At a Glance
- Tasks: Capture and translate data needs into actionable requirements for impactful projects.
- Company: Join Thames Water, the UK's largest water and wastewater company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and health perks.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in data solutions that benefit millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in data analysis and Agile methodologies required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
As a Data Business Analyst, you will play a key role within Thames Water's Data function, working across the organisation to proactively understand, capture, and catalogue the demand for data solutions. Acting as the bridge between business stakeholders and technical delivery teams, you will translate business needs into clear, actionable requirements and user stories that enable the successful delivery of data products and services.
Working closely with stakeholders, data engineers, analysts, and other data professionals, you will ensure that data initiatives align with business objectives and deliver measurable value. You will take ownership of requirements from early concept through to detailed definition, applying Agile methodologies and Product Owner principles to drive the development of high-quality, reusable data solutions that support Thames Water's strategic goals.
What you'll be doing as a Data Business Analyst:
- Capture and document data requirements from internal stakeholders based on requests submitted through the Data Front Door project request process.
- Translate high-level business concepts into detailed user stories, acceptance criteria, and task breakdowns to support delivery teams.
- Collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation to understand data requirements and ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Act as an Agile Product Owner, defining and communicating a clear vision that enables development teams to deliver valuable and reusable data products.
- Participate in technical and functional discussions to ensure data initiatives meet both business and technical requirements.
- Build strong relationships with internal colleagues to understand departmental and organisational data needs.
- Gather and analyse stakeholder feedback on data services and products to support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support the prioritisation, assignment, and management of work across data squads to ensure efficient delivery of data solutions.
- Facilitate workshops and requirement-gathering sessions to identify and document business and data needs.
- Work closely with data engineers, analysts, and architects to ensure solutions are fit for purpose and aligned with agreed requirements.
- Maintain accurate and comprehensive project and requirements documentation throughout the delivery lifecycle.
- Support the development of data products and services that enable informed business decision-making.
- Promote best practices in requirements management, stakeholder engagement, and Agile delivery.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of data processes, governance, and service delivery.
- Ensure delivered solutions provide value, meet stakeholder expectations, and support business outcomes.
What you should bring to the role:
- Proven experience as a Data Business Analyst or in a similar role delivering data-focused initiatives and projects.
- Hands-on experience working within Agile delivery environments and acting as a Product Owner.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex information and translate it into actionable outcomes.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the organisation.
- Experience facilitating workshops, gathering requirements, and documenting business processes and data needs.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
- Strong organisational skills with a structured and methodical approach to work.
- A strategic mindset with the ability to align data initiatives to wider business objectives.
- A commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes and continuous improvement.
Technical experience and skills:
- Proficiency in SQL with a willingness to further develop technical and analytical capabilities.
- Strong understanding of data management, data governance, and analytics principles.
- Experience creating user stories, acceptance criteria, process maps, and project documentation.
- Knowledge of data mapping, requirements elicitation techniques, and business analysis methodologies.
- Ability to analyse data requirements and translate them into technical specifications for delivery teams.
- Experience working with Agile tools and frameworks to manage backlogs, priorities, and delivery activities.
- Strong understanding of how data solutions support business processes and operational decision-making.
Desirable qualifications and experience:
- Experience working within the water, utilities, or waste management sectors.
- Knowledge of enterprise systems and platforms used within large organisations.
- Experience supporting data transformation programmes and enterprise-wide data initiatives.
- Understanding of data governance, master data management, and data quality improvement practices.
Desirable technical skills and qualifications:
- Experience working with SAP, Salesforce, Azure, ESRI, GIS, Databricks, or similar enterprise platforms.
- Professional Business Analysis, Agile, or Product Owner certifications.
- Degree in Business Analysis, Data Analytics, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
- Familiarity with modern data platforms, cloud technologies, and analytics environments.
What's in it for you?
- Competitive salary: Up to 60,000 per annum, depending on experience.
- Annual Leave: 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
- Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family's health and wellbeing, and your finances.
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you're looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people's lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we'll be here to support you every step of the way.
Data Business Analyst - Reading, Berkshire employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where you can make a tangible impact on millions of lives. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a strong commitment to employee growth and well-being, you'll find meaningful career opportunities in a company dedicated to sustainability and innovation. Located in Reading, our hybrid working model promotes flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to vital water services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Business Analyst - Reading, Berkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Thames Water on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to data analysis and Agile methodologies. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it helps you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for data! During interviews, share examples of how you've used data to drive decisions or improve processes. This will demonstrate your alignment with Thames Water's goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Thames Water family.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Business Analyst - Reading, Berkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Data Business Analyst role. Highlight your experience with Agile methodologies and how you've successfully translated business needs into actionable requirements in previous roles.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your analytical and problem-solving skills! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've tackled complex data challenges and delivered high-quality outcomes in past projects.
Engage with Stakeholders:Since this role involves a lot of collaboration, mention any experience you have in building relationships with stakeholders. Share how you've facilitated workshops or gathered requirements to ensure alignment with business objectives.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Data
Before the interview, brush up on your data management and analytics principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles, especially in Agile environments. This will show that you understand the technical side of the job and can bridge the gap between business needs and technical delivery.
✨Master the User Stories
Since you'll be translating business needs into user stories, practice articulating how you would break down complex requirements into actionable tasks. Prepare examples from your past experience where you successfully created user stories and acceptance criteria that led to successful project outcomes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve built relationships with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you gathered requirements and facilitated workshops. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensure alignment between technical teams and business objectives.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you approached solving them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to deliver high-quality outcomes under pressure.
