Lead Business Analyst - Retail/Ecommerce

About us:

Absolutelabs provides fashion retail Technology consulting and Digital Transformation services to the world’s leading brands and retailers. We are a boutique consulting company focusing on Luxury, Apparel and Fashion customers providing Business and Tech consultancy in the UK, Europe, Middle-East and the US. We help clients stay competitive and innovative by anticipating rapidly changing customer shopping behaviors and retail technology landscape. We provide a wide range of services to help clients implement and manage their retail technology solutions. We help our clients stay relevant, rapidly adapt & innovate in a digital consumer era. Over the years, we have collaborated with renowned brands like Mulberry, Stella McCartney, Sweaty Betty, Kurt Geiger, Fenwick, and Clarks. 

Role Overview:

We are looking for a skilled Head of Business Analysis with a senior-level background in the retail and consumer goods sector, coupled with technical expertise with the knowledge of understanding solution architecture. The ideal candidate will lead our team of Business Analysts, working closely with clients to understand their requirements, design innovative solutions, and guide the implementation of technology-driven strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of Business Analysts, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
  
• Provide guidance on project assignments, ensuring effective utilization of team resources.
  
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and identify areas for growth and development within the team.
  

Client Engagement:

• Collaborate with clients to comprehend their business challenges and objectives.
  
• Lead requirements gathering workshops and meetings, translating business needs into actionable technology solutions.
  
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor throughout project lifecycle.
  

• Lead the design and optimization of business processes, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and the client's strategic goals.
  
• Work closely with clients to gather and document requirements, understanding their business processes, pain points, and desired outcomes.
  
• Translate complex business requirements into actionable process designs that drive efficiency and enhance user experiences.
  

Project Management:

• Oversee the end-to-end project lifecycle, from inception to delivery, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
  
• Manage project risks and issues, implementing effective mitigation strategies.
  
• Ensure project documentation, requirements, and deliverables are well-defined and maintained.
  

• Conduct in-depth technical analysis of client requirements, systems, and technologies to identify optimal solutions and opportunities for innovation.
  
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including solution architects, developers, and project managers, to define technical requirements and specifications.
  
• Provide technical expertise and insights during client engagements to ensure the proposed solutions meet business objectives, and technical feasibility.
  

Stakeholder Communication:

• Serve as a bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring clear and effective communication.
  
• Present project updates, status reports, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred.
  
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in senior-level business analysis roles within the retail and consumer goods industry.
  
• Proven experience in technical analysis, solution architecture, and business process design.
  
• Previous experience managing on-site and offshore teams.
  
• Strong technical background with a proven track record of designing and implementing complex, technology-driven solutions.
  
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead and motivate high-performing teams.
  
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to engage with clients effectively, stakeholders, and internal teams.
  
• Proven experience in project management, including planning, execution, and risk management.
  
• Knowledge of relevant tools and methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, and business process modeling.