Senior Strategic BI and Business Analyst

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics (ISRA) Senior Strategic BI and Business Analyst (Post Level 7) (Stellenbosch Campus) Ref. REC/400/0926 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 Data Platform and Engineering cluster builds and maintains the University's business intelligence platform, its reporting models and data pipelines, and performs the business analysis that keeps them fit for purpose. The Role The incumbent develops and maintains the University's BI platform and acts as the bridge between the business and the engineering team, translating institutional information needs into reliable, well-tested BI solutions. Duties/Pligte

• Developing and maintaining the University's BI platform and its reporting models, working with ICT and the Software and Systems Engineer.
• Analysing source data, gathering and documenting requirements, compiling functional specifications, and translating business needs into technical BI solutions.
• Testing completed developments and validating data accuracy before deployment, acting as the quality check between engineering and the business.
• Developing training materials and data glossaries to enable self-service and communicate changes to data models, and reporting tools to super users.
• Contributing specialist research on BI platform developments, data-visualisation best practice and analytics tooling, and maintaining proficiency across the IDA knowledge base.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• A qualification in data engineering, computer science, information systems, business intelligence, statistics, or a related 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.
• Strong business-analysis skills, including requirements gathering, and translating business needs into technical solutions.
• Strong technical skills in Excel, SQL and Power BI, and data-engineering quality assurance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Strong stakeholder relationship skills, with a focus on understanding and addressing stakeholders needs.
• The ability to analyse information and present clear, structured conclusions verbally and in writing.
• Strong document management and information accessibility skills.
• The ability to assess information, consider implications and make timely decisions.
• The ability to develop training materials and deliver engaging, collaborative training.
• 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 institutional source systems such as student information systems or comparable enterprise systems.
• 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