Business Intelligence Senior Manager - Band 8b
Job summary
We are looking for an innovative and experienced Business Intelligence Senior Manager to lead the development of high-quality BI, reporting and insight for NHS Essex ICB. This is a senior leadership role within the Data Analytics and Population Health Intelligence function, working alongside Data Engineering and Advanced Analytics colleagues to support strategic commissioning, performance oversight, service improvement and population health priorities.
You will lead the BI function, setting standards for dashboards, reporting products, data visualisation, insight generation and analytical quality. Help ensure that senior leaders, programme boards and system partners have access to clear, reliable and actionable intelligence to support decision-making across Essex.
This is an opportunity to shape a modern BI service for a changing ICB, with a strong focus on automation, self-service reporting, data storytelling, continuous improvement and making better use of NHS data and digital tools.
Main duties of the job
You will lead and develop the ICBs BI function, managing BI priorities, reporting standards, dashboard development and the delivery of insight products that support strategic commissioning, assurance and improvement. You will work closely with data engineering, advanced analytics, digital and information governance colleagues to strengthen the end-to-end data, reporting and intelligence service.
Key responsibilities include leading the development of automated and user-centred dashboards, improving reporting quality and consistency, interpreting complex NHS datasets, supporting programme boards and senior leadership discussions, and building BI capability across the team. The role will also support effective use of tools such as Power BI, SQL, Microsoft data platforms and the NHS Federated Data Platform.
We are looking for someone with substantial experience of leading BI, analytics, reporting or intelligence services in the NHS, wider healthcare or a similarly complex environment. You will combine strong technical BI knowledge with inclusive leadership, clear communication, stakeholder management and a commitment to innovation, improvement and data-driven decision-making.
About us
NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
The Business Intelligence Senior Manager will provide senior leadership for the ICBs business intelligence function, ensuring that strategic commissioning, performance oversight, quality assurance, contracting, planning and transformation are supported by timely, reliable and actionable intelligence. The postholder will lead the design, development and continuous improvement of BI products, reporting suites, dashboards and insight packs that translate complex NHS data into clear intelligence for decision-making. The role will work alongside the Head of Data Engineering and Head of Advanced Analytics as part of the senior leadership structure within Data Analytics and Population Health Intelligence, directly supporting the Director of Data Analytics and Population Health Intelligence.
The Business Intelligence Senior Manager will be required to:
- Lead the ICBs BI function, setting standards for reporting, dashboard development, data visualisation, insight generation and analytical quality.
- Develop and maintain a clear BI work programme that balances statutory reporting, regular performance reporting, strategic commissioning requirements and ad hoc intelligence requests.
- Establish clear intake, prioritisation and delivery processes for BI requests, ensuring that resources are focused on work that supports strategic commissioning, assurance, improvement and value for money.
- Lead the development of accessible, automated and user-centred dashboards and reporting products that support decision-making across the ICB and wider system.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement in BI practice, including improved use of automation, self-service reporting, data storytelling, visualisation standards and modern NHS analytical tools.
- Work closely with data engineering colleagues to improve the quality, accessibility and reliability of data pipelines, data models and reporting infrastructure.
- Work with advanced analytics and population health intelligence colleagues to ensure BI products are aligned with wider insight, evaluation and population health priorities.
- Use complex NHS datasets across activity, quality, finance, workforce, access, outcomes and inequalities to provide actionable intelligence for commissioners, programme boards and senior leaders.
- Support effective use of the NHS Federated Data Platform, Microsoft data and analytics tools, Power BI, SQL and other approved platforms to improve reporting, insight and operational intelligence.
- Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making, supporting colleagues to interpret BI products accurately and use intelligence to guide commissioning priorities, service redesign and improvement.
- Build effective working relationships with BI, analytics and information teams across NHS providers, local authorities and other system partners to support a coordinated view of demand, capacity, performance and outcomes.
- Lead and develop the BI team, including day-to-day line management, objective setting, appraisal, development, performance management and capability building.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the ICB in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
- From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.
- From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
- From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Policy and service development
- Develop, implement and continuously improve BI standards, processes and service models across the ICB.
- Translate strategic commissioning, assurance and improvement priorities into clear BI requirements, reporting products and delivery plans.
- Lead service improvement within the BI function, using feedback, user testing, automation and good practice in data visualisation to improve the quality and usefulness of BI products.
- Contribute to relevant ICB policies and procedures relating to BI, reporting governance, data quality, information standards and safe use of data.
Strategy and analysis
- Use complex NHS datasets, including activity, quality, finance, workforce, access, outcomes, inequalities and contracting data, to inform strategic commissioning and system oversight.
- Lead the interpretation of complex quantitative and qualitative information, ensuring analysis is translated into clear insight, risks, opportunities and recommended actions.
