Senior Data Analyst

Senior Data Analyst

Place of Work: Liverpool

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts. Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.

About the role

In your role as Senior Data Analyst, you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to support the successful delivery of the HRIS system transformation programme. Working across HR, Technology and Data Governance workstreams, the role will lead analytical activity to ensure high quality data modelling, data frameworks, data validation and data migration processes are delivered. This role is critical to aligning the HRIS replacement with the wider organisational Data Governance programme, supporting the development of a robust and future ready HR data landscape.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the HR team you will be responsible for:

• Data Analysis & Requirements
• Analyse the current data landscape, mapping data sources, transformations and uses of data across the lifecycle.
• Translate business requirements, complex business processes and disparate data silos into data specifications, representing the data needs of the HR team and the downstream consumers of data.
• Partner with Data Governance leads to define data ownership, stewardship and quality rules.
• Support RFP processes, assessing prospective vendors based upon USS’s data needs.
• Support the creation and maintenance of data dictionaries, business glossaries and metadata standards.
• Partner with the Data Architect to support the development of conceptual, logical and physical data models for HR data domains to support HRIS design and integration.
• Undertake all data activities in accordance with the requirements of the internal data governance and information security frameworks, and USS’s regulatory obligations.
• Data Quality, Validation & Controls
• Lead the development of data validation rules and quality checkpoints across all HR data sets.
• Conduct data profiling, data audits and integrity checks to identify risks, gaps and anomalies.
• Recommend remediation actions to improve data accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
• Support identification and documentation of critical data elements and associated quality thresholds.
• Data Migration (HRIS Replacement Programme)
• Work closely with HRIS vendors, Head of HR Operations & Transformation and technology teams to design and execute data migration plans.
• Define transformation rules and mapping specifications from legacy HR systems to new technologies.
• Support migration testing cycles (SIT, UAT, parallel runs), including reconciliation of migrated data.
• Ensure data migration activity aligns with the AS IS data landscape and target state design.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
• Work across HR, Technology, Programme Management, and Data Oversight to ensure cohesive data approaches.
• Translate complex data concepts into clear, business friendly insights and documentation.
• Support workshops on data structures, data ownership, definitions, and requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise to HR workstreams including HR Ops, Payroll, Reward, Resourcing, Learning and HRBP functions.
• Reporting & Insight Enablement
• Contribute to the development of scalable, accurate data structures enabling future HR reporting and analytics.
• Ensure HRIS design and data models support strategic reporting needs (e.g., workforce, payroll, reward, talent, EDI).
• Support transitioning reporting logic from legacy tools (e.g., iTrent, Focuss, OMNI, SharePoint, Excel/PowerBI).

About you

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.

To be successful in the role you will have:

• Experience working as a Senior Data Analyst, with an excellent understanding of HR data, best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Operated in a similar role on HRIS system transformation programmes.
• Knowledge of data modelling practices, including conceptual and logical model creation.
• Proven experience in data migration for large scale HR or ERP systems.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and data validation skills.
• Familiarity with data governance principles (data ownership, stewardship, data quality).
• Ability to produce clear documentation and communicate complex concepts with non technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency with analytical and data tools (e.g., SQL, Excel, PowerBI).
• An understanding of modern data warehouses, data lakes and data lakehouses would be beneficial.

Why join us?

At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families. We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development. We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team. Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits!

How we will reward you

Great starting salary

Generous annual leave package

Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme

Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)

Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing

Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership

Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent

Employee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and live

Cycle to Work Scheme

Our culture and values

Our people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves. Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them ‘front and centre’ of what we do. This is embedded through our values: Integrity Collaboration Excellence

About us

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and other higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for almost 577,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest private defined benefit pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £76.8bn (at 31 March 2025). To find out more, please visit

USSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent. We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey please let us know by contacting resourcing@uss.co.uk.