Senior Business Analyst

Senior Business Analyst

Secretary and Registrar's Directorate

Business Improvement Services (BIS)

Fixed-term until 31 July 2014

Full time

£31,331 to £35,244 per annum, dependent on experience

Vacancy reference SRD 1061/13

Closing date 26 November 2013 at 12 noon

The University

Sheffield Hallam University is one of the UK's most progressive and innovative universities.

We pride ourselves on making a difference - to our students, our staff and to the businesses we work with. Our research and business ideas, alongside our sought after graduates, contribute to the economic and social development of both our region and to the UK as a whole.

Our teaching is first-rate and is supported by our world-class applied research. Our students are a diverse group and benefit from a tailored approach that helps them to get the most from their studies. We offer top quality teaching and learning facilities and the ability to learn flexibly in a way that best suits their needs. For example, we are one of the UK's leading universities in e-learning and offer a range of distance learning and part time courses as well as the more traditional full time courses. Our industry partners choose Sheffield Hallam because of our flexible, business led approach and our high quality research, facilities and students. Our partners include Sony, BP, NHS, Network Rail, Cisco, SAP and Microsoft.

Our facilities are state-of-the-art and we have invested heavily in new technology to ensure that our technological capability matches the cutting-edge approach of our teaching. We are recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning, e-learning and employability.

Although currently in the process of review, the University's Corporate Plan for 2008-2013 outlines our priorities and is available to download www.shu.ac.uk/about/foi/priorities.html

Business Improvement Services (BIS)

Business Improvement Services was established three years ago under the leadership of the Secretary and Registrar. This service has teams which provide the University with professional skills in:

 Programme and Project Management

 Portfolio Support, Programme Office and Assurance  Business Analysis and Process Improvement

Business Improvement Services plays a significant role in the delivering a portfolio of cross

organisational business transformation programmes that underpin the objectives of the University's Corporate Plan; in particular improving operational efficiency and effectiveness. The Business

Improvement Portfolio presently includes corporate programmes to review the University's professional administrative services, to improve MI and corporate planning processes, to realise the full potential of

our HR management system, to improve the provision of MI and statutory reports in relation to our research and to improve processes and systems that support the management of the student experience and lifecycle.

Our Senior Business Analysts use their skills to work with colleagues responsible for delivering business improvements. They contribute to the continued development and improvement of our business analysis services, tools and techniques, the establishment of a process architecture, the integration of process governance into our operational management and an education programme which builds capacity across the University.

We are looking for an individual with personal qualities that fit our ways of working - drive, enthusiasm, and creativity, with excellent analytical and interpersonal skills. Educated to degree standard (or equivalent) with sound analytic, modelling and specification techniques skills effectively, you will work on various business improvement projects associated with our corporate change programmes. Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism and a strong focus on delivering a high quality service are important requirements for every member of the department as our work involves working with a wide range of staff across the University, including members of the University Executive. Analysts frequently work with various and diverse groups and you will need to have extremely good facilitation skills. Our fast moving, deadline-driven environment will require a proactive approach to working on your own initiative and the ability to prioritise a varied workload is essential.

To succeed in this role you must be able to manage their workload autonomously, be open to flexible working and a commitment to developing yourself in the role. You will be a dynamic and dedicated individual who thrives from work in a stimulating and varied environment of change and improvement activities. Experience from other organisations where you will have supported the delivery of

transformation will be an advantage.

Location

City Campus

This post is based at our City Campus which is situated next to Sheffield’s train and coach stations and has easy access to the M1. It is in the heart of the city centre, next to shopping areas, art galleries, theatres, cinemas bars and cafés and the recently developed Winter Gardens. There is plenty to do and see in your lunch break or after work.

Discussion and selection event

For informal enquiries regarding this post please contact Jo Solecki (Business Improvement Manager) on:

Telephone 0114 225 3841

Email [email protected]

Proposed selection event

The selection event for this post will comprise of an interview, test and presentation. The title of the presentation will be confirmed when candidates are invited to interview.

Job share

Whereas the University is committed to flexible working and the majority of vacancies are available for job share applicants this role is unlikely to be suitable for work on a job share basis.

