At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and we're committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.
Lead Business Analyst
12 month Fixed Term Contract
Manchester: £53,100 - £59,800
Hybrid Working
Are you an experienced Business Analyst who is able to provide hands-on support and mentoring to advance the skills of other software solution analysts?
You will be joining a team of Business Analysts working on one of AQA's Strategic Programmes to review, optimise and embed processes, supported by innovative and intuitive technologies, transforming assessment services into world class products, making a real difference to the lives of students and teachers, which means your work will be interesting and exciting.
You will be experienced in leading meetings and running workshops to successful conclusions with internal stakeholders, process mapping and managing expectations.
What's in it for me?
1. Generous annual leave: 25 days per year, with extra days at Christmas and the Bank Holidays on top.
2. Work life balance: 35 hours per week with at least two days per week onsite attendance in the award winning, newly refurbished office.
3. Excellent pension: you can contribute up to 7% and we will put in 11.5% giving 18.5% towards your pension.
4. Volunteering days: up to 5 days per year to be able to volunteer with causes close to your heart.
5. Wellbeing: corporate access to the Headspace App, an employer assistance programme and access to network groups including Empowering Women, Ethnic Minority, The AQA disability Community and LGBTQ+ Networks.
What will I need to succeed?
1. The ability to provide leadership on analysis best practice and delivery.
2. The skills to mentor and coach other team members on business and technical analysis, driving personal and professional development to facilitate cross skilling in the team.
3. The ability to identify ways to continually improve team processes and ways of working and support the Head of Analysis in the creation of a centre of excellence for Analysis in AQA.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Evidenced practical Business Analysis experience leading on process optimisation and change management.
2. Experience of problem solving, analytical thinking, workshop facilitation and driving project objectives to successful outcomes.
3. Effective communication and experience of working closely with cross-functional teams and different stakeholders.
4. Up to date knowledge of various techniques to elicit and manage requirements.
5. Skilled at developing detailed user stories, acceptance criteria, and process flow diagrams.
What Next?
Apply with your CV and cover letter; all applications will receive a response.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we may close the advert early if the right person is identified.
Interviews will be over two stages, both on Teams.
AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place. Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
Full Job Description
Summary
Purpose: To provide both hands-on delivery and leadership in the delivery of Software Solutions by the efficient and accurate translation of business need into requirements consumable by the technical delivery teams, in-line with agreed practices and under the direction of the Head of Analysis.
Activities:
1. Provide leadership on analysis best practice and delivery for software solutions that are portable and can be supported, easily maintained and onwardly developed.
2. Mentor and coach other team members on business and technical analysis driving personal and professional development to facilitate cross skilling in the team.
3. Work with the business and technical teams to deliver the translation of requirements into statements of work, user stories, feature sets, use cases, identifying business benefits, high level designs, proposed solutions and prototypes in line with business priorities agreed as part of sprint planning & product backlog management.
4. Ensure all deliverables/documents, requirements catalogues, system, data and business process models are comprehensive, consistent and accessible and are appropriate in order for the intended operational benefits to be achieved.
5. Work with the delivery teams (developers, testers, devops, architects, etc.) to translate business needs into viable detailed specifications, architectural designs, data and information requirements and acceptance criteria.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
1. A broad understanding of business in either a commercial or an educational environment.
2. An expert knowledge of analysis techniques and the ability to analyse and produce accurate artefacts consumable by business stakeholders and technical delivery teams.
3. A strong understanding of financial management in a project environment including supporting the creation of robust business cases.
Qualification
A degree level qualification in Software Engineering or a scientific discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Skills
1. Expertise in using a variety of tools and techniques to analyse business processes and recommend process improvements.
2. Proven analytical skills to identify business objectives and potential solutions.
3. Demonstrable ability to produce and maintain high quality documentation.
Experience
1. Significant experience as a successful Analyst, with evidence of delivering tasks at a high level of quality.
2. Experience using Application Lifecycle Management tooling, e.g. ADO, JIRA etc.
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