BI manager job description.

What does a business intelligence manager do?

 

A business intelligence manager oversees a team responsible for delivering reports, dashboards, and insights that support decision-making across the business. They set priorities, manage stakeholders, and ensure data is accurate and accessible.

 

Key responsibilities include project planning, tool selection, aligning reporting with strategy, and managing delivery timelines. They also coach analysts and developers and liaise with IT or data engineering teams to support scalable reporting systems.

 

In smaller companies, they may be both strategic and hands-on. In enterprises, they manage multi-functional BI teams and partner closely with senior leadership to inform performance and planning.

 

Key responsibilities of a business intelligence manager.

 

BI managers lead teams that transform data into business insight. Their responsibilities typically include:

• Managing BI analysts, developers, and engineers

• Setting BI strategy and aligning reporting with business priorities

• Overseeing the delivery of dashboards, insights, and executive reporting

• Collaborating with department leads on forecasting and performance analysis

• Ensuring accuracy, governance, and access control in BI systems

• Leading vendor selection and tool implementation

• Defining key metrics and guiding data standardisation

• Supporting ad hoc analysis and high-priority decision-making

• Reporting performance of BI function to executive leadership

• Coaching and developing data talent across the team

This role blends data leadership, operational insight, and cross-functional strategy.

 

Skills and requirements for a business intelligence manager.

 

BI managers oversee data reporting, strategy, and team delivery. Employers typically look for:

• 6–10 years of experience in analytics, data, or BI leadership

• Experience managing developers, analysts, or engineers

• Strong understanding of commercial KPIs and reporting needs

• Ability to prioritise requests and manage stakeholder expectations

• Skilled in data governance, quality assurance, and documentation

• Familiarity with modern BI stacks and visualisation platforms

• Experience coordinating cross-functional reporting initiatives

• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring skills

• Ability to translate technical data into business insights

Most BI managers report to senior data or finance leaders, ensuring timely, relevant data delivery.

 

Average salary for a business intelligence manager.

 

In the UK, the average salary for a business intelligence manager typically ranges from £55,500 to £75,000, depending on team size, stakeholder engagement, and reporting architecture.

• Mid-level BI managers typically earn between £55,500 and £65,000

• Senior managers leading large-scale BI functions may earn between £66,000 and £75,000

• Roles driving strategic data initiatives or commercial analytics tend to attract higher salaries

Top pay is found in retail, FMCG, and technology-enabled service businesses.

 

Career progression for a business intelligence manager.

 

A business intelligence manager oversees the delivery of dashboards, reports, and data tools. It’s a leadership role that balances stakeholder needs, infrastructure management, and insight delivery. A typical path includes:

 

BI analyst / Developer

 

Builds reports, analyses trends, and develops business-facing dashboards.

 

Senior BI analyst / Lead developer

 

Leads BI projects, manages junior colleagues, and liaises with stakeholders.

 

BI manager

 

Oversees the BI function. Manages team priorities, platform improvements, and governance.

 

Head of BI / Data strategy lead

 

Drives insights at an enterprise level. Aligns BI outputs with growth, operations, and leadership decision-making.

 

Director of analytics

 

Leads data strategy across departments and embeds insight as a core business function.