At a Glance
- Tasks: Bridge business needs and tech teams, leading analysis and documentation of complex requirements.
- Company: Join the University of Oxford, a world-leading institution blending tradition with innovation.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, generous maternity leave, hybrid working, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to continuous improvement in business analysis.
- Why this job: Shape the future of CRM at a prestigious university while mentoring junior analysts.
- Qualifications: Degree educated with strong experience as a Business Analyst in complex organisations.
The predicted salary is between 49119 - 58265 £ per year.
Spanning the historic streets of the city of dreaming spires, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world's leading university for nine consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you'll contribute to ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Business Analyst to join us on a 3 year FTC basis. As Senior Business Analyst you'll act as the critical bridge between the University's business needs and the technical teams delivering solutions on the platform. You'll lead the elicitation, analysis, and documentation of complex requirements from stakeholders across colleges, divisions, and professional services translating varied, sometimes competing priorities into clear, actionable specifications that guide design and delivery.
This is a role for someone who can hold the big picture of an evolving CRM landscape while staying comfortable in the detail of process maps, data models, and user stories. Beyond individual projects, this role offers the chance to shape how business analysis is done across the CRM programme mentoring junior analysts, refining standards and templates, and building stronger relationships between the CRM team and the wider University community. You'll be joining at a point where Dynamics 365 is genuinely central to Oxford's engagement strategy, giving you real influence over decisions that will shape how the University works for years to come.
About You
- Degree educated (or equivalent experience) with substantial relevant professional experience.
- Strong experience as a Business Analyst in complex organisations, shaping scope, costs and benefits to support successful delivery of programmes and projects.
- Excellent communicator, confident working with senior stakeholders across diverse academic and professional environments.
- Sound understanding of both agile and waterfall delivery approaches, and how formal methods and tools can improve performance.
- Extensive experience as a Business Analyst; experience of working in Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM implementations would be an added advantage.
- Proven ability to engage, influence, and manage relationships with senior and diverse stakeholders, translating varied business needs into clear technical requirements.
- Strong track record of leading the analysis phase of complex projects, including options appraisal, gap analysis, and production of business cases and functional specifications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to mentor and provide guidance to junior colleagues, and to contribute to the continuous improvement of business analysis practice within a team.
What We Offer
- 38 days of annual leave to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous maternity and adoption leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay leave, followed by additional statutory and unpaid leave options.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 17 August 2026. The preliminary interviews will take place on 1 September, and will be held in office.
Senior Business Analyst (3 Year FTC) in Oxford employer: University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant research environment that fosters creativity and innovation in neuroscience. With access to cutting-edge facilities and a collaborative work culture, employees are encouraged to grow professionally through various development opportunities. Located in the historic city of Oxford, the university provides a unique blend of academic excellence and cultural richness, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers in research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Analyst (3 Year FTC) in Oxford
✨Join Business Intelligence Meetups
We can’t stress enough how beneficial it is to attend local Business Intelligence meetups and events. These gatherings often bring together industry professionals and can lead to short-term, temporary roles—perfect if you’re looking to land something quickly. Plus, you’ll get to learn some insider tips and tricks from those already in the game!
✨Leverage Online Freelancing Platforms
Since you’re searching for a temporary gig, check out freelancing platforms like Upwork or Freelancer where businesses often post short-term BI projects. This can be a great way to build your portfolio and gain experience while also showcasing your skills to potential future employers.
✨Show Off Your BI Projects
Whether you’re working on a personal project or a past endeavour, put your work out there! Create a public portfolio that highlights your best Business Intelligence analyses or visualisations. It’ll give you a leg up when you’re approaching companies like University of Oxford, showing exactly what you can bring to the table.
✨Tap Into University or College Networks
If you're currently studying or recently graduated, make sure to use your university's career services. Many educational institutions have partnerships with companies looking for temporary talent in Business Intelligence, so keep an eye out for exclusive job postings or internship fairs that could lead to a quick placement.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Analyst (3 Year FTC) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Data Skills:In business intelligence, it's crucial to highlight your analytical skills and experience with data tools. Make sure your CV showcases any relevant software you’ve used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Add specific examples of how you've used data to drive insights or improvements in previous roles, even if they were in academic projects or internships.
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role like this, hiring managers often have limited time to sift through applications. Get straight to the point in your CV and cover letter. Use bullet points for your achievements, showcasing the impact you've made, like percentage increases in efficiency or specific results from your analyses.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your adaptability. Mention your quick learning abilities and experiences where you adapted to new tools or processes rapidly. This will show that you can jump in and start contributing effectively from day one at University of Oxford.
Craft a Tailored Motivation Statement:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re excited about this temporary role at University of Oxford. Talk about your interest in business intelligence and how this position aligns with your career goals. Remember, it’s not just about what you can offer, but why you’re passionate about becoming part of their team, even for a short time!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Oxford
✨Brush Up on Your Data Skills
For a business intelligence role, you'll want to showcase your analytical skills and familiarity with data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Be ready to tackle technical questions or case studies demonstrating your ability to interpret data and make insightful recommendations.
✨Plan Your Portfolio of Projects
Since this is a temporary position, we should highlight any past projects you've worked on in business intelligence. Prepare a portfolio that includes a couple of key pieces where you've effectively utilised data to drive decisions—this will show that you're not just a quick fix but someone who can deliver immediate value.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to hit the ground running, so be ready to discuss how you quickly adapt to new tools, teams, and environments. Share specific examples from previous experiences where you thrived under pressure or had to learn a new system or process in a short time frame.
✨Have Your Metrics Ready
In business intelligence, quantifying your impact is key. Come prepared to share metrics from your past work: think percentages, growth figures, or efficiency improvements. This will really help us paint a picture of how your contributions directly benefited those previous roles.