Job summary

Are you an experienced Business Analyst who thrives in complex environments, enjoys solving difficult problems, and can confidently lead others through change and uncertainty?

The Health Research Authority (HRA) is delivering an ambitious digital transformation programme that will reshape how health and care research is supported across the UK. We're looking for an exceptional Lead Business Analyst to help drive this transformation and lead our Business Analysis capability.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in developing products and services that support researchers, NHS organisations, regulators, universities and industry partners, ultimately helping to improve the UK research landscape.

The roleAs Lead Business Analyst, you'll set the direction for business analysis in the digital transformation programme. You'll work across organisational boundaries, build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, and lead a team of Business Analysts delivering meaningful change.

You will play a key role in the delivery of our major transformation programme, which is developing of a new digital service, Plan and Manage Health and Care Research, to replace existing national systems.

This role requires someone who is equally comfortable operating at a strategic level and getting involved in the detail when needed. You'll help shape priorities, influence decision-making, and ensure solutions deliver value for users and the organisation.

Main duties of the job

What you'll be doing

Leading business analysis across large, complex programme delivering digital services
Managing, coaching and developing Senior Business Analysts and Business Analysts
Working closely with Product, Subject Matter Experts, User-Centred Design and Technical teams in an Agile environment
Building trusted relationships with stakeholders
Facilitating discovery, requirements definition, process modelling and improvement
Acting as a recognised expert and advocate for business analysis best practice

Who we're looking for

We're particularly interested in people who bring both technical excellence and strong leadership skills.

You'll have

Significant experience leading business analysis across complex programmes, portfolios or large-scale digital transformations
Experience working in an environment with competing priorities and changing demands
Experience leading, mentoring and developing Business Analysts and high-performing teams
Strong Agile delivery experience and an ability to adapt methods and approaches to suit the situation

What will make you stand out?

We're looking for a leader who remains calm and effective when priorities change.

Our environment is dynamic, and the most successful candidate will be someone who:

Thrives in ambiguity rather than being discouraged by it
Demonstrates resilience when programmes evolve or strategic decisions change direction
Helps teams stay focused, motivated and outcome-driven when plans need to adapt

About us

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.

Working at the HRA, we support flexible working, recognising that home based or hybrid arrangements provides us with the most productive environment to work well. Where possible, we'll offer a working pattern that suits you.

The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle, Manchester and Nottingham based staff can be office based and hybrid working arrangements are also possible. We encourage you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services.

We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.

When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.

We recognise that generative AI tools can be helpful in supporting applicants during the recruitment process, particularly for tasks such as proofreading, structuring, or refining written responses. However, we encourage candidates to use AI responsibly and sparingly. Applications should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and genuine qualifications.

Over reliance on AI-generated content can result in generic or inaccurate submissions that fail to meet the criteria or convey your individuality.

Misrepresentation of skills, knowledge, or experience, including through AI-generated content, may lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of your offer, or your dismissal if you do start with us. If you choose to use AI, please ensure it enhances rather than replaces your own input, and be transparent about its use where appropriate.

False and insincere examples go against our values of integrity and transparency.

Important informationWe are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered.

Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted.

Only the information provided in the application form will be considered. CVs will not be reviewed. We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.

Our fixed term roles are also open to applicants who wish to apply on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their line manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.

Organisational structure and directorate overviewThe HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources.

This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems.

The directorate owns, develops, and delivers the HRAs digital strategy in line with government digital and functional standards. The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.