Job Description

Watch our Vision Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch-v=hOU0TYnNsZo

Take a tour of our Website: https://sparkschools.co.za/

About SPARK

SPARK stands for: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, and Kindness.

We are a high-growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial network of private schools, operating 21 primary schools, 5 high schools and serving over 16,000 families. Our model pioneers an accessible, future-focused approach that challenges the traditional one-size-fits-all schooling model. In a world of AI and rapid technological advancement, we focus on our scholars' social-emotional development, creating better, more capable humans, not just academic performance. Our academics are underpinned by a blended tech-enabled and project-based curriculum, giving teachers the tools and data-backed insight to be responsive to individual scholars' needs.

In the future of work, it’s those who can adapt quickly, think critically, work creatively, and handle conflict diplomatically who will succeed, whether in academia, employment, or entrepreneurship.

What SPARK Offers you:

At SPARK, we invest in the people who invest in us. When you join our team you can expect Recognition & Fair Reward, valued today, rewarded fairly over time; Growth & Learning, the chance to learn, stretch and grow as SPARK grows; Leadership You Trust, an environment where you are led well and heard; a Culture of Belonging where people truly matter; Purpose with Impact, work that shapes futures that matter; the energy of High Performance Teams where ambition meets pace; and Pride in Product & Innovation, the chance to build something exceptional.

Purpose of the role:

To design, build, and analyse data across SPARK Schools' academic, financial, and operational systems, delivering trusted pipelines, insight, and recommendations that inform decision-making at every level of the network.

Reports To: Business Intelligence & Analytics Manager

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Reliable data pipelines and models deliver accurate, timely, and well-governed data across SPARK's core systems, from source to reporting layer.
• An Azure-based data lake and warehouse architecture is built and maintained to support scalable, secure, and multi-site reporting.
• Business stakeholders receive analysis and insight, not just dashboards — with clear recommendations that inform school and operational decisions.
• Data quality, consistency, and documentation are actively maintained across all datasets used school-wide.
• Reporting and analytics processes are continuously improved, reducing manual effort and increasing self-service capability for other teams.

What we are looking for:

SPARK is high-expectations, high-support, and high-pace. You will thrive here if you are:

• Equally comfortable in SQL, Python, and Power BI and curious about the next layer up in Azure and AI-in-BI.
• Meticulous about data quality, you don't ship a dashboard until the numbers reconcile.
• A translator: able to move fluently between a query editor and a conversation with a school principal.
• Independent enough to own delivery end-to-end, humble enough to peer review and be peer reviewed.
• A systemic thinker, you see a broken report and want to fix the pipeline behind it, not just the number on the screen.
• Motivated by impact, you want your work to change what happens in classrooms and boardrooms, not just fill a page.

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Qualification: Degree in statistics, data, or computer science, or a related field; relevant certifications (e.g. Microsoft) advantageous
• Registration: Not applicable
• Experience: 4–6 years in data analysis or BI, including working knowledge of at least one project delivered on Azure and Power BI
• Language: Strong command of English (written and spoken); additional South African language advantageous
• Criminal record: Clear criminal record - SAPS clearance certificate required

Ready to work at SPARK?

If you are the kind of person who sees a data question and can't rest until the pipeline is right, the dashboard is trusted, and the recommendation is on the leadership team's agenda - SPARK is where your craft translates directly into scholar outcomes.

Apply now and help us build the future of Africa's education landscape.

Values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness

Benefits

SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: Commensurate with experience.

Position Type: Full Time

Location: Randburg, South Africa

SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company’s Employment Equity goals and targets.

SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.