Principal Business Analyst

Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa; Palmerston North; Hybrid; NZD 112,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff Benefits

Palmerston North campus

Job summary

Massey University is recruiting a Principal Business Analyst for a 12-month fixed-term contract at our Palmerston North campus. The role leads complex business analysis across high-impact initiatives, shaping problem definitions, options analysis, and requirements for delivery.

You will mentor other BAs, engage senior stakeholders, and contribute to BA standards while working in a hybrid delivery environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering Business Analysis in large or complex organisations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and executive-level influence.
• Deep expertise in business process modelling, requirements definition, and options analysis.
• Experience working across Agile, hybrid, and traditional delivery environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead business analysis for complex, high-impact programmes and initiatives.
• Shape problem definition, options analysis, and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Engage and influence a wide range of senior stakeholders, including executives and governance groups.
• Plan and facilitate workshops, interviews, and analysis activities in complex environments.
• Define, prioritise, and manage requirements across the full delivery lifecycle.
• Lead and contribute to business process improvement and future-state design.
• Provide expert input into solution design, delivery approaches, and acceptance criteria.
• Act as a senior advisor and mentor to other Business Analysts.
• Contribute to the development and application of BA standards, tools, and ways of working.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Requirements definition

Process modelling

Options analysis

Agile

Hybrid delivery

Workshop facilitation

Change management

Digital transformation

Enterprise analysis

Education

Tertiary qualification in IT or business

Senior practitioner BA certification

Job description

Principal Business Analyst

Fixed Term 12-months Full Time 37.50hrs p/w

Massey University is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Principal Business Analyst on a twelve-month fixed term contract to join our Information Technology Services (ITS) team. Based on our beautiful Palmerston North campus, this is a senior role supporting some of the University's most complex and high-impact initiatives.

About the Role

As a Principal Business Analyst, you will lead analysis activities across large, complex, and high-risk initiatives that are critical to Massey's strategic direction. You will combine big-picture thinking with hands-on analytical expertise to shape problem definition, assess options, and ensure clarity of requirements and solution design.

Working closely with senior leaders, governance groups, and delivery teams, you will help define future-state processes and systems that align organisational needs with technology capability. While primarily focused on delivery, you will also act as a senior point of reference within the Business Analysis practice - providing guidance, quality input, and practical support to help teams deliver successful outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead business analysis for complex, high-impact programmes and initiatives
• Shape problem definition, options analysis, and recommendations to support informed decision-making
• Engage and influence a wide range of senior stakeholders, including executives and governance groups
• Plan and facilitate workshops, interviews, and analysis activities in complex environments
• Define, prioritise, and manage requirements across the full delivery lifecycle
• Lead and contribute to business process improvement and future-state design
• Provide expert input into solution design, delivery approaches, and acceptance criteria
• Act as a senior advisor and mentor to other Business Analysts
• Contribute to the development and application of BA standards, tools, and ways of working

About You

You are an experienced Business Analyst who thrives in complexity and ambiguity and is confident influencing at senior levels. You balance strategic thinking with detailed analytical work and bring a collaborative, outcomes-focused approach.

You will have

• Extensive experience delivering Business Analysis in large or complex organisations
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including executive-level influence
• Deep expertise in business process modelling, requirements definition, and options analysis
• Experience working across Agile, hybrid, and traditional delivery environments
• A tertiary qualification in IT, business, or equivalent industry experience
• Industry-recognised Business Analysis certification at a senior practitioner level

Why Massey?

• Work in a collaborative, inclusive, and values-led environment
• Contribute to meaningful initiatives that support teaching, research, and community impact
• Be part of a Tiriti-led organisation making a difference in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements and professional development opportunities
• Live and work on our welcoming Palmerston North campus
• Salary band 111,537 to $144,342 (NZD) based on a full-time 37.5-hour working week
• Benefits of working at Massey - Staff Benefits at Massey University

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're a proactive and solutions-focused business analyst who thrives on meaningful work and collaboration, we encourage you to apply. Join us in shaping Massey's future and delivering initiatives that make a real difference.

This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with the option to work from home up to two days per week. Tuesday is the ITS anchor day, and all team members are expected to be on site at the Palmerston North campus.

Desired Skills and Experience

Principal Business Analyst, Senior Business Analyst, Business Analysis, Strategic Analysis, Requirements Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Process Improvement, Process Modelling, Change Management, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Analysis, Options Analysis, Solution Design, Agile, Hybrid Delivery, Governance, Workshop Facilitation, Project Delivery, Higher Education, Information Technology, IT Strategy