Head of Data Business Partner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please ensure that you have read and understood the job description and person specification before applying.

Person Specification

Skills / Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in predictive, prescriptive, and evaluative analytics, with a strong grasp of statistical modelling, and emerging analytical techniques.
• Expertise in relevant tools, applications, and systems (e.g., Power BI, Python, R, SQL).
• Proven ability to embed analytics and evaluation into strategic decision-making processes, championing the use of data to drive service improvement and continuous improvement.
• Skilled in building relationships and influencing senior stakeholders across internal teams and external system partners, including ICBs and other NHS organisations.
• Ability to communicate complex insights clearly to varied audiences, challenge assumptions, and influence senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing analytical teams, set delivery standards, and shape strategic direction in alignment with organisational goals.
• Ability to scope, design and deliver complex analytical projects that inform strategic decision making and service improvement.
• Strong communicator who can build the reputation of the team and promote analytical outputs.
• Skilled in identifying business issues, selecting appropriate analytical approaches, and guiding others in best practice.
• Technical knowledge of data architecture, data modelling and automation to support scalable and sustainable analytics.
• Ability to build and test scalable data pipelines from multiple data sources using an efficient mix of modern tools.
• Ability to develop and review data models, ensuring adherence to standards and work with other data professionals to improve modelling, integration patterns and standards.
• Ability to anticipate and plan for changes in business or technical constraints and proactively address risks to data flow and processing.
• Proven ability to embed new ways of working, driving a culture of continuous, iterative improvement in analytical practices, service delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop others, sharing expertise, and fostering a culture of learning and innovation.
• Detailed understanding of performance measurement frameworks and evaluation methodologies, with the ability to align them to NHS policy and strategic priorities.
• Ability to contribute to system-wide planning and ensure alignment across organisational boundaries, supporting integrated care and collective improvement.
• Demonstrable compassionate and inclusive leadership.

Qualification and Knowledge

• Master's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, information systems, or business analytics or equivalent industry experience
• Evidence of further personal professional development

Experience

• Experience in managing and mentoring data-focused teams such as analytics, business intelligence, or evaluation, preferably within the NHS or a similar public sector environment.
• Experience in producing predictive, prescriptive, and evaluative analytics, with a strong grasp of statistical modelling, and emerging analytical techniques.
• Experience of embedding reporting and analytics into strategic decision-making and influencing organisational strategy.
• Experience in design and delivery of training programmes that build organisational capability in data use, analytical methods, or evaluative techniques, with a focus on advancing data literacy and supporting strategic decision-making across teams.
• Experience in developing and influencing complex stakeholder relationships to shape data strategy, support informed decision-making, and manage expectations effectively.
• Experience in leading and designing large scale, complex analytical and reporting projects that deliver strategic insights, including the application of data science approaches such as predictive modelling, machine learning and statistical analysis.
• Experience in developing and designing insightful, user-focused dashboards (e.g. Power BI/Tableau) that support strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Experience in designing and developing scalable, sustainable, and repeatable analytics processes, including the development of automated data pipelines and reporting solutions that enhance efficiency.
• Experience in designing developing performance frameworks to inform organisational strategy.
• Experience applying data governance frameworks and upholding ethical standards in data management and usage.
• Experience in working across organisational boundaries, sharing best practice and contributing to system-wide planning and improvement.
• Experience in delivering and overseeing analytical and reporting outputs using structured project management approaches, such as Agile, Scrum, or other relevant methodologies to ensure timely, iterative, and stakeholder-aligned delivery.
• Experience in leading and developing high-performing teams and setting standards for delivery.
• Experience in setting and delivering strategic objectives.
• Experience in the application of change management and/or improvement processes.
• Experience in the application of HR processes.
• Demonstrable experience of line management responsibilities

Values and Behaviours

• Working together - demonstrate collaborative and inclusive working and challenge behaviour that is not inclusive or acceptable

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

Broughton, Estuary Point, Middlebrook, Parkway

Broughton, Liverpool, Manchester

M14 7LU

Employer's website

https://www.nwas.nhs.uk/