This is an exciting opportunity to join The Christie’s Clinical Outcomes and Data Unit (CODU) as an Analytics Specialist with Data Science. Along with Analytics, Data Science and Statistics (ADSS) colleagues, you will provide dedicated support for the exciting new development of the Trust’s Joint Analytics for Cancer (JAC) data platform and Future Christie digital ambitions, working closely with data engineering colleagues, supporting data mapping, data cataloguing and data quality improvement, utilising NLP and machine learning methods to help deliver the JAC and Future Christie 5 year plan.
As a data expert, you will interpret information from multiple health care systems providing advice on best approaches for data utilisation and explaining technical data aspects to non‑data experts.
When completing your application please ensure you have read the attached job description and clearly evidence how you meet the essential and desirable criteria that are indicated as being assessed via the application form – short‑listing will be based on this evidence and you will also be asked about these should you be shortlisted for interview. After all applications have been reviewed, those applicants who have been shortlisted will be assessed via a two‑stage interview process. First round of interviews will be virtual and involve a technical test.
The second round will be an in‑person interview held at our Withington site, a virtual option will not be offered for the second round.
Main duties of the job
Being the lead analyst assigned to support the JAC and Future Christie deliverables:
- Providing analytical insight and guidance to aid complex decision making.
- Working with DE colleagues on mapping, cataloguing and data quality evaluation and reporting.
- Investigating outliers and data quality issues.
- Generating data quality reports and advising on the implications of poor data quality.
- Providing data and analytical expertise to inform the procurement of the new JAC data platform.
- Designing and producing dashboards and statistical reports, incorporating data science tools and techniques where appropriate.
- Presenting findings and analytical products to a wide range of audiences (technical and non‑technical), including methodologies and recommendations where appropriate.
- Identifying the most applicable techniques and variables to meet the project’s needs, investigating conflicting information.
- Completing project documentation and delivering projects to agreed specifications.
- Working as part of the ADSS team of analytics specialists to manage data and statistical/data science requests; triaging, prioritising and delegating requests.
- Recommending and leading on delivering improvements in reporting, software or other systems, particularly where the improvements contribute to the performance of the system or accuracy of data.
- Being an expert in the Trust’s reporting requirements and supporting this function – identifying and leading on opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy of reporting.
- Leading on key projects with data engineering to improve the data repository, escalating where changes may impact on analyst products.
- Testing own work and peer‑reviewing team member’s work.
- Prioritising and planning own work appropriately.
- Exploring and staying up to date with various analytics and data science techniques, advising on those optimal for the purpose and to improve own work area.
- Contacting customers and digital colleagues, dealing with issues associated with access to data – delivering bad news to customers and stakeholders when necessary, suggesting alternative approaches, providing support to reduce data quality issues, and acting as point of escalation.
- Using various software to provide data insight tools using appropriate analytical techniques – acting as an expert at understanding problems and utilising these tools.
- Maintaining exceptional attention to detail to help ensure high quality and efficient new processes are implemented to improve CODU functions.
- Working closely with other teams in digital services (software development, data engineering) to understand cross‑over work streams and potential implications.
- Being continuously aware of changes to working practices for colleagues across the Trust and ensuring that products are amended to reflect these changes and meet stakeholders’ expectations.
- Managing the direct day‑to‑day line management of data scientists, analysts and senior analysts.
- Demonstrating the agreed set of values and being accountable for own attitude and behaviour.
Working for our organisation
This is a hybrid role: the position will be based on site full time initially, transitioning to working from home up to three days a week once the candidate is settled into the role.
The team values a customer‑facing service; we collaborate with all members of the organisation – Executives, consultants, administrative staff and service users. We pride ourselves on our level of service, quality of product and our ability to communicate and translate data into intelligence. We work closely with stakeholders to ensure we deliver what they want, communicating complex analytics to wide audiences and striving to make our products as interesting and informative as possible. We are forward‑thinking, eager to try new approaches and find innovative solutions to long‑standing problems. We enjoy challenges, learning new skills and widening our horizons whenever possible.
The hybrid working model requires presence at site minimum two days a week, with flexibility to work from home up to three days a week. We encourage flexible working and meet at the office one day a week to share ideas, troubleshoot and learn from each other. Contacts are readily available via Teams for both formal meetings and informal chats.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will lead and manage the following:
- Provide analytical insight and guidance to aid complex decision making.
- Collaborate with DE colleagues on mapping, cataloguing, data quality evaluation and reporting.
