Senior Business Analyst

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development. 

More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.

Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.

Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!

Job Location Cheshire, UK (Head Office)

The Senior Business Analyst leads business analysis and business architecture activities across the SKAO Business Portfolio. The role helps ensure that organisational needs are understood and translated into clear business capabilities, requirements, operating models and change initiatives. It provides analysis and business design to support portfolio delivery, organisational transformation and continuous improvement.

Working across all Directorates, the post-holder supports the development of business capabilities, operating models and business processes, helping to ensure that projects and change initiatives deliver measurable value and remain aligned with the Observatory's strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

• Lead end-to-end business analysis across business change initiatives and projects within the Business Portfolio.
• Define, validate and manage business requirements, maintaining clear traceability from the business need through to delivery and benefits realisation.
• Support the development of business cases, options analyses and recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Identify capability gaps, process improvement opportunities and organisational risks, and recommend practical solutions.
• Work closely with the Business Portfolio Manager, Business Transformation Project Managers and business stakeholders to support successful project delivery.
• Ensure business requirements and proposed solutions align with organisational strategy, governance and architectural principles.
• Lead business process analysis, optimisation, standardisation and automation initiatives, including the appropriate use of emerging technologies such as AI.
• Provide business analysis and business architecture advice to project teams and business stakeholders.
• Facilitate workshops, stakeholder engagement and requirements definition across the organisation.
• Monitor delivery against agreed business outcomes, measures of success and expected benefits.
• Build effective working relationships across Directorates to support business improvement and organisational change.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Professional experience in business analysis, business architecture and organisational change or transformation.
• Significant experience leading business analysis across complex organisational change, transformation programmes or strategic projects.
• Experience developing business capabilities, business processes and detailed business requirements.
• Experience supporting project and portfolio delivery within a complex matrix organisation.
• Experience preparing high-quality business cases, reports, requirements documentation and decision papers.
• Experience facilitating workshops and influencing stakeholders at all organisational levels without direct authority.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and provide clear recommendations.
• Working knowledge of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery methods, together with recognised business analysis and process-modelling techniques.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of Enterprise Architecture frameworks and practices.
• Experience within a science, engineering, research or international organisation.
• Experience developing target operating models, transition architectures and business roadmaps.
• A relevant professional qualification in business analysis, business architecture or continuous improvement.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.

Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants. 

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.

The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.

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