Head of Business Intelligence

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Head of Business Intelligence

Application Deadline: 4 June 2026

Department: Social Surveys

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London (Hybrid)

Reporting To: Alexia Bencini

Description

Head of Business Intelligence

Competitive (depending on experience)

London or Ashton Gate | Hybrid

Full time | Permanent

Role details

• Location: London or Ashton Gate (Hybrid - 2 days minimum in the local office, flexible across both locations)
• Reporting to: Director of Data Services
• Team: Data Services, leading a brand-new Business Intelligence function with scope to add BI analyst support

NatCen is building a modern, cloud-based data and reporting capability and is looking for a Head of Business Intelligence to lead the next phase of that journey. This is a newly created role with real scope to shape how business intelligence works across the organisation from the ground up.

You will help NatCen move from an environment where data can feel hard to access and reporting can be inconsistent, to one where information is trusted, usable and easier to consume for decision-making. This role is central to building a more data-driven culture across the organisation.

Working alongside the data engineering team, you will own the reporting and BI layer, establish governance and standards, and help make data accessible across Finance, Field, Research and senior leadership. This is a high-impact role with strong sponsorship from leadership and the chance to build a BI function in the right way from the start.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and evolve NatCen's BI roadmap so reporting priorities are clear, realistic and aligned to organisational value.
• Build trusted BI foundations by establishing governance, definitions, metrics and reporting standards that teams can use consistently.
• Work closely with stakeholders to understand what they really need from data and reporting, rather than simply delivering what has been requested.
• Partner with data engineering colleagues so BI needs are well served as the Databricks-based platform develops.
• Shape reporting layers and Power BI outputs that make information accessible to non-technical users.
• Lead the shift towards stronger BI adoption, better data literacy and more confident data-driven decision-making across NatCen.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Strong hands-on Power BI experience, including dashboards, data models and user-facing reporting.
• Significant experience leading or managing Business Intelligence or organisational reporting in a complex environment.
• Experience with modern cloud data platforms such as Databricks, Azure or SQL-based analytics.
• Experience establishing reporting standards, definitions and light-touch data governance.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work confidently across Finance, Field, Research, Data Services and senior leadership.
• A pragmatic and commercially aware approach, balancing quick delivery with longer-term foundations.
• Experience improving BI adoption and helping organisations become more data-led.

Job Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, attractive bonus structure and excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:

• 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) increasing to 30 days with 3 years service and flexible working
• Generous company pension scheme
• Life insurance and health cash plan
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
• Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts

About the National Centre for Social Research

At The National Centre for Social Research, we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people's lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. And as an independent, not-for-profit organisation we're able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients' needs and delivering social research that works for society.

Our Values & Behaviours

We Are Curious

• Uses data to improve field performance and delivery
• Explores new approaches to workforce management

We Move with Purpose

• Drives delivery against operational targets
• Aligns workforce planning to demand

We Act with Integrity

• Ensures fair and compliant field practices
• Maintains quality and ethical standards

We are proud to say we are a Disability Confident Committed Employer, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during the interview process please make us aware and we will endeavor to support you to help you showcase your best self during our hiring process.