Head of Business Analysis

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Head of Business Analysis to lead their digital team of Business Analysts. The role focuses on delivering business value, managing complex projects, and developing a competent analysis function. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in business analysis, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships effectively while contributing strategically to the overall functional goals.

Benefits

Annual Leave - 26 days holiday increasing with length of service

Annual Bonus

Generous Pension Scheme through AON

Private Medical Health Care

Qualifications

• Significant experience in business analysis or a related field, with a focus on digital solutions.
• Proven experience in managing and leading teams, including mentoring junior analysts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive the delivery of business benefits and value across Thames digital project portfolio.
• Manage and develop the business analysis function and team, fostering a culture of excellence.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among Digital project teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Business Analysis

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Planning

Requirements Elicitation

Education

Relevant professional certifications (CBAP, CBATL, PMI – PBA)

Job description

Job title Head of Business Analysis Ref 41706 Division Digital Location Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Salary Offering up to £100,000 per annum depending on experience plus Car Allowance & Bonus Job grade C Closing date 24/07/2025

At Thames Water, we make a daily difference to our 16 million customers by supplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000 km of pipes, keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing. We deliver life's essential service so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive.

As the UK’s largest water company, we are taking action for a new world of water - fixing the problems of today and building resilience for tomorrow.

As Head of Business Analysis, you will be responsible for the leadership and performance of the Digital team of Business Analysts (BA’s), evolving business analysis capability and contributing to the development of functional strategy. You will be an expert in your field, developing the critical Business analysis function to enable successful delivery of large complex projects and programmes which meet business/customer requirements.

What you’ll be doing as Head of Business Analysis

As Head of Business Analysis, you will be responsible for working with Heads of Portfolio, Project and Programme Managers, Programme Management Office (PMO) and wider Digital technical delivery teams to assess new project and programme requests and ensure that appropriate solutions are identified. You will need excellent leadership qualities, be comfortable with operating a matrix-managed team and allocating resources to projects and programmes as demand requires.

This role is pivotal to driving Digital transformation and the Digitisation of Thames Water.

Key responsibilities:

• Delivery of Business Value:Drive the delivery of business benefits and value across Thames digital complex project & programme portfolio, utilising expertise in requirements elicitation, process mapping, data modelling, and relevant business analysis tools.
• Functional and Team Development: Manage and develop the business analysis function and team, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and innovation.
• Strategic Alignment: Develop strategic plans which contribute to the development of functional strategy, ensuring that business analysis activities are aligned with the Digital and Thames strategic goals.
• Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration: Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among Digital project teams and stakeholders, providing expert advice on optimising business processes and systems to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Mentor and develop BA team members, enhancing their capabilities in business benefits and value realisation, operationalising the full range of business analysis practices and methodologies.
• Build and maintain BA processes, guidelines, best practices for reference and training purposes.
• Regularly review and improve business analysis processes in cooperation with the business analysis team.
• Resource allocation and augmentation based on business demands.

Base location: Clearwater Court, Reading – Hybrid working

Full Time (36 hours a week)

What you should bring to the role:

• Significant experience in business analysis or a related field, with a focus on digital solutions.
• Leadership: Proven experience in managing and leading teams, including mentoring junior analysts and fostering a collaborative environment
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with various stakeholders, including senior management, internal customers, technical teams and third parties
• Strategic Planning: Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans that align with business goals
• Experience of business analysis delivering a range of applications
• Proven track record of managing activities that support several full project life cycle implementations including those of a large, high risk complex nature
• Proven ability in managing substantial budgets and human resources in a complex project or programme environment that operates matrix management

Essential Technical Skills & Qualifications:

• Relevant professional certifications such as CBAP, CBATL, PMI – PBA
• Experience of managing business analysis teams supporting delivery of complex, large scale technology project and programme portfolios
• Understanding of existing and emerging digital technologies
• Experience of delivery of technical platforms and systems, e.g. CMS, ERP, CRM

What’s in it for you?

• Offering up to £100,000 per annum depending on experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Annual Bonus
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Private Medical Health Care
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process . Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support .

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.