Head of Data, Analytics & Reporting

Head of Data, Analytics & Reporting
Home-based
Full Time, Permanent   
Band 3 / £59,550 Fixed Annual Salary 

Here at Serco, we’re looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Data, Analytics & Reporting to join our Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract (AASC) leadership team.

Reporting to the Operations Director, you will lead the development and delivery of a robust data, analytics, and reporting capability that enables informed decision-making, drives operational excellence, and supports continuous improvement across one of the UK's largest and most complex public service contracts.

This is a senior role responsible for transforming data into actionable insight, shaping strategic direction, and embedding a data-driven culture across the contract.

As Head of Data, Analytics & Reporting, you will be accountable for delivering critical management information (MI), business intelligence, analytics, and reporting solutions to internal stakeholders, operational leaders, and external partners. You will lead a team of analysts and data specialists, ensuring the timely delivery of accurate and meaningful reporting while driving innovation through automation, digital transformation, and advanced analytics.

Working closely with the Contract Leadership Team (CLT), Senior Management Team (SMT), Serco Group functions, technology teams, and external stakeholders, you will identify opportunities to enhance performance through improved data quality, insight generation, forecasting, and reporting capabilities.

As part of this you’ll:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the AASC Data, Analytics & Reporting Strategy, driving a data-led culture across the contract.
• Deliver accurate, timely, and insightful management information, reporting, forecasting, and business intelligence to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Oversee the design, development, and automation of reporting, dashboards, and analytical solutions, working closely with technology and business stakeholders.
• Translate complex business requirements into innovative data and analytics solutions that improve performance, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Lead the analysis of operational and historical data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and actionable insights that drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure robust data governance, data quality, reporting standards, and compliance across all reporting outputs and analytical tools.
• Identify and implement new data sources, technologies, and reporting capabilities to enhance business intelligence and analytical maturity.
• Lead large-scale analytics, transformation, and continuous improvement projects, ensuring effective delivery from design through to implementation.
• Establish and maintain standardised processes, operating procedures, documentation, and governance frameworks across the analytics function.
• Support system and technology development initiatives to ensure data integrity, consistency, and effective reporting capabilities.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing analytics team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-engagement culture.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, operational teams, clients, and external partners to understand business challenges and shape data-driven solutions.
• Act as a trusted subject matter expert, providing coaching, guidance, and support to improve data literacy and self-service reporting capabilities across the organisation.
• Communicate complex analytical findings through clear, engaging, and impactful reports, presentations, and executive briefings tailored to a range of audiences.

What you’ll need to do the role:

• Significant experience in a senior data, analytics, business intelligence, or reporting leadership role within a complex, fast-paced operational environment.
• Proven track record of delivering data-led business improvements, digital transformation initiatives, and large-scale analytical projects that drive measurable business outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in building, leading, and developing high-performing analytics teams while embedding a data-driven culture across an organisation.
• Strong expertise in data analytics, business intelligence, forecasting, statistical analysis, performance reporting, and insight generation.
• Experience designing and delivering reporting and dashboard solutions using Power BI or similar business intelligence platforms.
• Advanced SQL skills and experience working with large, complex datasets from multiple sources.
• Strong understanding of data governance, data quality frameworks, information management principles, and data protection requirements.
• Knowledge of analytical and statistical tools such as Minitab or equivalent, with the ability to translate complex data into meaningful business insights.
• Experience working closely with technology teams and a strong understanding of the relationship between business processes, systems, and data solutions.
• Experience operating within Agile environments and managing multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines effectively.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage audiences at all levels.
• A strategic and commercially focused mindset, combined with strong problem-solving, decision-making, and continuous improvement capabilities.
• Resilient, proactive, and accountable, with a passion for developing people and driving high performance.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification (or working towards certification).
• Ability to obtain and maintain BPSS and Home Office CTC/SC clearance, with a UK address history covering the previous five years.

What we offer:

• Company car
• Private healthcare
• Bonus scheme of 5% on target
• Flexible working considered
• Pension – 6%
• Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Simply Health Cash Plans, and more.
• A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco.
• A safe and supportive culture.

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services.  We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.  For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
 

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.