Job description

Job Title Senior Business Analyst

Faculty/Dept Business Improvement Services

Grade 7

Reports to Business Improvement Manager Direct reports N/A

Role Purpose As part of the Business Improvement Analysis team, contribute to the delivery of a service providing:

 Business case development and benefits analysis  Capturing, mapping and documenting processes  Gathering and analysing the business rules and/or

operational issues

 Facilitating service and process improvement reviews  Analysing and modelling services, processes and

associated high level data

 Articulating and producing requirement specifications  User Acceptance testing of technical and non-technical

projects

 Training and developing staff in the use of process analysis and management

Contribute to the University's change portfolio in relation to operational effectiveness and in an increasingly demanding financial environment, vies the provision of this service Contribute to the development of business analysis and

improvement tools and techniques that are appropriate to the HE environment, used to facilitate delivery of the University's change portfolio

Deliver and contribute to the development of business process management skills across the University.

Responsibilities

 Design, plan and deliver business improvement and analysis projects / work packages, working with colleagues from across the University.

 Maintain effective stakeholder relationships with the business areas, information systems and technology service (IS&T), and project/programme managers in relation to work assignments  Support business managers in developing business cases; analysing benefits , impacts and

costs, and undertaking an appraisal of options in relation to investment and feasibility

 Support business process managers in capturing, analysing and documenting their processes  Work with business leads and project managers to identify and communicate operational issues,

 Facilitate business process improvement workshops, guiding the business through the design or re-design of processes that will enable improvement in service efficiencies, operational effectiveness and the customer experience

 Work with colleagues in the business and IS&T to develop and produce system specifications that fulfil the business requirements

 Test new processes and systems so as to demonstrate business acceptability, by producing user test strategies and plans, designing process walkthrough activities etc.

 Carry out health-checks and post-implementation reviews of projects

 Develop, document and promote high quality tools for use in business and process analysis and improvement

 Design, delivery and promote business and process analysis training and development across the University.

 Carry out any other such duties the Head of Department may require.

Attributes

 Stakeholder/Customer Focus Managerial/Supervisory  One Team Worker Managerial/Supervisory  Responsiveness to Change Managerial/Supervisory  Developing Self and Others Managerial/Supervisory  Self Confidence and Initiative Managerial/Supervisory

Person Specification

Job Title Senior Business Analyst

Faculty / Directorate Secretary and Registrar's Directorate / Business Improvement Services

(* Essential or Desirable) Details E* D* Evidence**

Attainment

Evidenced achievements e.g. relevant qualifications (or equivalents), training, membership of professional bodies

Educated to degree level or equivalent Formal training in business analysis

Training in project management lifecycles or methodologies

ISEB Business Analysis qualification E E D D AF + Q/C AF + Q/C AF + Q/C AF + Q/C Experience

Type of experience and specific knowledge required for this job

Proven experience working as an analyst on complex change activities

Understanding and experience of Lean and waste elimination, in relation to process and operational service improvement

Business case development, including identifying impacts, benefits, and costs Developing and documenting business

requirements, their rules, operational issues and customer needs

Developing and documenting requirements using UML diagramming techniques, e.g. Use Cases, high level data models

Capturing, mapping and documenting processes using modelling tools & techniques that are fit for purpose. E.g. BPMN

Using process improvement techniques e.g. value stream mapping, activity based costing, voice of the customer.

Producing test strategies, plans and scripts to support user acceptance testing

Ability to work with business managers to develop and implement process measures and metrics

Training and developing staff in the use of business analysis, process management and service improvement techniques

Working in projects that are managed using industry standard methodologies e.g. PRINCE2 Working in the HE sector

E E E E E E E E E E D D AF + I + T + P AF + I + P AF + I AF + I + T AF + I + T AF + I + T AF + I + P AF + I AF + I + P AF + I AF + I + P AF + I

**Evidence/Method of Assessment:

AF = Application form G = Group Exercise I = Interview

In-tray = In-tray Exercise IT = IT Test OT = Occupational Test

P = Presentation PT = Psychometric Testing Q/C = Qualifications/Certificates

Technical competencies Technically skilled in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Visio

Experience of working with a case tool

E D

AF AF Competencies

Skills and abilities required for effective performance e.g. numeracy, attention to detail, oral and written communication, planning and organising, leadership skills, ability to cope with conflicting

demands/deadlines

Appointment to this post is being made using the Professional Services Attribute Framework (see job description for details)

Ability to be innovative and be a proven problem-solver

Able to facilitate stakeholders with conflicting agendas to reach agreement (in terms of proposed solution to problems etc.)

