SAP Analytics & Reporting Lead

SAP Analytics & Reporting Lead

Initial 3 month contract 

Outside IR35 - Market Rate

Hybrid - working from home 3 days per week, in office 2 days per week

Overall purpose of the role

The role will define and deliver the SAP Futures Reporting & Analytics Strategy. It covers two layers: operational, in-application reporting (S/4HANA Embedded Analytics and Fiori drill-down reporting, SuccessFactors People Analytics, Concur Intelligence and SAP Analytics Cloud), and enterprise analytics, where SAP and non-SAP data is brought together through DMU’s Strategic Data Platform and surfaced via Microsoft Fabric and Power BI. A central question for the role is DMU’s approach to blended reporting across multiple systems, delivering trusted data, consistent KPIs and a single version of the truth. The guiding principle is standard SAP first, embedded analytics where possible, enterprise analytics where necessary, and bespoke reporting by exception.

Main duties and responsibilities

Reporting & analytics strategy

Define, document and gain sign-off for the SAP Futures Reporting & Analytics Strategy across S/4HANA, SuccessFactors and Concur, aligned to DMU’s enterprise data and analytics principles and preferred technologies.
Produce a requirements and gap assessment, target reporting architecture, governance and ownership model, and a phased delivery roadmap aligned to programme milestones.
Set clear decision rules for where each reporting need is met: embedded SAP analytics, SAP Analytics Cloud, or the enterprise platform (Fabric/Power BI).
Take architectural decisions through the Technical Review Board and relevant design authorities, working with Enterprise Architecture.
Enterprise analytics (Azure / Microsoft Fabric)

Work with the DMU Data team and Enterprise Architecture to define how SAP data enters the Strategic Data Platform and is surfaced through Microsoft Fabric and Power BI for cross-system, institutional reporting.
Define the pattern for blended SAP and non-SAP reporting (including Student and other university systems), covering data models, shared KPIs and master/reference data alignment.
Assess extraction options from SAP into the Azure data estate, including SAP Datasphere/Business Data Cloud and Databricks, and a supported replacement for the current CDS view/CDC extraction route, covering licensing, capacity consumption, egress cost and supportability.
Operational and drill-down reporting (Fiori / embedded)

Define the approach for operational reporting within SAP, making maximum use of standard S/4HANA Embedded Analytics, Fiori analytical apps and CDS views for drill-down and drill-through reporting.
Shape Finance management reporting, financial statements, KPIs and dashboards with Finance, and people reporting through SuccessFactors People Analytics with People Services.
Define the role of SAP Analytics Cloud for dashboards and executive reporting, and clarify whether SAC Planning forms part of the future planning approach.
Cover Concur reporting via Concur Intelligence, and how expense data feeds Finance and enterprise reporting.
Current landscape and report rationalisation

Assess the current reporting estate, including ECC reports and the SAP BusinessObjects BI Launch Pad, which is approaching end of support, and define the transition path.
Build and maintain a report inventory with Finance, People Services and business owners, deciding which reports are retained, replaced, redesigned or retired.
Plan decommissioning of legacy reporting so there is no gap in business-critical reporting at cutover.
Essential experience

Proven experience defining and delivering a reporting and analytics strategy on an SAP ERP transformation programme.
Strong knowledge of SAP operational and analytical reporting, including S/4HANA Embedded Analytics, Fiori analytical apps, CDS views and drill-down/drill-through reporting.
Experience of SAP Analytics Cloud and of extracting SAP data into a cloud data platform (e.g. SAP Datasphere, Databricks, Azure).
Working knowledge of Microsoft enterprise analytics (Microsoft Fabric, Azure data services, Power BI) and of blended, cross-system reporting.
Good understanding of Finance management reporting, financial statements, KPIs and executive dashboards.
Track record of leading report rationalisation and legacy BI decommissioning (e.g. SAP BusinessObjects / BI Launch Pad).
Ability to engage Finance, People Services, Enterprise Architecture and technical teams, and turn competing requirements into clear decisions.
Desirable experience

SAP SuccessFactors People Analytics and/or SAP Concur Intelligence.
SAP Business Data Cloud licensing and capacity-unit models.
Higher education or public sector experience, including exposure to student and institutional reporting.
Data governance, data quality and GDPR-compliant reporting security.
SAC Planning or FP&A tooling experience.
Relevant SAP, Microsoft (e.g. Fabric Analytics Engineer) or data management certifications.
Candidate profile

The successful candidate will be an experienced SAP analytics and reporting specialist who is as comfortable shaping strategy as they are discussing Fiori drill-down design or Fabric data models. They will bring a pragmatic, standard-first mindset, challenging bespoke reporting where standard or embedded options will do, and will be able to hold the line between what belongs inside SAP and what belongs on the enterprise platform. They will work confidently across Finance, People Services, Student Services, Enterprise Architecture, the DMU Data team and suppliers including NTT DATA, and will be able to take architecture and licensing questions to clear, costed decisions through programme governance
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed