Lead Business Analyst in Nottingham

The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.

Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.

Are you an experienced Business Analyst who thrives in complex environments, enjoys solving difficult problems, and can confidently lead others through change and uncertainty? The Health Research Authority (HRA) is delivering an ambitious digital transformation programme that will reshape how health and care research is supported across the UK. We're looking for an exceptional Lead Business Analyst to help drive this transformation and lead our Business Analysis capability. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in developing products and services that support researchers, NHS organisations, regulators, universities and industry partners, ultimately helping to improve the UK research landscape.

As Lead Business Analyst, you'll set the direction for business analysis in the digital transformation programme. You'll work across organisational boundaries, build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, and lead a team of Business Analysts delivering meaningful change. You will play a key role in the delivery of our major transformation programme, which is developing a new digital service, Plan and Manage Health and Care Research, to replace existing national systems. This role requires someone who is equally comfortable operating at a strategic level and getting involved in the detail when needed. You'll help shape priorities, influence decision-making, and ensure solutions deliver value for users and the organisation.

Main duties of the job:

• Leading business analysis across large, complex programme delivering digital services
• Managing, coaching and developing Senior Business Analysts and Business Analysts
• Working closely with Product, Subject Matter Experts, User‑Centred Design and Technical teams in an Agile environment
• Building trusted relationships with stakeholders
• Facilitating discovery, requirements definition, process modelling and improvement
• Acting as a recognised expert and advocate for business analysis best practice

Who we're looking for:

We're particularly interested in people who bring both technical excellence and strong leadership skills. You’ll have:

• Significant experience leading business analysis across complex programmes, portfolios or large‑scale digital transformations
• Experience working in an environment with competing priorities and changing demands
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing Business Analysts and high‑performing teams
• Strong Agile delivery experience and an ability to adapt methods and approaches to suit the situation

What will make you stand out?

We're looking for a leader who remains calm and effective when priorities change. Our environment is dynamic, and the most successful candidate will be someone who:

• Thrives in ambiguity rather than being discouraged by it
• Demonstrates resilience when programmes evolve or strategic decisions change direction
• Helps teams stay focused, motivated and outcome‑driven when plans need to adapt

Working for our organisation:

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged. Working at the HRA, we support flexible working, recognising that home based or hybrid arrangements provides us with the most productive environment to work well. Where possible, we’ll offer a working pattern that suits you. The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle, Manchester and Nottingham based staff can be office based and hybrid working arrangements are also possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.

We are 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 helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Important information:

We are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered. Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted. Only the information provided in the application form will be considered. CVs will not be reviewed. We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.

Our fixed term roles are also open to applicants who wish to apply on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their line manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.

Organisational structure and directorate overview:

The HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources. This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRA's portfolio of UK‑wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The directorate owns, develops, and delivers the HRA's digital strategy in line with government digital and functional standards. The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

Person specification:

Qualifications:

• Essential criteria: Professional qualification at master's level in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience; Evidence of continued professional development; Recognised business analyst certification (either BCS Foundation / Practitioner or IIBA CCBA/CBAP certifications)
• Desirable criteria: Recognised certification in Agile (for example Scrum Alliance)

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise:

• Essential criteria: 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; Managing and/or working with third party suppliers and multiple internal and external business and IT stakeholders with management of relationships across different levels of seniority
• Desirable criteria: Understanding of Microsoft development software

Experience:

• Essential criteria: Large portfolio of experience demonstrating successful working at a lead business analyst level supporting the entire projects, programmes and development lifecycle; Experience of line management; Experience of coaching/mentoring, and supporting junior colleagues and apprentices
• Desirable criteria: Experience of working in NHS and/or health research

Analytical and Judgemental Skills:

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

Interpersonal skills:

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

In return for your commitment, we offer excellent opportunities for personal development and a healthy work‑life balance. The HRA is committed to promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality. We welcome and encourage applications, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity and gender expression, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, sex or sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made upon request, for candidates with a disability. The HRA welcomes applicants who are interested in flexible working including job share, part time work, secondments or home‑based working. Please discuss any preferred flexibility at your interview.