Business Data Manager and Analyst

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for leading the Trust's activity planning, forecasting, business intelligence and NHS Payment Scheme functions, providing specialist analytical expertise to support operational, financial and strategic decision-making across the organisation. Acting as the Trust's lead specialist for activity and income intelligence, the role ensures that robust information, forecasting methodologies and reporting frameworks are in place to support service delivery, financial sustainability and contractual compliance.

The post holder will lead the development, implementation and maintenance of sophisticated business intelligence solutions, including Power BI dashboards, SQL databases, automated reporting tools and other analytical products. They will identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, standardisation and digital transformation, ensuring reporting processes remain accurate, timely and fit for purpose. Responsibility includes leading departmental projects relating to automation, business intelligence development and data transformation, ensuring appropriate governance, documentation and project management processes are maintained throughout.

A key element of the role is the development of complex activity, demand and capacity models to support annual operational planning, medium-term financial planning and service transformation initiatives. The post holder will produce detailed activity and income forecasts using a range of data sources including demographic trends, population health needs, commissioner intentions, waiting list trajectories and operational assumptions. They will undertake scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to evaluate risks, opportunities and potential impacts on service delivery and financial performance, presenting findings and recommendations to senior management and executive teams.

The role is accountable for the development and delivery of the Trust's annual activity plan and associated forecasting methodologies, ensuring consistency of approach and reporting standards across the organisation. The post holder will act as the corporate lead for activity planning and analytical intelligence, working collaboratively with operational, clinical and finance colleagues to translate complex data into meaningful information that supports decision-making at all levels of the organisation.

The post holder will provide expert advice and interpretation on all aspects of the NHS Payment Scheme, national tariff arrangements, commissioning guidance and contract management processes. They will maintain an in-depth understanding of evolving national guidance and assess the implications for the Trust's income position, ensuring compliance with national requirements whilst maximising opportunities for income recovery and growth. Acting as a senior advisor to Trust management and commissioners, the post holder will support and facilitate contract negotiations, providing specialist knowledge and robust analytical evidence to inform discussions.

The role includes responsibility for the monitoring and analysis of contractual activity and income performance throughout the financial year. This will include identifying, investigating and reporting significant variances, analysing underlying causes and providing recommendations to support corrective action where required. The post holder will lead on monthly and year-end contract reconciliations with external commissioners, ensuring all submissions are accurate, evidence-based and fully supported by detailed activity analysis.

The post holder will be responsible for the integrity, validation and reconciliation of activity and income datasets, including the reconciliation of SLAM data to national data sources and other contractual reporting systems. They will proactively investigate data quality issues, work with Information and operational teams to resolve discrepancies and ensure that reliable information is available to support organisational planning and reporting requirements.

Working closely with divisional and corporate teams, the post holder will provide detailed analysis and intelligence regarding activity, performance, income and service utilisation. They will develop a detailed understanding of service line performance and support the production of business cases, investment proposals, service redesign initiatives and transformational programmes through sophisticated analytical and financial modelling. The role requires the ability to interpret highly complex datasets and communicate findings in a clear and meaningful way to both technical and non-technical audiences.

The post holder will also be responsible for developing and delivering training programmes on the NHS Payment Scheme, activity planning and business intelligence tools to both finance and non-finance colleagues across the Trust. They will promote the effective use of information and analytical techniques to improve organisational understanding and support evidence-based decision-making.

As a senior specialist within the organisation, the post holder will maintain expert knowledge of NHS finance, contracting, activity planning and information systems. They will ensure that all analytical methodologies, reporting processes and operational procedures are thoroughly documented, regularly reviewed and continuously improved. The role requires excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills, enabling the post holder to work effectively with senior clinicians, operational managers, finance colleagues, commissioners and external stakeholders to deliver organisational objectives and support the long-term financial and operational sustainability of the Trust.

Person specification

Qualifications or their equivalent

Essential criteria

• Masters Degree
• Equivalent experience

Desirable criteria

• CCAB Qualified

Experience

Essential criteria

• 5 years' senior management experience in a healthcare data environment.
• Extensive understanding of NHS clinical datasets.
• Experience of systems development.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working within a contracting / commissioning role within an NHS organisation
• Experience of advising finance and non-finance managers on costing and system issues.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria

• High level of analytical skills with ability to present highly complex information
• Expert knowledge of NHSPS
• Be able to participate fully and offer ideas during discussions regarding interpretations of policy or when initiating new procedures.

Desirable criteria

• Project planning skills

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills with ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels within the organisation

Desirable criteria

• Ability to travel to external venues for meetings or training events

Important information about your application

1. All correspondence will be sent to you via the email address you applied from. Please ensure you check your emails regularly.
2. References - please ensure you provide email addresses for all referees for the last three years of employment.
3. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from everyone regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, faith or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
4. Flexible working will be considered in line with Trust policies
5. New recruits are required to pay for their Disclosure and Barring Service check (and admin fee) prior to starting if the role requires a DBS check.
6. We work with 'trac.jobs' to support out recruitment process. If you have any queries regarding this please read this