.	5
Responsibility for people	2	Supervises or coordinates staff day to day, trains others regularly, or gives basic HR advice.	12
Responsibility for information resources	4	Adapts or designs information systems to others' specifications, or runs information systems for a department as the main duty.	24
Responsibility for research and development	2	Regularly does research, development, trials, or equipment and system testing as part of the job.	12
Freedom to act	4	Results are defined, but the job holder decides how to achieve them, within broad policy.	32
Physical effort	1	Sitting, standing, and walking, with little physical effort.	3
Mental effort	4	Frequent prolonged concentration, or occasional intense concentration.	18
Emotional effort	1	Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	5
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 7: 466 to 539)			480