Lead Business Analyst in Burton upon Trent

Location: Burton on Trent, Hybrid working includes 2x office days (essential)

Day Rate: Up to £580 per day Outside IR35

Duration: Up to 12+ months

Start Date: Within the next 2-8 weeks (ideally)

Department: Technology and Change

Riviera Travel is a leader in creating exceptional travel experiences, known for its high-quality escorted tours, river cruises, and solo holidays. With a strong heritage and a passion for detail, every journey is carefully designed to deliver memorable moments from start to finish. Joining Riviera means being part of a collaborative and people-focused business where your work directly contributes to bringing unforgettable experiences to life for customers across the UK and beyond.

The Role

As Lead Business Analyst, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering key transformation initiatives across the business. Acting as a bridge between business stakeholders and technology teams, you will ensure that new solutions are designed, built and implemented in a way that fully supports business goals, processes and data requirements. You will be a key driver within the Transformation Portfolio, working closely with senior stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into practical, effective solutions that enhance the overall operating model. You will lead the design and delivery of business solutions, working closely with function Heads and key stakeholders to represent their needs and priorities throughout the full lifecycle of each initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the single point of accountability for the end-to-end business solution across all impacted functions
• Ensure the solution meets business objectives, integrates effectively across systems, and supports operational needs
• Work closely with Solution Architects, Business Analysts, and technical teams to align solution design with business priorities
• Work closely with Business Analysts to define and refine user stories and acceptance criteria
• Own the solution scope and ensure all components (processes, data, systems, and change) are coordinated and aligned
• Make decisions on solution trade-offs, sequencing, and priorities in consultation with stakeholders
• Participate in sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives with the delivery team
• Provide timely feedback to developers and testers during development and testing phases
• Act as the main point of contact for business decisions related to the product
• Communicate progress, risks, and changes to stakeholders clearly and regularly
• Support the Change Manager and Training Team in preparing the business for go-live
• Identify and define transitional operating model, including temporary SOPs, workarounds and additional controls to ensure smooth dual-systems operations.
• Represent the business in delivery discussions, ensuring the solution is fit for purpose and future-proof
• Oversee the integration of internal IT components and third-party systems into a cohesive solution
• Support the Enterprise Architect in ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and architecture
• Engage with business leaders to validate solution direction and secure buy-in
• Monitor solution delivery progress and elevate risks or issues as needed
• Ensure the solution is ready for operational use, including testing, training, change readiness, and transitional operating procedures and post-live business hypercare

In addition to your primary focus on the programme to replace our Booking Platform, you will also contribute to broader transformation initiatives that are linked to the Booking Platform programme. This includes supporting programmes with cross-functional dependencies, such as changes to contact centre operations and the introduction of new initiatives like a Loyalty Scheme.

About you

You are an experienced solution leader with a strong track record of delivering complex business and technology programmes.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in leading enterprise-wide solution delivery across complex business and IT programmes
• Strong understanding of business processes, systems integration, and operational impacts
• Experience working with cross-functional teams including business, IT, and external suppliers
• Experience of target and transitional operating model design including transitional process definition
• Ability to balance strategic objectives with delivery constraints and make informed decisions
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture principles and governance
• Experience in the travel, booking, or customer-facing service industries (preferred but not essential)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Degree or equivalent qualification in business, IT, or a related field
• Experience in Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid delivery environments

This is a high impact role where you will shape a critical transformation programme and influence how the business operates in the future. You will work with a collaborative and forward-thinking team, playing a key role in delivering meaningful change that improves both customer experience and operational performance.