Business Architect

Job Title: Business Architect 
Contract Type: Fixed term for up to 12 months 
Salary: £71991.31 (£79510.98 is achieved after 12 successful performance in the role) 
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, full time 
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday   
Location: Speke Liverpool 
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description. 
Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates. 
The difference you will make as a Business Architect 
To partner an agreed business area/areas and establish the current operating environment and business challenges, identifying opportunities for improvement and provide technical insight to support the Group’s strategic objectives and target and transitional operating models. You will support the process to prioritise any improvements and facilitate the production of clear change requirements.
This role is initially being offered on a 12 month fixed term contract, however subject to ongoing demand there may be the opportunity for the position to be extended or become a permanent position. 
About you 
We are looking for someone with 
•  An understanding of strategic discovery, investment shaping definition and design methods. 
•  In-depth knowledge (and experience) of business architecture methodology and development. 
•  Experience of delivering a change within a complex, multi-site organisation. 
Why Riverside? 
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.  
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us. 
Working with us, you’ll enjoy: 
•  Competitive pay & generous pension  
•  28 days holidays plus bank holidays 
•  Flexible working options available 
•  Investment in your learning, personal development and technology 
•  A wide range of benefits 
Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:  
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.  
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview. 
This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview.  
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.  
Role Profile  
•  Identify and prioritise the change requirements for the agreed business area, providing expertise and support in the production of the key outputs required for the concept definition and benefits realisation phases of the project lifecycle (clear scope, high level requirements, business cases, high level impacts, benefits, costs and timescales) and provide ongoing support throughout the project lifecycle.
•  Input to the portfolio management process and support to the cross-organisational prioritisationof changes to ensure alignment to and delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives.
•  Provide timely and relevant updates on the portfolio to the agreed business area, focussing on business outcomes and benefits realisation, to promote effective communications and a shared understanding of the Group’s priorities and overall change portfolio.
•  Contribute to the development, implementation, maintenance and review of Group target and transitional operating models, ensuring full representation of the agreed business area, ensuring alignment with and supporting the delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives.
•  Act as the main point of contact for the agreed business area in relation to the Group’s operating model, dealing with all new requirements for change, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, facilitating escalated design issues and change requests, ensuring that all projects incepted are aligned to the overall operating model.
•  Contribute to the development and maintenance of the architecture and design methodology, ensuring it is clearly communicated to key stakeholders, including those within the agreed business area.
•  Manage stakeholders effectively including the agreed business area, Human Resources and Information Technology colleagues, and influencing, negotiating and building constructive working relationships to deliver business strategy; shape the portfolio of projects and deliver an integrated suite of operational designs for your business area.
•  Support continuous improvement through routine and bespoke analysis, including feedback from stakeholders and identification of risks, to identify opportunities for improvement.
•  Ensure that all information security requirements, including data protection, are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
•  Ensure that health and safety requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
•  Respond flexibly to any necessary changes in work priorities and undertake other duties when required to support the effective operation of the service.
Other Duties
Additional Information
•  The Group has offices across the UK and on this basis, there may be the requirement to travel to other locations to effectively perform this role, albeit that regular support will be required to teams in Camden and Dartford 
•  The role will be exposed to sensitive information; therefore, the role holder is expected to maintain levels of confidentiality at all times.
•  In order to fulfil the requirements of this role, you will be required to work flexibly during the hours of operation. 
•  The role holder is expected to be committed to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.  

Person specification 
Knowledge, Skills and Experience 
Essential 
•  Experience of project management, preferably with an understanding of definition, inception and design methods and techniques. 
•  In-depth knowledge (and experience) of business architecture methodology and development. 
•  Experience of delivering a change within a complex, multi-site organisation. 
•  Proven track record of analysing and interpreting data including financial information and business cases. 
•  Effective stakeholder management with experience of working in partnership with the business and the ability to successfully persuade and influence others. 
•  Customer focused with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work at all levels within the business. 
•  Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work accurately under pressure, deliver to strict deadlines and manage conflicting priorities. 
•  Commercially aware with a focus on continuous improvement. 
•  Results focused with the ability to take ownership of tasks. 
•  Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements.
Desirable 
•  Degree qualification in a relevant subject, or equivalent.
•  Knowledge of the Group’s Corporate Strategy, Plan and Target Operating Model.
•  Understanding of the Group’s current operating model.
•  Awareness of risk management principles