AddressA Global Charity located in Reading is seeking a Business Partner for Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT) to be part of their team on a permanent basis with hybrid working. Due to advances in technology, they are expanding their digital systems teams with this newly created role - DDaT Business Partner.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
They are an international not-for-profit organisation working to improve education outcomes around the world. They seek to improve education and transitions into work through expert research on what works. Their experts deliver highly contextualised programmes designed to transform education systems, schools and lives.
Their vision is a world in which all lives are transformed through excellent education. They strive to change education for good, grounding their work in research and evidence. They support leaders to raise standards, improve school performance, develop great teachers and open career pathways – transforming lives and futures in contexts as diverse as Brunei, Kenya, England, Rwanda and Dubai.
They combine global research and their longstanding expertise with regional knowledge to inform education policy and practice and deliver programmes around the world. Through their work and expertise – which spans from early years education right through to post-school careers – they seek to strengthen education systems, transform teaching and learning, ensure effective transitions into work, and contribute to sustainable global responses to key education challenges.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This role will be the key interface between their Digital, Data and Technology teams and the Commercial Bid Management team and operational departments operating in the UK, Africa and Asia. This role will form strong relationships with stakeholders across the organisation, understand their business objectives and challenges and, with DDaT colleagues, will formulate robust technology solutions to support their activities. The successful candidate will be an experienced technology practitioner and will have excellent communication skills.
Job Objectives:
Lead DDaT Business Partnering with the business, working closely with and representing the DDaT function to understand business strategy, operations, challenges and future plans and priorities.
Own and manage strategic relationships with global business stakeholders, representing their business within IT and vice versa.
Support the development of technology investment business cases by championing the commercial and operational business value of IT solutions.
Support bids and tenders, working closely with the business and the wider DDaT function to ensure the service/solution proposed will meet business need.
Consult with the Business Systems Manager when bids and tenders have identified areas were current technology solutions do not meet business needs and make objective recommendations regarding the relative fit of new technologies to business needs, representing the business needs and interests within DDaT.
Capture and shape business demand for new or changed products and services in their corporate function - ensuring their needs are considered and proposals are shaped, sized, aligned and prioritised.
Liaise with the Business Leads, SMEs and relevant DDaT functions - to collate, size and align technology demand in support of value-based outcomes, engaging back with stakeholders on technology prioritisation decisions.
Coach and partner Business Stakeholders on Business Change Management and Project Delivery.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives for constant value optimisation, such as integration & automation.
Assist Managers and staff in ensuring DDaT processes are understood and followed.
Work cooperatively with the technical design authority to design effective solutions.
Provide high level requirements for new business systems.
Work with business and the wider DDaT function to manage change processes necessitated by new systems.
Person Specification:
Knowledge
Essential:
Detailed practical knowledge of current best practice in information technology, particularly a good understanding of Project Delivery
Extensive knowledge of change management and business adoption of digital solutions
Prince 2 qualified or experience of working to a suitable alternative project management methodology
Understanding of 3rd party supplier management processes
Desirable:
Knowledge of IT within an education context
Experience
Essential:
Proven experience of working closely and successfully with stakeholders to identify technology solutions which meet business requirements
Experience of working within a mixed (in-house, third party, outsourced) technology environment
Experienced in successfully working with Project Delivery teams to implement projects and programmes to time, cost and quality
Portfolio or programme management experience
Experience in developing business or functional strategic plans and roadmaps
Experience in bringing an organisation on a change journey
Desirable:
Prior experience of business analysis
Demand management - qualifying, shaping and sizing solution concepts
Skills
Essential:
Ability to use various facilitation methods to elicit requirements whilst challenging the status quo and proposing improvements
Senior stakeholder relationship management and planning capability
Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to relate to a wide range of stakeholders
Ability to demonstrate leadership skills and inspire, motivate and encourage teamwork
High level of organisational skills
Value diversity and take pride in building a team that brings together diversity of thought, perspectives and expression
Working Hours
35hrs per week, flexible between 7am-3pm, 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm, 10am-6pm, etc.
BENEFITS
30 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rota)
6% matched pension scheme
Discounted gym memberships
Health care cash plan
Retail discounts
Cycle to work scheme
Wellbeing App
Death in service benefit
