Data Migration Analyst

The Student Record System Programme is replacing Cardiff Metropolitan University's current system with a modern, cloud-based platform that will transform how we manage the full student lifecycle.

A new system is only as good as the data within it, and making sure every student record arrives accurately and safely is precisely what this role is about.

In this role, you will be responsible for the execution of data migration activity, ensuring that student data is accurately and safely transferred from our legacy system (QLS) to the new Student Record System ahead of go-live. You will take the agreed migration strategy from analysis through to cutover, covering data profiling, mapping, extraction, transformation, cleansing, loading and validation, and protecting the integrity and continuity of student records throughout the transition.

You will work closely with subject matter experts across student records, registry, admissions and academic schools, as well as Digital Services and system suppliers, turning complex legacy data into a clean, reconciled dataset ready for go-live.

Responsibilities:

- Analysing data held in the current student record system (QLS), identifying data quality issues, gaps and risks ahead of migration.
- Undertaking data mapping between the legacy and new systems, and producing data dictionaries, mapping specifications, transformation rules and cutover runbooks for stakeholder sign-off.
- Building, testing and iterating migration scripts and transformation routines, ensuring data is cleansed, standardised and fit for purpose before each migration run.
- Executing multiple migration rehearsal runs, resolving issues iteratively and maintaining a migration issue log with clear owners and resolution timescales.
- Carrying out validation and reconciliation at each stage to verify the accuracy, completeness and integrity of migrated data, and supporting source data cleansing with operational teams.
- Contributing to programme cutover planning on sequencing, timescales and dependencies, and reporting migration progress, risks, issues and readiness to the PMO.

Requirements:

- Demonstrable experience of significantly contributing to data migration projects, including data profiling, extraction, transformation, loading and validation.
- Experience of executing data mapping specifications between source and target systems, with a strong understanding of data structures, field-level mapping and transformation rules.
- Proficiency in SQL or equivalent query languages for data analysis, extraction and validation, including writing and iterating migration scripts.
- Experience of managing iterative migration rehearsal runs, maintaining an issue log, and defining and executing data validation and reconciliation processes.
- Experience of producing clear data migration documentation, including data dictionaries, mapping specifications, transformation rules and cutover runbooks.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, with experience of working alongside SMEs, operational teams and suppliers, and reporting progress, risks and issues in a timely manner.
- A degree-level qualification in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Management or a related technical discipline (or equivalent professional experience) is essential.
- A sound understanding of data governance, data protection and information security as they apply to sensitive personal data.

Desirable:

- Experience of data migration in higher education, familiarity with student record data and regulatory reporting such as HESA.
- Experience of ERP or similar enterprise systems.
- A relevant data certification (e.g. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer, BCS Certificate in Data Management).

Benefits:

- Annual leave of 35 days, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous contributions.
- Excellent family friendly policies.
- Opportunities to learn and develop your skills with access to library and digital services facilities.
- Excellent sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership.
- Free family access to independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.