Business Data Analyst

Our Balfour Beatty Highways business has a terrific opportunity for a Business Data Analyst as part of the Connect Plus Services (CPS) team based in South Mimms, Leatherhead or Dartford.

The M25 community comprises the DBFO holder (Connect Plus (CP)), Connect Plus Services (CPS - responsible for operations, maintenance, project management and co-ordination of work planning), four framework contractors delivering renewal and improvement projects as well as third parties delivering works across the network.The Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBFO) contract covering the M25 contains particular requirements to preserve availability of the network for customers (“lane availability”) and imposes costs (“lane availability charges”) on the DBFO company where lane availability is reduced for reasons beyond excepted closures. This regime of charges forms part of the overall payment mechanism (“Paymech”) for the DBFO contract.

The purpose of this role is to ensure that lane availability charges are calculated in accordance with the requirements of the contract and that these charges are agreed with National Highways and Connect Plus. The role will also drive continuous improvement in this part of the business by analysing the causes of lane availability charges and working with stakeholders within the business to reduce future charges through process improvements.

This role is a mix of commercial and technical aspects. The commercial aspect requires robust and evidence-based negotiation with National Highways to ensure that Paymech charges are applied in accordance with the requirements of the contract and that the interests of CPS are managed. The technical element requires that the complex calculation engine for lane availability cost calculation is maintained and developed to reflect contract requirements, changes to the network or to address any local complexities that need to be properly represented in the calculation.

What you'll be doing?

• Ownership of the lane availability calculation tool, ensuring that the calculation tool operates in accordance with the requirements of the DBFO contract and incorporating changes to the tool where necessary (for example when changes are made to the road network).
• Leading the monthly Paymech charges meeting with CP and National Highways to agree the calculation of lane availability charges and to respond to any technical queries (with support from relevant stakeholders in CPS).
• Perform analysis of historic Paymech charges to identify sources of potential future business improvements which could reduce lane availability charges.
• Ensure that there is a clear understanding of the lane availability requirements in the DBFO contract and that these requirements continue to be accurately reflected in the calculation model.
• Liaise with stakeholders across CPS to increase understanding of lane availability charges and to implement improvements to reduce future charges. Obtain responses to technical queries regarding historic lane availability issues to ensure that charges are applied in accordance with the contractual requirements and reflecting actual events on the road.
• Represent CPS interests in commercial conversations with National Highways regarding application of Paymech obligations including Lane Availability Charges in addition to Technology Defect Condition Adjustments and Exceptional Circumstances Adjustments to ensure that obligations are applied consistently and using evidence to support decisions. Form and present commercial and technical arguments for the appropriate application of Paymech charges to National Highways.
• Ensuring data reported relating to High Priority Defects is accurate and reflects operational records. Ensure that this information is accurately presented to National Highways to prevent significant HPD penalty costs to CPS.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with stakeholders internally within CPS and externally within CP and National Highways to ensure high levels of cooperation and trust are maintained in the Paymech process and calculations.
• Using the Paymech calculation model to anticipate the cost impact of potential future network changes to ensure that the full economic impact of network changes is understood.
• Ensure that clear policies and procedures for the management and recording of lane availability and technology condition are in place and being applied across CPS.

The following qualities/experience are essential:

• Excellent numerical skills including the ability to manipulate databases and spreadsheet data as well as the ability to manage the development of a bespoke calculation tool
• Commercial acumen and the ability to present arguments based on evidence and data
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in identifying and delivering business improvement
• Demonstrated credibility in influencing others through data analysis
• A self-starter, with the ability to prioritise and self-manage workload
• Ability to operate at all levels of the business
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders

The following qualities/experience are desirable:

• Degree level qualified in Engineering or other similarly numerate qualifications
• Experience of a structured business improvement methodology (Lean, TQM, Six Sigma or similar)
• Experience of working in highways or in a DBFO/PFI environment.

Why work for us

CPS is a joint Venture project with Balfour Beatty, Atkins, and Egis. We operate and maintain the M25.

The M25 is the busiest section of motorway in Europe and requires careful and efficient planning of work in order to deliver over £100m of annual investment in the highway infrastructure each year, in addition to planned and reactive maintenance activity.

If you have or are looking for a career in Highways, working on the M25 will give you experience and challenge that no other highways project can offer.

About us

At Balfour Beatty we are committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential, not only because this is the right thing to do, but because it makes us a better business.

To ensure we deliver on this commitment, we have a UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan which sets out the wide range of targeted, proactive, measurable steps we are taking to make this a reality. You can read our UK Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan in full at www.balfourbeatty.com/value_everyone

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and Women into Construction. In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion.

Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Further information on Disability Confident can be found at: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/