Lead Business Analyst - Water in Bradford, Yorkshire

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£50,622 -£63,277), annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year), attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution), development opportunities in line with the Lead Business Analyst Water progression plan, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra 2 wellness days, life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary, and a great benefits package including health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover. Additional benefits include retail savings scheme, online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: West Yorkshire / Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week). This role will initially be based in Bradford but will move to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026.

Work type: Permanent, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Business Analyst - Water to join the IT team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.

What we do: We ensure that over 5.4 million people living in the region can rely on our services, providing clean and safe drinking water and managing wastewater. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to manage Yorkshire's water sustainably.

The IT function is crucial in meeting the changing expectations of customers and regulators. Yorkshire Water is making significant investments in technology to enhance resource management and customer service. The Lead Business Analyst will play a pivotal role in driving business change while building technical and data capability.

The Water E2E programme is our flagship ERP initiative, spanning SAP, CRM, GIS, and other integrated systems supporting workforce operations and the end-to-end customer journey.

As our Lead Business Analyst - Water, you will:

• Lead scoping, requirements gathering, and prioritisation for high-impact, strategic initiatives.
• Lead and develop a team of up to 10 Business Analysts, offering clear support and guidance.
• Facilitate business change by translating requirements into actionable specifications for IT and operational solutions.
• Influence senior leadership to embrace process and organisational transformation.
• Build deep expertise in business processes and operating models to identify opportunities for sustainable improvement.
• Secure stakeholder and customer sign-off for change and IT-related requirements.
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and deliver implementation plans across systems, processes, and behaviours.
• Select and apply the most effective business analysis tools, techniques, and methodologies (including predictive and agile approaches).
• Define and maintain organisational standards for requirements management.
• Use industry-recognised techniques to elicit business needs and resolve conflicting requirements.
• Ensure IT solutions deliver maximum value and align with business goals.
• Champion innovation and communicate the value of IT across the organisation.
• Contribute to IT contingency and security planning in line with business continuity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners to influence strategic roadmaps and ensure value for money.
• Uphold professional standards and corporate values, continuously improving technical solutions.
• Drive governance and secure business commitment through formal requirements sign-off.
• Define service level agreement specifications where appropriate.
• Provide post-implementation support to ensure benefits are realised and sustained.
• Maintain high standards of knowledge and capability within the Business Analysis Centre of Excellence.
• Lead and inspire the Business Analysis Community of Practice.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Build and maintain influential relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, suppliers, and partners.
• Demonstrate a curious and questioning mindset, always seeking deeper understanding.
• Show a strong commitment to learning, personal growth (for self and others), and continuous improvement.
• Communicate effectively with excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal skills.
• Highly motivated and self-sufficient, with a clear sense of purpose and a proactive approach to responsibility and ownership.
• Capable of independently managing issues and projects on behalf of the leadership team.
• Make decisions that contribute to organisational goals and impact financial performance.
• Influence others effectively to drive activity completion and outcomes.
• Possess strong organisational and personal time management skills.
• Experience delivering Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programmes.
• Experience leading change initiatives across SAP, CRM, and/or GIS programmes.
• Embody a customer-first mindset and consistently deliver high-quality service.
• Holds a broad understanding of business operations alongside deep specialist expertise; handles complex tasks involving technical, financial, and quality dimensions.
• Apply advanced problem-solving skills to identify root causes and recurring patterns.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we support flexible working patterns and job share options to help you balance work and home life.

If you have experience in Business Analysis Water and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. The closing date for this role is the 2nd of June 2026. No agencies please.