Business Analyst Lead

Railpen • Darlington, SC

18h • Hybrid

About The Position

At Railpen, we’re committed to securing our members’ futures and delivering long-term value through effective change, innovation and continuous improvement. As Business Analyst Lead, you’ll own and develop the Business Analysis capability across Change & Transformation (C&T), while championing the profession and its value across the wider organisation.
This is a people leadership and professional capability role rather than a direct delivery position. You’ll create the conditions for Business Analysts to perform at their best through clear leadership, coaching, consistent professional standards and meaningful development opportunities. While you won’t hold direct accountability for delivering business analysis, you’ll provide guidance and constructive challenge on complex analysis activities to improve the quality, clarity and value of outputs.
Working closely with Portfolio Managers, Project Managers, Business Architecture, PMO and Resource Planning colleagues, you’ll help create the conditions for successful delivery across the change portfolio through strong capability, consistency and professional development. As a visible leader within C&T, you’ll actively contribute to team anchor days, capability forums, coaching activities, workshops and other in-person events that strengthen collaboration, professional development and community.
To learn more about Railpen including our values, culture and purpose, visit our careers page here.

Requirements

• Significant experience leading Business Analysis activity within complex change, transformation or project delivery environments.
• Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teams through a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Strong coaching and mentoring capability, with the ability to adapt your approach to colleagues at different stages of their development and career journey.
• Strong understanding of Business Analysis disciplines, including requirements management, process analysis, stakeholder engagement, business process improvement and benefits-focused change.
• Experience establishing, implementing and continuously improving Business Analysis standards, methodologies, frameworks and ways of working.
• Experience building and leading professional communities that promote consistency, knowledge sharing and continuous professional development.
• The ability to provide guidance and constructive challenge on complex analysis activities, improving the quality, consistency and value of outputs.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and drive positive outcomes.
• Experience working across matrix structures to support resource deployment, capability development and succession planning.
• The ability to translate complex business challenges into clear, actionable outcomes.
• The ability to use performance trends, feedback and delivery insight to identify capability gaps and drive continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing or embedding AI-enabled Business Analysis practices within a change or transformation environment.
• Experience building and leading a professional community of practice across a complex or matrix organisation.
• Knowledge of business architecture principles and how they support effective change delivery.
• A relevant Business Analysis qualification or professional accreditation, such as BCS or equivalent.
• Experience within a financial services, pensions or investment environment.

Responsibilities

• Line-managing and developing Business Analysts, supporting their performance, wellbeing and career progression.
• Owning and continuously improving the Business Analysis capability, including professional standards, methodologies, frameworks, role expectations, development pathways, AI-enabled practices and ways of working.
• Building and leading a thriving Business Analysis community that strengthens professional identity and promotes consistency, collaboration, knowledge sharing and continuous development.
• Working with matrix managers, Portfolio Managers, Project Managers and Resource Planning colleagues to support effective deployment, utilisation, performance feedback and development of Business Analyst resource.
• Providing people-leadership input into resourcing decisions and using performance trends, feedback and delivery insights to identify capability gaps and development priorities.
• Coaching Business Analysts through complex analysis challenges and providing constructive challenge to improve the quality, clarity, consistency and value of outputs.
• Driving continuous improvement in Business Analysis practice, including requirements management, process analysis, stakeholder engagement, business improvement and alignment with business architecture principles.
• Building strong relationships with Project Management, Business Architecture and PMO leads to ensure Business Analysis standards support wider C&T delivery disciplines.
• Promoting a consistent, professional and proportionate approach to Business Analysis across programmes, projects and smaller change initiatives.
• Acting as a visible advocate for the Business Analysis profession across C&T and the wider organisation.

Benefits

• A competitive salary (depending on experience) plus generous annual bonus plan
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
• 4x Life Assurance cover
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed