Senior Business Analyst

The Post

Background

We are embarking on a bold and transformative initiative to implement a next-generation Student Information System (SIS) from Ellucian—an investment in the future of our institution and the experience we offer our students and staff.

This strategic transformation represents a significant opportunity to modernise the core systems that underpin our academic and administrative services. The new system will streamline operations, reduce complexity, and significantly enhance the digital experience across the university community.

At the heart of this change is our unwavering commitment to delivering a top 20 student experience—prioritising people, enabling smarter and more agile ways of working, and building a more connected and responsive university.

The Role

As a Senior Business Analyst, you will play a pivotal role in leading business analysis activities for a major digital transformation project. You will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to shape the future state of business processes, ensure alignment with strategic goals, and maximise the value of the Student Information System SaaS solution for the University.

Location: UK – flexible working arrangements available, including the possibility of full remote work

Description of Duties

• Lead the analysis, design, and improvement of the end-to-end student lifecycle and support processes in alignment with the capabilities of the SaaS Student Information System
• Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders, vendor teams, project managers, and business area leads to ensure that business needs are clearly articulated, prioritised, and effectively delivered through system configuration or process change
• Develop and maintain high-quality documentation including benefit realisation plans, process maps, and test plans, ensuring compliance with university and project standards
• Act as a key liaison between business workstreams, technical teams and the vendor, translating strategic goals into system and process requirements that drive operational efficiency and enhanced student engagement
• Mentor and support junior analysts and colleagues across the institution, sharing knowledge, providing guidance, and contributing to the uplift of business analysis capability within the University
• Proactively identify emerging issues, risks, and dependencies, and work with project and governance teams to define mitigation strategies and ensure successful delivery
• Champion continuous improvement, identifying opportunities for optimisation across systems and services, and embedding best practice in analysis, documentation, and service delivery
• Support change management and adoption activities, working with change leads to develop communication, training, and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Provide strategic input to project governance and decision-making forums, drawing on evidence-based analysis and sector insight
• Undertake additional duties aligned with the scope and level of the role, as required to support successful project delivery

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in delivering complex business analysis, systems implementation, or process improvement within Higher Education sector

Knowledge & Experience

• Significant experience leading business analysis workstreams in large-scale, complex transformation projects within the Higher Education sector
• Deep understanding of student lifecycle processes and how they are operationalised in a university environment
• Experience working with Student Information Systems e.g. Ellucian Banner, TRIBAL SITS
• Proven experience working with SaaS/cloud-based solutions, with a sound grasp of the constraints and opportunities presented by vendor-delivered systems
• Strong track record in using structured methodologies (e.g., BPMN) to deliver robust process and service design
• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholder relationships at all levels, including academic and professional services leadership
• Experience developing benefit realisation frameworks and undertaking cost/benefit analysis to inform investment and change decisions

Skills & Attributes

• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex situations, identify patterns, and recommend strategic solutions
• Proficient in business analysis tools and techniques including process modelling (BPMN 2.0), user stories, use cases, gap analysis, and stakeholder mapping
• Excellent communication skills – verbal, written, and visual – with the ability to present ideas clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Skilled workshop facilitator, with the ability to drive consensus and decision-making in multi-disciplinary groups
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure
• Ability to influence and challenge constructively, guiding stakeholders through ambiguity and change with professionalism and empathy
• Digitally confident and enthusiastic about adopting and promoting new tools and technologies to improve service delivery
• Committed to collaborative working and able to foster strong working relationships across teams and functions

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

• Business Analysis qualification or accreditation such as the BCS certificate in Business analysis at Practitioner level
• ILM Level 3 or higher leadership/management qualification
• ITIL Foundation certification.
• BPMN20 or other formal process modelling training

Knowledge & Experience

• Experience working with integrated Higher Education systems and environments.
• Understanding of project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, AgilePM)
• Familiarity with ITIL practices and customer service standards in an enterprise IT context
• Previous involvement in user adoption, skills development or change leadership activities

Skills & Attributes

• Agile mindset with a strong orientation towards learning, experimentation, and continuous improvement
• Ability to rapidly understand and assimilate new systems, processes, and institutional contexts

Additional Information

Full time

Fixed term until August 2027

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 04 January 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 23 January 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role may be eligible depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 2133.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills
  
  Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

• Delivering excellent service
  
  Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions
  
  Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

• Embracing change
  
  Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

• Using resources effectively
  
  Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

• Engaging with the wider context
  
  Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

• Developing self and others
  
  Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

• Working together
  
  Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

• Achieving Results
  
  Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health and our Institute of Aquaculture

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

Job Reference: SERV02009