Data & Analytics Lead

Deadline for applications: Sunday 27th September 2026 at 10pm

Job Role: Data & Analytics Lead, East Midlands Regional Care Cooperative (RCC)

Salary & Benefits: £55,000–£65,000 a year, 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, generous pension scheme, hybrid working arrangements. Secondment arrangements may differ.

Start date: November 2026

Contract type: Fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity until 31st March 2028, with continuation subject to funding and approval. Any secondment arrangement will be subject to agreement with the successful candidate's current employer.

Basis: Full time (37.5 hours)

Employment location: The role will be based in Leicester, with hybrid working and regular travel across the East Midlands.

Job category: Data and analytics, business intelligence, performance, forecasting, children's social care and strategic commissioning.

Host organisation: RCC roles will be hosted by SDSA Leicester on behalf of the East Midlands local authorities.

Help shape the future of children’s care, regional sufficiency and collaborative commissioning across the East Midlands. The East Midlands is creating one of the country’s new Regional Care Co-operatives (RCCs) – a major public sector reform programme covering all ten upper-tier local authorities, bringing together regional commissioning, sufficiency planning, fostering development, market engagement, data and improvement activity through a powerful new collaborative model.

Role Overview

The RCC Data and Analytics Lead will lead the development of the East Midlands RCC’s regional data, analytics and intelligence function, helping partners understand demand, improve sufficiency and make better decisions for children.

Data and intelligence will sit at the core of the RCC’s ability to improve sufficiency, anticipate demand and make better decisions for children. The role will bring together data from across the region, develop forecasting and reporting, and turn complex information into clear strategic insight for commissioning, fostering and improvement activity.

Key Responsibilities

  • Regional data and intelligence: Develop shared regional datasets, dashboards and analytical products, and translate complex analysis into clear, practical insight for senior leaders, commissioners and partners.
  • Forecasting and sufficiency: Lead demand forecasting, cohort analysis and modelling to identify emerging needs, placement pressures and provision gaps, supporting the Regional Sufficiency Strategy and commissioning priorities.
  • Performance and reporting: Develop the RCC performance framework and reporting arrangements, coordinate accurate and timely statutory information and DfE returns, and provide actionable insight on delivery, outcomes and risks.
  • Data systems, governance and partnerships: Lead the specification and continuous improvement of regional data systems and dashboards, ensure data is managed securely and lawfully, and build strong relationships across local authorities, providers, health and youth justice.

How to Apply

For more details about the role download the application pack. Please apply by submitting the following three documents to jobs@sdsa.net:

  • CV – including an explanation of any gaps in employment.
  • Supporting statement – a maximum of two sides of A4 demonstrating how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the requirements set out in the application pack.
  • Application form – a short form which captures your contact details, references and equal opportunities information. The form is available to download above.

Closing date: Sunday 27th September 2026 at 10pm

Successful applicants contacted: By Friday 2nd October 2026

Interviews held: Week commencing 5th October 2026, at the SDSA Office in Leicester City Centre

All applications will be acknowledged via email within 48 hours of receipt. If you have not received confirmation within this time, please call 0116 299 5942.