At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of student information systems and enhance the student experience.
- Company: Join Arden University, a forward-thinking institution committed to innovation in education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, a generous pension plan, and free courses for you and your family.
- Other info: Remote working with occasional travel; excellent career growth opportunities await.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' journeys while shaping the future of higher education.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business analysis and team leadership is essential.
Salary: £60,000 - £73,000 per annum
Employment type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37
Reporting into: Head of Student Information Systems
Department: Quality and Registry
This role operates primarily on a remote working arrangement that will require only occasional travel into our various UK sites when necessary. Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit.
About Arden University:
We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education.
About our Department:
The Student Information Systems team sits within Quality & Registry and plays a key role in supporting the University's student journey through the effective management and development of its student information systems. The team works across the student lifecycle, supporting the systems, processes and data that underpin key academic and administrative activities from admissions through to graduation.
About the Opportunity:
As Arden University continues to invest in its digital student experience, we're looking for an experienced Senior Business Analyst & BA Practice Lead to play a leading role in shaping and improving the systems and processes that support our students throughout their journey with us.
As the subject matter expert for Business Analysis within our Student Information Systems team, you'll work closely with the SITS Operations Manager, Product Owner, technical teams and stakeholders across the University to turn complex business needs into effective, high-quality solutions. You'll lead analysis across strategic projects, system enhancements, operational improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
About You:
If you're an experienced Business Analyst who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing stakeholders and developing others, this is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our Student Information Systems and make a tangible difference to the student experience.
Essential Skills / Experience
- Experience of line managing, coaching, mentoring and developing Business Analysts or equivalent change professionals.
- Significant experience leading Business Analysis activities across complex, technology-enabled change programmes and multiple concurrent initiatives.
- Expert knowledge of Business Analysis methodologies, tools and techniques, including requirements elicitation, process mapping and business process redesign.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to engage senior leaders, manage competing priorities and constructively challenge existing processes.
- Proven experience facilitating workshops, discovery sessions and discussions with large and diverse stakeholder groups.
- Excellent written communication skills, including producing business cases, governance papers, recommendations and executive-level summaries.
Desirable Skills / Experience
- Experience working with Student Information Systems, particularly Tribal SITS.
- Knowledge of Higher Education regulatory frameworks.
- A Project Management qualification, such as PRINCE2, AgilePM or MSP.
Why Arden:
At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing unnecessary barriers to learning and making education more accessible. Employees benefit from:
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays on-top, and even a Christmas closure!
- A generous Aviva pension plan, company contributions starting from 7%
- BUPA Cash Plan
- Private Medical Insurance coverage (applies to certain job roles)
- Access to Perkbox benefits
- Study any Arden course for free, with a discount for all family and friends
Our Values: Stand out, Progressive, Accessible, Resourceful, Kindness, reflect who we are as an institution, a team and as individuals. If they also reflect you and you are excited by the chance to be the driving, creative force within a growing business, we want to hear from you.
Closing Date: 26th August
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: Arden University is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means that if you have a disability, as defined by the Disability Equality Act 2010, you may be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Senior Business Analyst & BA Practice Lead – SITS (Registry) in Coventry employer: Arden University
Arden University is an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling role in higher education, particularly in Birmingham. With a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and a supportive work culture, we prioritise employee growth and development, ensuring that our Associate Lecturers thrive in their teaching careers while making a meaningful impact on students' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Analyst & BA Practice Lead – SITS (Registry) in Coventry
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like Arden University!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Analyst & BA Practice Lead – SITS (Registry) in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Arden University, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arden University
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Arden University’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.
