Full Time (37 hrs per week) - Permanent
Location - High Wycombe
Salary - £38,784 - £43,482 per annum
Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That's why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.
Our University's DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.
To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
Data. Insight. Impact.
Buckinghamshire New University is excited to welcome a Senior Returns Analyst to our Statutory Returns Team at a pivotal moment in higher education data. This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled data professional to apply analytical and technical expertise to work that shapes how the University is seen nationally and informs key strategic decisions.
The role
Reporting to the Head of Statutory Returns, you will play a central technical role by:
Tackling complex data quality and reconciliation challenges
Translating internal data into precise external formats
Applying analytical thinking to meet clear statutory deadlines
Creating efficient, repeatable validation and assurance processes
About You
You bring strong analytical skills, experience with complex datasets, and confidence navigating ambiguity. HE experience is welcomed but not essential.
Why Buckinghamshire New University?
You'll join a supportive, collaborative team where your expertise makes a visible difference—and where you'll continue growing your technical and sector knowledge.
What We Offer
a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
training & development support opportunities
contributory pension scheme
discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University's values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Jeremy Dye, Head of Statutory Returns via email at
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU's workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to Jeremy Dye via email at if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
Closing Date:11th March 2026
Interview Date: w/c 23rd March 2026
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Returns Analyst
College/Professional Service: Academic Registry
Grade: G
Location: High Wycombe
Hours: 37
Responsible to: Head of Statutory Returns
Job Purpose
The Senior Returns Analyst plays a key technical role within the Statutory Returns Team, supporting the delivery of accurate, timely, and compliant statutory student data returns. The postholder will focus on data reconciliation, data quality assurance, and complex problem solving, working closely with institutional student and course data to ensure it can be effectively translated into formats that meet HESA specifications and other external requirements.
This role is particularly suited to an experienced data professional with strong analytical and technical skills, who can quickly understand complex data structures, identify issues, and develop robust solutions.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role
Data Quality and Reconciliation
Conduct investigations and identify resolutions for complex data quality issues affecting statutory returns, informed by appropriate rulesets.
Reconcile data across multiple systems (e.g. student records, course data, modules, outcomes) to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Identify root causes of data discrepancies and work with colleagues to implement sustainable fixes.
Develop and maintain reconciliation processes and documentation to support auditability and transparency.
Statutory Returns Support
Support the Statutory Returns Manager in preparing and validating student data returns, including HESA returns.
Translate institutional student and course data into structures and definitions required by statutory data specifications.
Interpret external data requirements and specifications, identifying how internal data maps to these requirements, including keeping up to date with changes to data standards, specifications, and good practice using external networks as appropriate.
Contribute to submission readiness by carrying out detailed validation, sense checking, and exception analysis.
Technical Analysis and Problem Solving
Use advanced data analysis techniques to interrogate large and complex datasets.
Write, review, and optimise SQL queries and other data extraction scripts.
Develop repeatable processes and tools to improve efficiency and reduce manual intervention.
Identify opportunities to improve data flows, supporting the creation and maintenance of data definitions, and data governance practices of the wider University.
Collaboration and Communication
Work closely with colleagues across Business Intelligence, Registry, IT, and other professional services teams to resolve data issues.
Explain complex technical or data-related issues clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
Provide guidance and support to colleagues on data quality best practice.
Contribute to team knowledge-sharing.
Continuous Improvement
Proactively identify risks to data quality and compliance and propose mitigating actions.
Support the development of internal documentation, guidance, and controls related to statutory data.
Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria Only
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
Education, Qualifications & Training
Means of Testing
Educated to Degree or Postgraduate level, or comparable professional qualification, in a related discipline with a Maths, Statistical or technical background, or with equivalent professional experience in a data management and analysis role.
A
CPD training in a regulated data environment (e.g. for Higher Education via HESA or OfS) and across software platforms related to the role (e.g. PowerBI or Alteryx).
A
Knowledge & Experience
Delivering an excellent customer experience.
A/I
Experience working with statutory, regulatory, or externally specified data returns.
A/I
Experience in a regulated data environment.
A/I
Significant experience working in a data-focused role, such as data analysis, business intelligence, reporting, or data quality.
A/I
Experience working with relational databases.
A/I
Proven ability to reconcile complex datasets from multiple sources.
I/T
Experience diagnosing and resolving data quality issues using structured, analytical approaches across multiple integrated systems.
A/I/T
Experience working collaboratively with technical and non-technical colleagues.
I
Skills
Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools.
A/I
High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
A/I
Ability to manage competing priorities and meet fixed deadlines.
I
Strong documentation skills, including the ability to explain technical processes clearly.
I
Ability to communicate complex data issues clearly to a range of audiences using a range of media.
I
Confidence in challenging data issues constructively and proposing solutions.
I
Advanced SQL skills, e.g. complex joins and query optimisation across large relational datasets.
A/I
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently on complex issues.
A/I
Behavioural INDICATORS
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) Is a Framework For All University Staff That Sets Out The Key Behaviours That Exemplify The DRIVE Values And Ethos Of The University. The Nine Categories Provide a Clear Steer On Behavioural Expectations That Will Help Support a Step Change In The Performance And Culture Of The University. The Three Key Behavioural Indicators For This Post Are As Follows
Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
Working together
Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
Achieving results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.