- Develop and oversee dashboards, scorecards, performance packs and analytical products that support programme boards, senior leadership discussions and commissioning decisions.
- Promote data storytelling and effective visualisation so that complex information is presented in a way that is accurate, accessible and meaningful to non-technical audiences.
- Work with population health intelligence and advanced analytics colleagues to ensure BI products support prevention, inequalities, neighbourhood health and the wider strategic commissioning cycle.
Planning and organisation
- Develop project and / or programme plans to drive delivery of complex analytical and business intelligence requirements
- Manage delivery against agreed project / programme plan, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
- Support development of the annual business plan for the analytical and population health intelligence unit
Communications and Partnerships
- Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
- Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
- Manage complex and contentious situations with stakeholders
- Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as needed
- Effective engagement with patients and the public as required
- Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of complex projects or programmes that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
- Sharing complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing
- Manage conflict, find compromise and build consensus where needed to drive progress in delivery
Financial and resource management
- Support effective management of BI resources, including prioritisation of work, use of analytical capacity and contribution to budget planning for the Data Analytics and Population Health Intelligence function.
- Ensure that BI products and reporting processes support value for money by reducing duplication, improving automation and enabling better use of intelligence in commissioning and assurance.
Team management and capability building
- Develop and lead the BI team, including recruitment, onboarding, objective setting, appraisal, staff development and performance management.
- Build BI capability across the function, including technical skills, data visualisation, insight development, quality assurance, user engagement and customer-focused delivery.
- Support staff through ICB transition, ensuring the BI function is able to respond to changing organisational priorities and the future NHS operating model.
- Work collaboratively with data engineering, advanced analytics, digital and information governance colleagues to strengthen the end-to-end data, reporting and intelligence service.
- Act as Information Asset Owner where nominated, taking responsibility for the management of information assets created and used by the BI team.
Other
- Use initiative and work autonomously to deliver the requirements of the role.
- Undertake primarily desk-based work requiring use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in online or in-person meetings.
- Be expected to work on site in line with organisational policy, including attendance at ICB or partner locations where required.
- Use relevant BI, analytical and productivity tools, including Microsoft 365, Excel, PowerPoint, SQL, Power BI, Azure-based tools, NHS Federated Data Platform products and other approved reporting platforms.
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, all senior leader portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:
-ICB senior leadership
-SIRO, DPO and Information Governance teams
-Health & Wellbeing Board officers and senior staff
-Local Authority partners
-NHS Providers
-NHSEI regional partners
-VCFSE sector, local health entrepreneurs, campaigns groups and social media influencers and local employers
-Regional and national FDP teams
-Data, BI and analytical teams in system partners, including NHS providers and local authorities
Person Specification
Governance and Assurance
- Understanding of reporting governance, quality assurance, documentation, version control, data definitions and standards required for reliable BI products.
- Able to work autonomously within agreed governance arrangements, escalating risks, issues and decisions appropriately.
- Understanding of data governance, data quality, information governance and safe use of data in BI and reporting environments.
Experience
- Substantial experience of leading BI, analytics, reporting or intelligence services within the NHS, wider healthcare or a similarly complex data-rich environment.
- Strong technical understanding of BI tools and methods, including Power BI, SQL, Excel, data modelling, data visualisation and reporting quality assurance.
- Knowledge of the NHS operating environment, ICB responsibilities, strategic commissioning, performance oversight, population health, health inequalities and system partnership working.
- Experience of managing complex, sensitive or confidential information and presenting intelligence clearly to senior leaders, programme boards and non-technical audiences.
Partnerships & Communities
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries with NHS providers, local authorities, regional teams or other partners to develop shared reporting, insight or improvement products.
- Able to represent the BI function credibly in internal and external meetings, explaining technical issues clearly and constructively.
- Excellent influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with ability to balance competing priorities and build consensus around BI priorities.
Strategy & Analysis
- Able to translate strategic commissioning, performance, quality, planning and transformation priorities into clear BI requirements, delivery plans and reporting products.
- Able to turn complex information into clear data stories, dashboards, briefings and presentations for senior, operational and non-technical audiences.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify risks and opportunities, and make evidence-based recommendations.
Qualifications
- Educated to masters level in a relevant analytical, informatics, data, public health, economics, operational research, business intelligence or management discipline, or equivalent senior professional experience.
- Evidence of sustained continuing professional development relevant to BI, analytics, leadership, data management, improvement or NHS intelligence.
People & Culture
- Experience of leading and developing teams, including objective setting, appraisal, coaching, performance management, recruitment and capability building.
- Evidence of inclusive, compassionate and collaborative leadership, with commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, organisational learning, staff development and building a positive analytical culture.
Personal Attributes and Values
- Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wide health system
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Essex Integrated Care Board
Address
Seax House
Victoria Road South
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk