Business Analyst (IT) - KTP Associate (fixed term for 18 months)

Location: Kidderminster, Worcestershire, UK

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Sunday 31 March 2024

Interview Date: Thursday 25 April 2024

Minster Micro Computers Limited and the College of Computing and Digital Technology at Birmingham City University (BCU) are looking to appoint a high calibre graduate (graduated within the last five years) as a Business Analyst (IT) KTP Associate to develop leadership capability, improve competitive advantage, and enhance its service-provision to new and existing customers.  

This is an exciting opportunity for the Business Analyst (IT) graduate to analyse an organisation and develop and implement a digital formation strategy to bring about IT enabled business change through the design, development and adoption of a bespoke business model that will allow them to grow their customer base and increase profitability.

Candidates applying should be knowledgeable in the following:

• A good understanding of collaborating across organisational boundaries to facilitate IT enabled business change from at least one year’s experience of the role
• Applying strategic analysis tools (e.g. value chain analysis)
• Utilising Design Thinking and running design thinking workshops (e.g. using journey maps)
• Practical working experience of Business Process Modelling and experience of application – using industry standard tools e.g. BPMN
• Developing & implementing change management plans
• Designing and developing dashboard systems for data-driven decision-making
• Preparing training modules and delivering training to stakeholders
• Project Management and implementation skills

This position forms part of the Knowledge Transfer programme (KTP), co-funded by a grant from Innovate UK and Minster Micro Computers Limited. It is essential you understand the fundamentals of how a KTP works between a business and the University and the vital role you will play if you successfully secure this position. The Business Analyst (IT) (KTP Associate) will have access to a wider range of benefits including a personal development budget of £3,000 to upskill during the project. For more information, please go to: http://bcuadvantage.co.uk/funding/knowledge-transfer-partnerships.

The successful candidate will be employed by Birmingham City University, working full time delivering an 18-month KTP project in partnership with Minster Micro Computers Limited.

Minster Micro Computers is a dynamic family run business who thrive on creating a partnership with their clients, offering tailored IT solutions to businesses across a range of industries. For more information, please visit www.minstermicro.co.uk

The successful candidate recruited for this position will be employed as Business Analyst (IT) (KTP Associate). This role presents an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with leading academics at Birmingham City University (BCU) to apply knowledge and technical innovation, delivered on site at the company. The Business Analyst (IT) (KTP Associate) should have a minimum 2.1 University qualification in a relevant subject area and should be graduated within the last five years.

Location and Reporting:

• The Business Analyst (IT) (KTP Associate) will be based on site at the company in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1HU. Please note this is NOT a remote working position
• The successful candidate will have full access to Birmingham City University’s resources such as offices, labs, and library to complete the KTP project (a workplan has already been written with KPIs and outcome deliverables) 
• The Business Analyst (IT) (KTP Associate) will be supported and mentored by academics from the College of Computing and Digital Technology to revise and  implement an existing workplan. The candidate is supported 0.5 days per week by an academic who will mentor the KTP Associate through the duration of the project
• The candidate will be expected to lead and deliver the KTP project plan managing the expectations of various stakeholders, under the guidance and support of both academic and a company supervisor throughout the project. A project plan is written for the candidate to follow and/or adapt in line with business requirements

Skills and Experience:

Person Specification:

You will hold a good first degree (equivalent to a First Class or 2:1 Honours) in a Business IT or Business Systems IT degree with experience in IT enabled business change and formulating recommendations to improve and support business activities.

A Master’s degree in a closely related discipline will be an added advantage.

Essential:

• Practical work experience of analysing business requirements with users and presenting solutions in meeting project objectives
• Completion of a substantial IT enabled business change project in either university or industry
• Understanding of the complex relationship between people, information, processes, and technology
• Keen interest in the developing enabling strategies to facilitate business growth throughout organisational change
• Analysing and redesigning business processes to improve performance and productivity and increased revenue
• Project and time management skills commensurate with the role of Marketing and Change Management Lead (KTP Associate) 

 Desirable:

• Practical working experience of Design Thinking to solve complex real-world problems
• Ability to apply strategic analysis tools
• Experience of developing data-driven dashboards
• Involvement in the implementation of a new culture of continuous improvement using soft systems methods
• Practiced in training and mentoring to embed new IT capabilities
• Ability to document strategic initiatives and new standard operating procedures including online manuals accessible to all employees
• Familiarity with Plan-Do-Check-Act team working to embed best practice

You will be challenged to develop a set of organisational, project management, and personal skills. You must be a proficient communicator and engage fully with all stakeholders, seminars, workshops and events to highlight the work of the project. 

Personal Skills:

• Excellent communication skills and should be willing to actively and effectively communicate between a range of specialists
• Effective interpersonal skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and business clients will be essential
• Ability to develop knowledge and skills in research methods and data analysis techniques
• Willingness to take ownership of the project, developing skills in project management, multidisciplinary working, etc.
• Excellent communication, time management and problem-solving skills and be confident in dealing with clients. Client management means critical and creative thinking capability, so they need to be open, friendly and adaptable
• Enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to take a proactive role that will successfully deliver the work plan in the proposal  

Interviews will take place on 25th April 2024

For further information please contact Sharon Cox at sharon.cox@bcu.ac.uk or Deb Evans at deb.evans@bcu.ac.uk

Further details:   

Job Description    

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so, and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.