Data Innovation Business Analyst
Location: Warwick, 1-2 days on site
Contract Type: 6 months – possibility for extension or permanent role
Overview
As a Data Innovation Business Analyst within the Data Connect Innovation (DCI) Lab, you drive the exploration and delivery of cutting-edge data and AI solutions. You lead the end-to-end lifecycle of innovation initiatives – from idea inception and hypothesis development through rapid prototyping, partner collaboration, and value realisation. Operating at the intersection of business, technology, and strategy, you enable the organisation to experiment, learn, and scale data-driven opportunities that shape future capabilities and improve customer and operational outcomes.
The DCI Lab acts as an internal innovation service, supporting anyone across the organisation who has a data challenge or an idea they wish to explore. The team facilitates the definition, shaping, and delivery of proof of concepts (POCs), helping determine whether a proposed solution is viable and worth scaling into production.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end delivery of innovation initiatives, managing multiple proof-of-concepts (POCs) from ideation through to execution and value assessment
- Act as an innovation facilitator, supporting colleagues across the organisation to shape and refine data-driven ideas into structured, testable concepts
- Manage incoming ideas via a structured intake process (including submission forms), working with originators to refine and expand initial problem statements
- Support the formation of qualification groups to assess ideas, including identifying whether similar solutions already exist or are already in progress
- Translate complex business challenges into clear "as-is" and "to-be" states, forming the foundation for experimentation and POC design
- Collaborate with a network of external partners (approximately six key delivery partners) to design and deliver proof of concepts
- Develop and issue requests for information (RFI) and support partner engagement, selection, and coordination
- Support licensing, tooling, and access requirements where needed for POC delivery
- Ensure all activities align with DCI Lab governance, standards, and innovation principles
- Build and maintain senior stakeholder relationships, influencing decision‑making across both business and technical teams
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Data Science, Engineering, Product, and Design to deliver impactful solutions
- Champion emerging technologies (AI, data platforms, next-generation tools) to identify opportunities for business value
- Develop and deliver compelling storytelling and communication materials, including presentations, showcases, and innovation narratives
- Contribute to the innovation communication strategy, including shaping where and how initiatives are presented, while actively creating supporting content
- Ensure effective onboarding, governance, and operational setup for innovation initiatives
- Act as a key contributor to innovation strategy, identifying opportunities to scale successful experiments beyond initial POCs
Core Skills & Experience
- Hybrid skill set across Project Management, Business Analysis, and Technical Leadership
- Understanding of the end-to-end POC lifecycle, with the ability to shape, scope, and facilitate delivery rather than directly build solutions
- Strong curiosity and passion for emerging technologies, data, and AI-driven innovation
- Highly proactive, self-starting mindset with the ability to work autonomously and take ownership
- Excellent communication and content creation skills, with experience contributing to storytelling, presentations, and engagement materials
- Comfortable using tools such as Microsoft Office, Copilot, and Canva to support communication and delivery
- Ability to engage in credible technical conversations with internal teams and external partners
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including engagement with senior audiences
- Experience working in complex, cross-functional environments with multiple external partners
- Commercial awareness and ability to identify, articulate, and communicate value opportunities
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity, with a strong bias for action and delivery
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