Head of Business Analysis - (7691)

Are you passionate about our ambition as a University? Keen to support and help realise all of our goals for Education and Research?

Are you keen to help introduce effective change that will help modernise, improve the effectiveness and success for Manchester Met?

If so, please read on!

Our Business Analysis practice is growing in IT&D and we now need a new Head of Business Analysis to lead the team! Business Analysis works closely with the business teams across Education, Research and Professional Services and has rapidly expanded to support the delivery of our strategies.

Head of Business Analysis will lead, co-ordinate the team and provide the thought-leadership for the wider BA community. They will help to introduce the design and changes needed by the teams to modernise, improve and succeed. By combining established Business Analysis frameworks, applying lean process techniques to spot efficiency, the Head of Business Analysis will be supporting our delivery teams with their agile, continuous and iterative releases of change.

As we engage to support our strategies and change programmes this will be a highly visible role within the University. The applicants will need to be highly motivated, with a great attitude to teamwork and collaboration and be keen to make a difference to the University.

As a recognised expert in Business Analysis, you will:

• Set the vision and strategy for the community of practice for Business Analysis. Collaborate with colleagues to ensure that the vision and strategy for the IT&D Business Analysis capability and the community of practice is aligned, supporting and delivering to the strategic priorities, outcomes and goals of the organisation.
• Own the standards for Business Analysis and be responsible for defining, leading and continually improving these standards for the capability.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of Business Analysts, providing coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Developing a career path for Business Analysis in the University to support the progression of our Analysts to fulfil their career ambitions.
• Coach and lead teams in Agile and Lean practices, determining the right approach to take and evaluating this through the life of a project. Think of new and innovative ways of working to achieve the right outcomes. Act as a recognised expert and advocate for these approaches, continuously reflecting and challenging the team.
• Manage a network of influence across all those areas of the University that impact the education and research strategies to ensure that consistent language, values and principles are applied. Proactively engage with the Students' Union, its staff and officers.
• Develop and empower a community of process improvement practitioners across the University, providing advice, guidance, best practice and policies to enable local and University-wide improvements.
• You will have a proven track record of identifying, testing and championing the adoption of emerging frameworks, techniques and practices within your professional domain, advising digital teams on the art of the possible and examples of innovative thinking.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Strategic thinker with a forward-looking mindset, capable of envisioning and shaping the future state of business architecture.
• Coach and lead teams in Agile and Lean practices, determining the right approach for the team to take and evaluating this through the life of a project.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to capture complex business requirements whilst using strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Leadership abilities, including the capacity to inspire and motivate a team, foster a culture of innovation, and drive results.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• In-depth knowledge of Business Analysis frameworks (e.g. PESTLE, VMOST, SWOT, POPIT, BASF, RACI, MOSCOW, SIPOC, CARDI). Investigation, the application of information elicitation methods, analysis and modelling. Documentation.
• Extensive and proven experience in Business Analysis within a complex IT environment, in developing and implementing Business Analysis frameworks, methodologies, and processes.
• Experience working closely with senior stakeholders, including C-level executives, to align business architecture initiatives with strategic objectives.

(For a full list of criteria and benefits, please refer to the job description and candidate pack provided below)

Application Process: To apply to this role, and share our ambition, please submit your CV and covering letter (detailing your suitability for the role) via our application portal.

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Geoff Smith (Chief Enterprise Architect) at geoff.smith@mmu.ac.uk

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.