We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!
We’re looking for a Data Operations BI Developer to join us on an 18 month fixed term contract.
In this role you'll maintain and monitor the performance of our data warehouse and associated Management Information. You’ll develop new processes and enhance existing ones to ensure accurate ad‑hoc data and timely BAU reporting for the business. You will also support the wider 1st Central Group by analysing trends and enabling informed day‑to‑day and ad‑hoc decision‑making across business areas.
You’ll design, create and maintain reports, visualisations and dashboards that enable better use and wider consumption of 1st Central’s data. With an evolving, ever-changing business model, this role will be pivotal in collaborating with Data Consumers across the business to gather and populate data warehouse table structures to support optimising our reporting function with a focus on cloud data technologies.
The successful Data Operations BI Developer will be a self-starter with a strong reporting experience, looking to build on their extensive skills and experience in a dynamic and demanding team environment. You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day delivery and will contribute to the long-term strategy of the data and reporting estate ensuring strategic change and BAU change is delivered on time and cost, engaging with various dev teams, business teams and senior stakeholders. Leading in the areas of solutions design, code development, visualisation, business intelligence, cross-team communication, project management and application maintenance, you’ll have a real opportunity to make a difference and further enhance your skills. This is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation that highly values its data and its people.
This is a flexible hybrid role, with occasional visits to our offices in Salford Quays (Manchester) or Haywards Heath (West Sussex) when required. For those based further afield, we also welcome applications from remote UK‑based workers. We offer excellent flexibility in working patterns and a company‑wide culture you can be proud to be part of.
Core skills we’re looking for to succeed in the role:
Data & Analytics: Strong skills in PySpark, Python, SQL, Power BI and SAS
Cloud & Technology: Solid experience in cloud data technologies, preferably Azure with strong general IT skills
Problem Solving & Delivery: Ability to work on own initiative with strong problem‑solving skills, particularly in developing efficient BI solutions
Methodologies & Frameworks: Understanding or experience of Agile, Waterfall, and Software Development Life Cycles (desirable)
What’s involved:
- You’ll produce timely and accurate information and reports for management decision-making purposes
- You’ll maintain SAS & SQL queries and Power BI Dashboards that can be utilised within the BI environments
- You’ll liaise with other departments to understand their requirements from the systems and BI reports, particularly in relation to live issues
- You’ll assist in the identification of root causes and fixes for major incidents where required
- You’ll create and update technical documentation and follow business processes
- You’ll work closely and engage directly with the business when needed for requirements gathering
- You’ll participate in designing system data models, data integrations and automated data management solutions.
- You’ll performance monitor the data and reporting platforms
- You’ll identify and feedback any potential improvements to new and existing reporting BI solutions
- You’ll facilitate knowledge sharing and engage effectively with third party providers
- You’ll work effectively within the Data Governance and Data Quality Frameworks
- You’ll ensure compliance with company and other relevant standards / regulations at all times (Including TCF)
- You’ll adhere to all development and operational processes and standards within the team, identifying and proposing opportunities for improvement where appropriate
Experience & knowledge
- Expert in data reporting and visualisation using Power BI with strong query and DAX skills
- Extensively familiar with ETL (Extraction, Transformation & Load), data warehousing and business intelligence tools
- Strong programming experience is required, particularly SQL
- SAS Enterprise BI development tools (OLAP Cube Studio, Web Report Studio, Information Map Studio, Web Portal etc.) and knowledge of the SAS programming language is desirable
- Experience in Microsoft data components including Azure Analysis Services & Azure SQL Data Warehouse (Synapse Analytics)
- Working with a customer focus within a commercial environment
- Experience of working with large data sets in an enterprise environment
- Insurance or Financial services background desirable
- Good experience of motor insurance products desirable
- Experienced working in a structured development environment (preferably Agile)
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to adopt a logical approach to solving problems
- Data exploration, cleansing and preparation
- Good general insurance knowledge desirable
- Strong knowledge of data structures and operational data sources
- Knowledge of Data Warehousing principles
- Understanding of the metrics used to analyse motor insurance
- Knowledge of FCA requirements (including TCF)
- An understanding of software development lifecycles
- Experience of testing tools and performance monitoring
Skills & Qualifications
- Excellent SQL and Power BI skills
- SAS programming skills desirable
- Solid experience in cloud data technologies preferably Azure
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Problem solving skills, especially the ability to develop efficient solutions to BI problems
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
- An understanding or experience of Agile, Waterfall and Software Development Life Cycles is desirable
- Strong IT skills
- Mathematical, Statistical or Computing qualification desirable
- Microsoft Certified qualifications desirable
Behaviours
- An organised and pro-active approach
- Logical thinker with solid reasoning ability
- Commercially and operationally focussed
- Embrace, embed and incorporate the Company Values
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- A flexible approach and positive attitude
- Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy
- Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business
We’re seeking candidates with strong SAS, PySpark, Python and SQL expertise, if that sounds like you, apply today to explore this exciting opportunity.
What can we do for you?
People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here.
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.
