Principal Business Analyst
| Posting date: | 09 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £78,237.0 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £78,237 (depending on experience) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 February 2026 |
| Location: | Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL9 7LH |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 4769175_1770637624 |
Summary
Your new company
Hays is working with The Guinness Partnership, who are one of the largest affordable housing providers in the country. They own and manage nearly 70,000 homes and provide housing services for nearly 160,000 residents. They employ over 2500 people across the UK and are an accredited Gold 'Investors in People'.
Your new role
The Principal Business Analyst will lead the Business Analysis practice, developing the team to deliver consistent high-quality outputs whilst ensuring effective collaboration on design and business requirements across the group.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop the Business Analysis practice, ensuring consistent, high‑quality standards and championing best‑practice methodologies.
- Collaborate with Operational Leads, Architecture, and Product Owners to analyse business functions and shape capability models that inform the Digital, Data & Technology Strategy and roadmap.
- Oversee pre‑project scoping activities, including feasibility studies and creation of business cases to support informed decision‑making.
- Establish and maintain a robust configuration management framework for Business Analysis artefacts across the change portfolio.
- Create and maintain enterprise‑level process architecture, ensuring alignment with ongoing project and continuous improvement activities.
- Provide leadership, direction, and quality oversight to Business Analysts, ensuring adherence to BA methodology and consistent delivery across all projects.
- Promote the use of technology and collaborative tools to manage requirements and process change throughout the software delivery lifecycle.
- Maintain strong awareness of leading business practices and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities for improved business efficiency.
What you'll need to succeed
- Experience working as a Principal or Lead Business Analyst with prior responsibility for a substantial BA practice / domain area, leading a team of circa 10+ people.
- Significant BA experience of shaping and leading large complex projects/programmes covering IT/Tech, Process and Business Change initiatives from concept to operational acceptance.
- Proven track record of delivering high‑quality business solutions across Agile and Waterfall environments, balancing time, cost, and quality.
- Strong analytical background with experience developing robust business cases, including fit‑gap analysis and cost‑benefit assessments.
- Proficient in the use of software delivery, collaboration and business process management tools e.g., Lucid Chart, Azure Dev Ops (ADO), MS Teams and Asana.
- Ability to lead, develop, engage, and influence stakeholders at all levels across the organisation.
- Strong knowledge and practical use of Microsoft 365 tools.
- Experience of Cloud Adoption projects and programmes is desirable.
- Professional qualification i.e. BCS Diploma in Business Analysis is essential.
- Process re-engineering/improvement or EA accreditations such as Lean Six Sigma or TOGAF are desirable.
What you'll get in return
You can expect a competitive salary in the region of £78,237 (depending on experience) along with a range of benefits including membership to a private healthcare scheme, contributory pension, flexible working, 25 days holiday (option to purchase up to 5 additional days) and hybrid working (2 to 3 days a week in the Oldham office).
*Please only apply if you have a proven track record at Principal / Lead BA level, managing a practice with at least 10+ heads, hold a valid BCS BA certification and are based within a commutable distance to Oldham. Applications that do not hit these criteria will be discounted.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
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