- Investigate outliers and data quality issues.
- Generate data quality reports and advise on the implications of poor data quality.
- Provide data and analytical expertise to inform procurement of the new JAC data platform.
- Provide insight into the impact and resources needed for the transition to the new platform, ensuring CODU and ADSS needs are fully considered and met.
- Design and produce dashboards and statistical reports incorporating data science tools and techniques where appropriate.
- Present findings and analytical products to a wide range of audiences – technical and non‑technical – with appropriate methodologies and recommendations.
- Identify the most applicable techniques and variables to meet project needs, investigating conflicting information.
- Complete project documentation and deliver projects to agreed specifications.
- Manage data and statistical/data science requests, triaging, prioritising and delegating where necessary.
- Lead and recommend improvements in reporting, software or other systems to improve performance and data accuracy.
- Be an expert in the Trust’s reporting requirements and lead opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy of reporting.
- Lead key projects with data engineering to improve the data repository and raise changes impacting analyst products.
- Test own work and peer‑review work of team members.
- Prioritise and plan own work appropriately.
- Explore and stay up‑to‑date with analytics and data science techniques, advising on those optimal for the purpose.
- Contact customers and digital colleagues, dealing with issues around data access; deliver bad news when necessary, suggest alternatives and provide support to reduce data quality issues – acting as point of escalation.
- Act as an expert in using analytical tools and techniques to provide data insight.
- Help ensure high quality and efficient new processes are implemented to improve CODU functions.
- Work closely with other digital services teams (software development, data engineering) to understand cross‑over work streams and potential implications.
- Stay aware of changes to working practices for colleagues across the Trust, ensuring products reflect changes and meet stakeholder expectations.
- Manage the direct day‑to‑day line management of data scientists, analysts and senior analysts.
- Demonstrate the agreed set of values and be accountable for personal attitude and behaviour.
Person specification
Qualifications
- Postgraduate level of education in an informatics, scientific or mathematical discipline.
- Evidence of formal statistical training.
- Able to demonstrate ongoing commitment to personal development.
- Database/dataflow/reporting practitioner certificates, e.g. SQL, Microsoft server tools.
- PRINCE2 Foundation or equivalent project management certification.
Experience
- Extensive experience in an analytics/data science role involving analysis and visualisation of complex data to inform decision making.
- Extensive experience of querying complex relational databases, preferably with SQL Server Management Studio.
- Experience utilising appropriate advanced analytical skills and statistical techniques to extract insights.
- Experience and demonstrable advanced skills in programming languages to query data, extract insights and solve problems using data (e.g. Python, R).
- Experience using data visualisation tools/software (e.g. Tableau, PowerBI, Shiny).
- Experience of data quality / data integrity monitoring and improvement.
- Experience of successfully managing several equally important tasks.
- Experience of a senior or lead role within a project.
- NHS experience involving close working relationships with senior managers, clinicians and multidisciplinary environment.
- Experience of managing a data and analytics service to requestors, including supporting staff and their associated workload.
Skills
- Ability to manage workload across a team and appraise work of others.
- Ability to influence working practices to improve efficiency and quality of outputs.
- Ability to think creatively and problem‑solve.
- Able to negotiate and then work to deadlines, prioritising and managing workload in a busy and changing environment.
- Ability to communicate complex system and technical issues to a variety of staff at different levels within the organisation.
- Excellent communication skills – verbal, written, presentational and interpersonal.
- Advanced Tableau skills.
Knowledge
- Understanding of information governance approaches and policies.
- In‑depth knowledge of NHS data definitions.
Values
- Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.
Other
- Hybrid/Office based role – post holder will be expected to be on site 2 days a week.
- Able to maintain confidentiality relating to patient data and sensitive information relating to the business of the Trust.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet key deadlines and core service coverage.
The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.
Application Information – If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.
Sponsorship Information – We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and requirements on the government website.
Pre‑Employment Checks – To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre‑employment checks in line with NHS Employment Check Standards. These include:
- Identity verification
- Right to work check
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role, payment of this will be the applicant’s responsibility)
- Professional registration and/or qualification check
- Occupational health assessment
- Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will be used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
If You're Offered the Role - you will be agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email. Please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
We have a No Smoking Policy: employees are not permitted to smoke at work.
We welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit. We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce and fostering inclusion and tackling inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all our activities. We have a zero‑tolerance approach to modern slavery in any of its forms, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. We are fully committed to acting ethically and with transparency in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our organisation or supply chains.