Able to work collaboratively with stakeholders and build trust

Able to communicate effectively with a range of people and deliver messages appropriately to the target audience

Able to contribute to the effective working of teams

Able to listen, learn and understand new concepts quickly

Able to work on own initiative with minimum supervision, and to work effectively within a team

Ability to work with high demands on your time and to be able to prioritise conflicting demands, to plan and meet deadlines

E E E E E E E E E I + P AF + I + P AF + I + P AF + I + P AF + I + P AF + I + P AF + I + P AF + I + P AF + I + P Other relevant information

e.g. shift work or weekend working, travel in UK or abroad (state approximate frequency i.e. travel abroad twice a year)

How to apply

Complete the Sheffield Hallam University application form and email it to [email protected]. Call us on 0114 225 3950 if you have any questions about completing the form or the recruitment process. You will be informed as soon as possible after the closing date if you have been short listed.

If you have not received notification from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume you have not been successful on this occasion.

Non-EU nationals

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are entitled to live and work in the UK. If a job requires highly specialist skills and qualifications we may be able to provide a Certificate of

Sponsorship to help you gain entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK from the UK Border Agency. Further guidance on the UK Border Agency Points Based System can be found at

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. You can also email the Human Resources Directorate at [email protected].

Equality and diversity drive our success

Equality and diversity are essential to our academic and business strengths. We believe that excellence comes through recognising the value of each individual.

We aim to create an environment that respects the value of each individual and the diversity of staff and students in the University's community. This will enable them to contribute fully, and to derive the maximum benefit and enjoyment from their involvement in University life.

Positive about disability

We use the symbol on the right, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. It also enables people with a disability to know which employers will be positive about their abilities.

All applicants who meet the minimum criteria (based on the person specification) for a job vacancy and have declared their disability are guaranteed an interview and considered on their abilities.

Stonewall Diversity Champions programme

We are members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions programme, reinforcing both our commitment to improving the workplace culture for lesbian, gay and bisexual employees and our recognition that people perform better when they can be themselves. Stonewall recognises Sheffield Hallam as a forward thinking 21st century employer which aims to recruit, recognise, and support the very best people regardless of background.

Trade unions

We are committed to working in partnership with staff representatives. You are welcome to join a trade union, professional association or staff organisation and participate in its activities. We recognise the following unions for the purposes of collective bargaining UNISON, GMB, T&GWU, UNITE, UCU.

Benefits of working for us

We offer generous holiday entitlements - annual leave entitlement is a minimum of 25 days (pro rata if you work part-time) and rises depending on staff group and grade. In addition to the eight standard UK bank holidays, six extra statutory days are provided for extended University closure around some UK public/holidays.

We understand the need for a good work-life balance. That's why we support and operate a number of flexible working schemes including job-share and flexible working hours where applicable.

We operate an incremental grade structure. This means that you will be eligible to receive an annual pay increase (subject to satisfactory performance) until your salary reaches the maximum salary for your grade.

Our defined benefit pension schemes are a real asset to your peace of mind. Depending on the job you're appointed to, you will be entered into either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), or remain in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) if you are a current member.

We also offer many other benefits including Travel discounts, Family Friendly Schemes, Health and Wellbeing and Training and Development opportunities for staff. For more information about the benefits available to you, visit www.shu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/documents/benefits.html

Living and working in Sheffield

Sheffield is the greenest city in England. We have over 200 parks and woodlands and a third of the city is in the Peak District National Park. We have excellent rail links to all major cities and the city centre is in walking distance of both our campuses.

For more information, visit www.shu.ac.uk/jobs/vacancies/documents/lawisheff.html

Other important information

All appointments are made subject to confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory declaration of health from the occupational health consultant to make sure you are medically able to carry out the type of work involved in the post. Appointments are also subject to receipt of satisfactory references and any other checks that may be required for the role.

We comply fully with requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. This requires us to tell you we will:  hold details of your name, address and the post applied for on computer to assist the

 recruitment process

 hold the information on your equal opportunities monitoring form, to monitor effectiveness of our policies

 retain records for unsuccessful applicants for one year, after which time the records are destroyed