Lead Business Analyst

NHS; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a lead business analyst to join their HRA digital directorate, focusing on developing solutions within national information systems for health research. This role involves stakeholder management, analysis, mentoring, and supporting significant digital transformation projects. Candidates are expected to have a master's level qualification and extensive experience in business analysis.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification at master's level or equivalent industry experience.
• Significant experience in Business Architecture and analysis in complex digital environments.
• Demonstrable knowledge of identifying user and business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the business analysis community and stakeholder relationships.
• Analyse business problems or opportunities and define success measures.
• Contribute to daily stand-ups and programme governance meetings.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Business analysis

Communication

Education

Master's degree in information related discipline

Tools

Microsoft development software

Job description

Job Summary

The lead business analyst is part of a highly successful team working within the HRA digital directorate, responsible for developing, delivering, and supporting complex solutions within the HRA's portfolio of national information systems for health research. This includes a major digital transformation programme to build a new Integrated Research Application and workflow system and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems (IRAS and HARP).

Main duties of the job

The postholder will have a good understanding of the enterprise arena and work in highly complex problem space, typically spanning multiple products or services.

At This Role Level, You Will:

• be a leader in the business analysis community (across HRA and externally)
• actively share knowledge and be seen as a go-to person in the BA discipline
• own the main stakeholder relationships related to your discipline
• analyse, understand, and define a business problem or opportunity
• undertake research and analysis to understand how a business area works, considering the people, organisation, processes, information, data and technology
• identify areas for improvement, explore feasible options, analyse the effects of change and define success measures
• identify and elaborate user and business needs to enable effective design, development and testing of services and business change
• assist the product management team to make decisions related to prioritisation and minimum viable product by using analysis led insights
• ensure new products and services meet business and user needs, and are aligned with programme goals
• understand any business and policy constraints that need to be considered, and assess the implications
• have functional management or people management accountabilities, or a combination of both
• mentor others
  
  

The lead business analyst will need to contribute to daily stand-ups, show and tells and sprint planning sessions and other programme governance meetings as applicable.

About Us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.

We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services.

We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:o ageo disabilityo ethnicityo gender identity and expressiono religion or beliefo sexo sexual orientationo other diverse characteristics

We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement - if it works for you, we'll do our best to make it work for us.

Please note, if applying to our Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.

Details

Date posted

11 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

980-HRA7261166-A

Job locations

Manchester

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN

Job Description

Job responsibilities

The Role Sits Within The HRA Digital Directorate Which Is Responsible For Developing, Delivering, And Supporting Complex Solutions Within The HRAs Portfolio Of National Information Systems For Health Research. This Includes a Major Programme To Build a New Integrated Research Application And Workflow System And To Achieve The Successful Migration And Eventual Closure Of Current Systems (IRAS And HARP). The HRA Digital Team Is a Collaborative, Supportive Team Consisting Of HRA Employees, Secondees, Contractors And Vendors. The HRA Digital Directorate Is Responsible For (this Is Not Exhaustive):

Digital portfolio management

Digital and technology direction

Service delivery management

Ongoing delivery of existing systems

Exit management of Legacy systems

Helpdesk function

Programme Delivery, handover and maintenance for all new and existing digital initiatives

Job Description

Job responsibilities

The Role Sits Within The HRA Digital Directorate Which Is Responsible For Developing, Delivering, And Supporting Complex Solutions Within The HRAs Portfolio Of National Information Systems For Health Research. This Includes a Major Programme To Build a New Integrated Research Application And Workflow System And To Achieve The Successful Migration And Eventual Closure Of Current Systems (IRAS And HARP). The HRA Digital Team Is a Collaborative, Supportive Team Consisting Of HRA Employees, Secondees, Contractors And Vendors. The HRA Digital Directorate Is Responsible For (this Is Not Exhaustive):

Digital portfolio management

Digital and technology direction

Service delivery management

Ongoing delivery of existing systems

Exit management of Legacy systems

Helpdesk function

Programme Delivery, handover and maintenance for all new and existing digital initiatives

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional qualification at master's level in an information related discipline or equivalent industry experience
• Evidence of continued professional development
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Expertise:

Desirable

• Managing and/or working with third party suppliers and multiple stakeholders
• Understanding of Microsoft development software
  
  

Interpersonal Skills

Essential

• Lead on communication with stakeholders at all levels and actively establish relationships and apply the benefits of professional networks
  
  

Essential

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise:

• Demonstrable expertise of working in data, software, and technology solutions to make informed decisions that add value, efficiency and solve a problem
• Demonstrable expertise of implementation and evaluation of business analysis processes
  
  

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in Business Architecture, analysis, and modelling in a complex digital landscape
  
  

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of analytical and creative thinking skills to analyse complex business problems and develop innovative, sustainable solutions
  
  

Other

Desirable

• Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity
  
  

Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge and skills to identify and elaborate user and business needs to enable effective design, development and testing of services and business change
  
  

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge and skills to identify and elaborate user and business needs to enable effective design, development and testing of services and business change
  
  

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Health Research Authority

Address

Manchester

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN

Employer's website

https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Health Research Authority

Address

Manchester

3 Piccadilly Place

Manchester

M1 3BN

Employer's website

https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)