Lead Information Analyst

Job overview

The Lead Information Analyst is a member of the information team and will play an active role in the determination and implementation of an information strategy and alignment to a shared vision across the trust maximising performance and quality improvement.

Lead Information Analyst will provide information to support the clinical and business needs of the trust, adopting a subject matter expert (SME) role within an area or more, where they will help shape and implement the BI strategy, lead on best practices, and provide guidance to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. The role includes working to the Information Manager and Head of Data, contributing to the direction of BI initiatives and supporting the wider information team with data analysis, ad hoc requests, national/regional mandatory returns, FOIs, and data transformation work, primarily using SQL.

Main duties of the job

Business Intelligence Support: Provide information to support the clinical and business needs of the trust, adopting a subject matter expert (SME) role within an area or more, shape/lead on best practice, and provide guidance to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Data Transformation & Analysis: Support the wider information team with data analyst and BI analyst tasks, including ad hoc data requests, FOIs, and complex data transformation work, primarily using SQL. Develop and maintain specialist datasets as required.

Quality Assurance & Compliance: Quality assure reports, analyses, and datasets before publication, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to NHS information governance, research approval, and regulatory requirements. Highlight exception performance issues to senior staff.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Work closely with data engineers, analysts, business users, operational managers, and other stakeholders to gather requirements, deliver data-driven solutions, and ensure the provision of high-quality data for reporting and analysis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In addition to the duties outlined within the Key Responsibilities section, the post holder will be expected to undertake the following:

• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of Trust information systems, data architecture and data flows, including the relationship between the Electronic Patient Record (EPR), Patient Administration System (PAS), departmental systems, research systems and the Trust Data Warehouse.
• Support the ongoing development and optimisation of the Trust’s business intelligence and reporting platforms, including Azure SQL, Palantir Foundry, Qlik and other approved analytical technologies.
• Ensure all reporting solutions, datasets and analytical outputs comply with NHS Information Governance requirements, UK GDPR, Data Protection legislation, Caldicott Principles and Trust policies.
• Promote the effective use of corporate source systems as the primary source of operational, clinical and performance information and support initiatives to improve data capture processes.
• Contribute to the review and development of information management, business intelligence, data governance and data quality policies, standards and procedures.
• Support the implementation and evaluation of system, reporting and data architecture changes, identifying risks, opportunities and operational impacts.

• Work closely with Data Quality, Clinical Coding, operational services and technical teams to ensure data is complete, accurate, consistent and fit for purpose.
• Support the development and monitoring of data quality indicators and performance measures, applying appropriate analytical, audit and validation methodologies.
• Investigate and help resolve complex data quality issues through root cause analysis and collaboration with stakeholders across the Trust.
• Promote awareness of data quality standards and best practice, supporting organisational compliance with national and local reporting requirements.
• Represent the Information Team at relevant data quality, information governance and data assurance groups as required.
• Ensure routine reporting processes, key datasets and analytical methodologies are clearly documented and maintained.

• Communicate highly complex technical, analytical and performance information to a wide range of audiences, adapting communication styles to meet stakeholder needs.
• Build effective working relationships with clinicians, operational managers, researchers, finance teams, information professionals and senior leaders across the organisation.
• Provide expert advice and guidance regarding NHS information standards, data interpretation, benchmarking methodologies and reporting requirements.
• Present analytical findings, recommendations and performance insights in meetings, workshops and formal governance forums.
• Translate complex technical concepts into meaningful and accessible information to support informed decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with external organisations, system partners and regional stakeholders where required to support shared reporting, transformation and improvement initiatives.

• Plan and coordinate multiple workstreams simultaneously, ensuring priorities are managed effectively and key deadlines are achieved.
• Support the delivery of strategic information, performance and transformation initiatives requiring complex analytical input and specialist informatics expertise.
• Contribute to the coordination of information resources and workload planning across the team to ensure effective service delivery.
• Monitor emerging information requirements and proactively identify opportunities to improve existing reporting, analytical processes and information products.
• Ensure internal and external reporting obligations are met in accordance with agreed timescales and quality standards.
• Work autonomously on complex pieces of work, exercising judgement and escalating risks or issues appropriately.

• Act as a senior analytical resource within the Information Team, providing specialist advice, guidance and support to colleagues and stakeholders.
• Mentor, coach and support junior analysts, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration and professional development.
• Contribute to the development of analytical capability across the organisation by sharing knowledge, best practice and technical expertise.
• Support the delivery of training, workshops and awareness sessions relating to business intelligence tools, reporting solutions, data standards and information governance requirements.
• Promote a culture of customer service, continuous improvement and innovation within the Information function.
• Encourage the adoption of best practice in analytics, reporting, data quality and information management.

• Maintain highly developed specialist knowledge of NHS datasets, information standards, performance frameworks, benchmarking methodologies and healthcare informatics.
• Keep abreast of developments in business intelligence technologies, analytical techniques, NHS policy, information standards and digital transformation programmes.
• Demonstrate an understanding of complex healthcare data models and the relationship between operational, clinical, financial, research and performance information.
• Apply specialist knowledge to support strategic decision-making, service improvement, performance management and organisational objectives.
• Exercise professional judgement when interpreting and presenting information, ensuring outputs are accurate, balanced and appropriate to the audience.

• Maintain patient confidentiality and information security at all times.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and responsibilities of the post as requested by the Information Manager, Head of Information or other senior managers.
• Participate in appraisal, mandatory training and continuing professional development activities.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.