Senior Strategic BI Analyst: Student Lifecycle

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics (ISRA) Senior Strategic BI Analyst: Student Lifecycle (Post Level 7) (Stellenbosch Campus) Ref. REC/399/0926 The Division for Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics (ISRA) supports the strategy, planning, projects and decision-making of Stellenbosch University (SU). This post sits in the Integrated Data Analytics (IDA) functional area of ISRA, which turns institutional data into integrated information that strengthens strategic, tactical and operational decision-making across the University. Within IDA, the Student Lifecycle cluster provides analytics across the student journey (enrolment, registration, retention, success and graduation), including cohort tracking and throughput, student dashboards and standard reporting, and enrolment-planning support. The Role The incumbent contributes to student-lifecycle analytics for the University, turning student data into decision-ready insight for faculties, Student Affairs and institutional planning. The incumbent provides technical guidance to Embedded Data Analysts and interns in the cluster and works closely with the Student Success Hub. Duties/Pligte

• Analysing student enrolment, registration, retention, success and graduation data across the student lifecycle, and conducting data investigations for faculties and professional and support (PASS) environments.
• Applying analytical, statistical and data-modelling techniques to produce robust, decision-ready insight.
• Running cohort tracking and throughput analytics with the Student Success Hub and maintaining student tracking models and early-signal indicators of retention and success.
• Building and maintaining interactive student dashboards and reporting models, compiling standard student reports, and operating the ad hoc institutional information service.
• Preparing the student-number forecasts per faculty and qualification type for the institutional enrolment planning process.
• Providing SUNStudent business-analysis support, building and maintaining self-service tools and data-extraction templates, delivering user training and conducting specialist research on student success and retention.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• A qualification in data science, statistics, mathematical science, information systems, analytics, econometrics, or a related quantitative field. Qualification and relevant experience will be considered together: a master's degree (NQF 9) with at least three years' relevant experience, an honours degree or postgraduate diploma (NQF 8) with at least five years' relevant experience, or a bachelor's degree or advanced diploma (NQF 7) with at least seven years' relevant experience.
• Experience in student, institutional, operational or comparable data analytics, with demonstrated experience in lifecycle/cohort analysis, reporting, forecasting and data investigations.
• Experience with SQL, Power BI, Excel and statistical tooling, or equivalent, including data modelling and interactive development.
• Experience working with data from multiple source systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Experience in managing, leading and providing technical and analytical guidance to data analysts or other data professionals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
• The ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with colleagues and teams.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Experience in a higher education or comparably complex institutional environment.
• Familiarity with the University's student information system (SUNStudent) and other institutional source systems and data structures.
• Data warehouse and dimensional modelling experience.
• Knowledge of AI-enabled analytics tools and workflows.
• Proficiency in reading and understanding Afrikaans.

How To Apply/Hoe Om Aansoek Te Doen

#PSS

The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan. Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment. (PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION INCLUDES ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW):

• A comprehensive curriculum vitae, including the names and email addresses of at least three referees
• Certified copies of qualifications and certificates
• A completed online questionnaire: All applicants must complete an online questionnaire that illustrates their understanding of the application of the role and how their experience makes them uniquely qualified for the position. Applicants selected for an interview will also be required to complete psychometric tests before the day of the interview, as well as a practical assessment on the day of the interview.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Your application, comprising of all of the above, must reach the University before or on the closing date in the advertisement. Apply online at https://www.su.ac.za/en/careers-su by clicking "Apply now" at the top to the right of the page for the specific vacancy. Then click ISRA Vacancies 2026 form to complete the online questionnaire. The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful. Enquiries/Navrae Enquiries about this post: Dr Wilhelm Uys on 021 808 4470, or at jwuys@sun.ac.za

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre, on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch) or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za

Currency Commencement Date01-Dec-2026 Closing Date15-Oct-2026 Amount of Travel Work At Home