Job Description

Lead Business Analyst

Full Time / Permanent / salary from 54,000 / Office Based / Stoke

Water Plus, UK's largest water retailer for around 350,000 customers, has a really exciting opportunity for an experienced

Lead Business Analyst

, based at our Head Office in Stoke-on-Trent (ST4 4TW).

What's the role?

As our Lead Business analyst, you will ensure the design of our solutions satisfy business need and delivers the value described in the business case, whilst leading and developing a team of business analysts.

What are some of the duties I'll be doing?

Lead, coach, motivate and develop a team of business analysts. An active partner into the business, leading in a consultative way of working, being seen as the go to person for generation ideas and influencing the business. Design and develop business solution based on the business problem/s through workshops, interviews and meetings with key business users. Assess the needs of the business solution the benefit/costs and t- shirt size. Work with the PMO and Project managers to allocate and forecast resources for in flight and pipeline projects, recruiting new members with the requisite skills into the team. Work alongside the Project Managers to develop plans and required documents for example BRDs, impact assessments, user stories, scope etc. Forecast resourcing requirements on the project, to include BA, DME, Test, Business Users, MIBI etc. Work with the business/Project Managers identifying risk/issues on the business solution being proposed and throughout the project life cycle. Engage with the architect team for the proposed business solution. Work alongside the Test/UAT teams in designing test scenarios for both test and the business. Financial forecasting, budget tracking and reporting in line with Finance. Value add and results focused throughout the project lifecycle.

What are we looking for from you?

Essential:

To be a successful Lead Business Analyst, you will already have extensive experience as a Business Analyst.

A natural leader with experience of managing diverse stakeholders and bringing people together. You'll be a natural strategic thinker implementing best practice, improving business user experience, and adding value to the business. Display excellent analytical and an informed, evidence-based approach. Strong organisational skills, planning and self-management capability. The ability to work well under pressure and deliver to the project deadlines. Able to manage projects across people, process, technology and governance to meet the business users needs and outcomes. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders and present to a range of audiences, sometimes acting as a translator between parties. Excellent understanding of multiple change management methodologies, tools and techniques.

Desirable:

???????BCS accreditation Water Industry Experience Strong IT, data and business processes knowledge and skills. Further education in project management or previous project management experience Experience in people management

All offers are subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

What do we have to offer you?

A competitive salary from 54,000 dependent upon experience 25 days annual leave (pro-rata if you join part way through our annual leave year). Plus never work your birthday, Plus all Bank Holidays. Our holiday year runs from April to March; in February you'll have the opportunity to buy/sell annual leave. Free parking. Free Healthcare cashback Plan (re-claiming for spend on optical treatment or dental care and so much more). You can also choose to pay to upgrade your membership to include a partner and children. Pension scheme with employer contributions matched to 6%; Life Assurance. Confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Access to discounts and offers from 350+ top brands. Access to Water Plus Academy to develop personally and professionally, incl support with professional qualifications and study leave.

What is a Water Retailer and who is Water Plus?

When parliament approved The Water Bill in 2014, it declared that the water market could become competitive for non-domestic customers. It ruled that water wholesalers could no longer provide the retail element for their non-domestic customer. Water Plus is a Water Retailer, and we went live in 2017 as a joint venture between United Utilities and Severn Trent and our customers range from small independent businesses to some of the biggest names in the UK.

A few years on, we are an award-winning trusted water retail partner for around 350,000 non-domestic customers across England and Scotland. Amongst other accolades, we have recently won the UK Customer Satisfaction Award for Sustainable Customer Service for 2025, for our work with customers and employees - the second UK Customer Satisfaction Award we have won in two years.

Please note: We may close the advert at any time, therefore, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding your application, please email us at recruitment@water-plus.co.uk

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From 54,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

Please briefly summarise your skills and experience relevant to this opportunity. What is your salary expectation? What is your notice period?
Licence/Certification:

right to work in UK without employer sponsor now or future (required) ability to attend the Stoke Office, 5 days a week Mon-Fri (required) understanding of multiple change management methodologies (required) understanding of change management tools & techniques (required) BSC accreditation (preferred)
Work Location: In person