"Senior Principal Data Analyst"

About This Opportunity

This opportunity is ideal for someone with a social research background and strong analytical skills who enjoys turning data into insights to help solve complex problems. This position provides capacity in data analytics, reporting, modelling and visualisation to support the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. The role includes integration and interrogation of complex institutional datasets (regarding people, finance, education, research) to produce clear insights that inform decisions and advance strategic priorities.

This position will work closely with central Planning and Business Intelligence, as well as colleagues across the faculty and central portfolios, requiring the ability to partner effectively with data experts and non-specialists. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential to translate complex analysis into clear, actionable information for decision makers.

Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Provide advanced data analytics, reporting and visualisation to support data-driven, evidence-based strategic and operational decision-making.
• Extract and integrate data from disparate sources, combining and restructuring information to meet Faculty needs.
• Work collaboratively with central Planning and Business Intelligence to ensure alignment of data methods, standards, and reporting approaches.
• Engage proactively with central and faculty colleagues, including both data specialists and non-specialists, to understand information needs and deliver tailored, fit for purpose analytical solutions.
• Communicate complex analytical findings clearly and logically to support senior leaders, executive sponsors and operational teams in scenario modelling and evidence‑based decision making.
• Build workflows using common software and University systems, such as UQ’s Reportal, Power BI, and custom tools (e.g. Python).
• Lead and contribute to improvements in data processes, tools and capability, identifying opportunities to enhance data quality, efficiency, and faculty‑wide data literacy.
• Problem solve day-to-day issues by exercising independent judgement and applying previous experience to new situations. Note that issues will, at times, be abstract and complex and require conceptual creative thinking and clear communication.

The position reports to the Senior Manager, Strategic Operations in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave
• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Postgraduate qualifications or progress towards relevant postgraduate
• Ability to formulate, test, and refine hypotheses; define analytical problems; and identify key questions within a broader organisational context.
• Strong data analytical skills with experience turning data into insights and actionable recommendations, including:
  • compiling, manipulating, and analysing complex administrative datasets using reporting tools such as SAP BusinessObjects (or similar)
  • applying quantitative data analysis techniques, including modelling, statistical analysis and data visualisation
  • using statistical and analytical software such as SPSS, Stata, Excel, Python, R or similar.
• Demonstrated understanding of the development and implementation of performance indicator frameworks.
• Strong organisation and self-management skills, with a demonstrated ability to establish work priorities, meet deadlines, manage projects, work independently and take responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging internal and external stakeholders, providing advice and negotiating to achieve outcomes.
• Understanding of the university environment and current trends in the higher education sector is desirable.
• Competency in SAP BusinessObjects is well-regarded.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume
• Cover letter addressing Selection Criteria (maximum 1 page)

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close 16 April 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-61502).

Full-time, permanent position. Base salary will be in the range $117,958 - $132,247 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 8). Based at our Herston Campus.