Manager, Business Performance & Analysis

The Manager, Business Performance & Analysis role at African Leadership University (ALU) is responsible for transforming fragmented institutional data into actionable insights for leadership. This position bridges strategy, performance, and execution by analyzing complex information, identifying trends, and enabling data-driven decision-making across academic and professional functions.

Core Responsibilities:

Research, Economic Analysis, and Insight

• Develop quantitative and economic analyses for Executive Committee and Board submissions, including scenario modeling, unit economics, cost behavior, and baseline scenario assessments.
• Synthesize inconsistent, incomplete data from multiple functions into a defensible, transparent view, explicitly naming uncertainties.
• Clarify ambiguous requests by redefining analytical questions to align with decision-making needs.
• Maintain an external evidence base (comparators, benchmarks, research) to support analyses and decisions.
• State assumptions transparently and disclose gaps in data, avoiding proxy substitutions without disclosure.
• Review recurring analyses for gaps or inconsistencies, escalating findings as needed.

Communication and Decision-Ready Output

• Design data presentations to highlight key findings immediately, treating chart selection and sequencing as analytical choices.
• Tailor output formats (memos, dashboards, briefings) to audience needs and decision complexity.
• Write for senior stakeholders with limited time: lead with findings, support with evidence, and clarify unknowns.
• Adjust detail, language, and presentation for Executive Committee, Board, and technical audiences.
• Present analyses confidently, including assumptions, limitations, and implications.

Automation and Tooling

• Develop and maintain automated workflows for data extraction, reconciliation, and reporting to reduce manual effort.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools (LLMs, agents, scripts) for drafting, summarization, exception detection, and data preparation.
• Validate AI outputs, ensuring human oversight where critical.
• Implement escalation triggers for exceptions or material changes in recurring processes.
• Document tools/workflows for team accessibility and scalability.

Analytics Capability and Continuous Improvement

• Improve methodologies, templates, and tools for the Business Performance & Analysis function.
• Identify opportunities to standardize or automate recurring requests/processes.
• Establish quality checks for recurring analyses and reporting.
• Share lessons learned and analytical methods across the team.

Performance Tracking and Follow-through

• Maintain records of decisions, actions, owners, assumptions, and review dates arising from performance activities.
• Monitor agreed actions and escalate overdue or off-track items via digital tools.
• Manage a document repository for continuity, transparency, and handover.

Executive and Cycle Coordination

• Align engagement requirements with University planning, review, and reporting calendars (committees, statutory deadlines).
• Prepare analysis and briefing materials for key meetings (Executive Committee, Board).
• Track actions and commitments from meetings, ensuring reflection in working records.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs for consistency and timeliness.

Safeguarding Compliance

Adhere to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to violations.

Required Experience:

• 6–8 years of experience producing analysis for senior decision-makers in research institutions, consultancies, financial firms, or universities.
• Proven economic reasoning (opportunity cost, marginal effects, incentives) with a background in economics, consulting, policy research, or quantitative disciplines.
• Ability to distill complex analysis into concise executive communications (briefs, dashboards, recommendations).
• Working competence in Python or R for data analysis, with experience building low-maintenance analytical workflows.
• Practical experience with AI tools (LLMs, agents, scripts) to enhance productivity or decision support.
• Track record of synthesizing incomplete or conflicting inputs into a single, defensible view.
• Ability to quickly master unfamiliar subjects and analyze them effectively.
• Cross-functional experience (Finance, Data/IT, academic/professional functions) is strongly preferred.
• Exposure to executive/Board reporting is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Functional:

• Analytical Reasoning: Break down complex questions and determine required analysis.
• Data Interpretation: Identify patterns, anomalies, and reasonable conclusions.
• Economic/Fiscal Acumen: Understand cost behavior, revenue, and financial implications.
• Modelling: Build scenarios, forecasts, and sensitivity analyses.
• Digital & AI Fluency: Confidently use analytical, automation, and AI tools while validating outputs.
• Executive Communication: Distill analysis into clear findings and recommendations.

Behavioral & Leadership:

• Judgement: Recognize critical issues and act with imperfect information.
• Constructive Challenge: Question assumptions and raise concerns objectively.
• Ownership: Ensure analytical quality, timeliness, and usefulness.
• Collaboration: Work across functions while respecting data ownership.
• Delivery Discipline: Manage competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Continuous Improvement: Optimize processes and tools for efficiency.