Lead Business Analyst

Rail Delivery Group; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Business Analyst to spearhead a dynamic team of analysts. This pivotal role involves strategic leadership, fostering a collaborative culture, and ensuring successful project delivery across the organization. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in business analysis leadership, with a proven track record in managing large-scale projects and mentoring teams. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the direction of business analysis within the organization while enjoying a range of attractive benefits, including flexible working arrangements and generous leave policies.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

75% reduction on UK rail travel

Reduced international rail travel

Interest free season ticket loan

Contributory defined benefit pension scheme

Give As You Earn scheme

Subsidised private medical care

Healthcare cash plan scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working

Qualifications

• 5+ years in senior BA leadership roles with extensive project oversight.
• Expertise in managing and mentoring Business Analysts in a matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Business Analysts, ensuring effective resource allocation.
• Drive strategic planning and implementation for the Business Analysis function.

Skills

Business Analysis Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Project Management Methodologies

Communication Skills

Process Improvement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field

Certifications in Business Analysis

Tools

Business Analysis Tools

Project Management Software

Job description

Closing date: 21 May 2025

What is the purpose of this job?

This senior role will lead a team of over 10 Business Analysts and involves performing Senior Business Analyst duties while also taking on strategic and leadership responsibilities to ensure the success of the Business Analysis function. The Lead Business Analyst will drive the development and implementation of business solutions, ensure we have high performance, consistency and efficiency across our Business Analysis function. The role will determine the Business Analysis strategy and direction for the organisation.

Whilst the Lead Business Analyst will be the line manager of the RDG Business Analysts, they will be working on different projects and programmes on a day to day basis, therefore it will be a matrix management role, working with the project and programme managers to get the best out of the team, deliver the project outcomes, and develop the individual skills and experience of the team.

The Lead Business Analyst will also provide guidance and oversight of the work of contract Business Analysts working within Projects and Programmes, ensuring that they adhere to our common processes, ways of working and tools.

You will input into and follow RDG Project Delivery Framework and encourage others to also. This role will be measured by the successful delivery of projects and programmes within both our organisation, and where appropriate our member organisations too.

The Lead Business Analyst will spend a proportion of their time providing senior business analysis support to one of more projects.

What can I expect to do in this job?

• Team Leadership:

· Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Business Analysts.

· Allocate resources and manage workload distribution.

· Conduct performance reviews and provide constructive feedback.

· Foster a collaborative, diverse and inclusive team culture.

· Support professional development and continuous learning opportunities.

• Strategic Planning:

· Develop and implement strategic plans for the Business Analysis function.

· Align BA activities and resourcing with Portfolio goals and objectives, ensuring that we have the capacity and capability to deliver the portfolio roadmap.

· Develop and maintain a resource plan, ensuring that any recruitment and onboarding is undertaken in a timely manner.

• Identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation by monitoring industry trends and advancements in business analysis methodologies.
• Identify and implement best practices and guidance for business analysis within the team.
• Business Analysis:

· Deliver the business support of one or more projects, including:

· Gather and analyse business requirements from stakeholders.

· Develop detailed business cases and project documentation.

· Facilitate workshops and meetings to elicit requirements.

· Create process maps, workflows, and functional specifications.

• Stakeholder Management:

· Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.

· Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

· Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure alignment with project goals.

· Participate in project steering committee meetings and provide updates on BA activities.

Who will my key contacts be?

· BA and Programme Team Members

· RDG Exec and Senior Leadership Team

· Senior Stakeholders such as DFT, Fares Ticketing and Retail (FTR), ORR

· Internal supporting functions (e.g. architecture, finance, procurement, legal)

· Third party suppliers

· Train Operating Companies (TOCs) / member organisation representatives

What experience, skills and knowledge do I need?

We are looking for someone with at least 5 years extensive experience of working in a senior BA leadership position delivering and overseeing large scale programmes and projects. You will be able to demonstrate a strong aptitude for the role and expert BA leadership knowledge.

You are likely to have some experience in managing and mentoring other business analysts and have line management experience including undertaking appraisals and performance reviews. Familiarity with matrix management would be an advantage.

Some of the sort of specific skills and knowledge we are looking for include:

• Significant vocational Head/Lead BA experience ideally within Transport, Travel, Retail, Utilities, Professional Services

• Experience and qualifications in BA and project methodologies

• Delivery of concurrent BA activities on multiple programmes/projects within the agreed constraints of time, budget and demonstrating alignment to strategic objectives. This includes experience in managing and prioritising BA resources to ensure successful business outcomes whilst ensure the most efficient deployment of resource.
• Experience in complex technology projects, defining technical requirements, liaising with technology suppliers, supporting software development projects and creating operating models would be advantageous. Ideally, this will include both the solution development and transition into BAU.

• Ability to apply business and governance processes to delivery, and form good working relationships with all internal Governance teams

• Experience in achieving the best value of service through requirements definition, new business tenders, supplier governance frameworks and service monitoring with SLAs.

• Excellent communication skills, liaising with all senior executives, stakeholders, Industry boards and project team members, through the translation of complex and sometimes technical requirements
• Experience of collaborating with project managers and project teams to define project scope, timelines, and deliverable and provide guidance and support to team members on complex analysis tasks.

• 30 days annual leave
• 75% reduction on UK rail travel (for work and leisure) - more below
• Reduced international rail travel
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Contributory defined benefit pension scheme
• Give As You Earn scheme
• Subsidised private medical care
• Healthcare cash plan scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme scheme
• Flexible working
• 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (subject to eligibility)
• Personal Development Days
• Employees may sell up to a maximum of five days’ leave. Employees can buy up to a maximum of five days’ leave. These figures will be pro rata for part-time employees