Systems Thinking Business Analyst

Systems Insight & Solutions at PA

Our Systems Insight and Solutions Team combines deep industry insights with innovative systems approaches, across engineering, architecture, and modelling. We help organisations achieve exceptional results that have a lasting impact on businesses, communities, and people worldwide. The Business Analysts play a key role in delivering practical solutions for clients across defence, transport, energy, and public services.

• Firm: PA Consulting
• Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Seniority level: Entry level
• Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
• Industries: Business Consulting and Services
• Hybrid working: Minimum 2 days in the office or on client site per week; up to 5 days on site depending on assignment.
• Work base: Nearest office (Cambridge, London, Bristol, Manchester)
• Closing date: 5th January 2026

• Work with clients to define and steer business analysis work streams across programmes and projects.
• Ensure processes are defined and requirements are captured and managed effectively.
• Help clients build a compelling case for change and manage transformation in a controlled and effective way.
• Provide support to programme and project implementation.
• Unlock better decision‑making that aligns strategy and delivery.
• Analyse and maximise the complex and connected systems within which organisations operate.
• Develop personal knowledge and skills by attending and delivering training.

• Minimum two years’ experience as a Business Analyst, or using business analysis skills in a Systems Engineer or Systems Thinker role.
• Experience in Defence and Security, Transport, Energy and Utilities, or Public Services.
• Demonstrable experience applying business analysis approaches and tools in complex system and programme environments.
• Ability to translate stakeholder needs into clear functional and non‑functional requirements with traceability.
• Facilitate workshops and interviews with key stakeholders.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills as a bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with top‑level stakeholders.
• Strong problem‑solving and critical thinking abilities in ambiguous environments.
• Excellent communication skills, including translating complex system and business concepts to wider audiences.
• Competence in industry‑recognised tools for data handling, analysis, and requirements management.
• Desire to support PA’s internal capabilities and develop PA’s Business Analysis expertise.

• Perform gap analyses and devising strategies for complex challenges.
• Designing future‑state processes aligned with systems‑thinking principles.
• Mediating between low‑level technical detail and higher‑level objectives.
• Understanding test approaches and supporting testing activities.
• Business Analysis certifications (e.g., BCS).
• Defining business analysis approaches for large‑scale programmes and procurements.
• Coaching and developing teams adopting business analysis frameworks.
• Analyzing operational and performance data for system design insights.
• Informing decision‑making with evidence‑based insights, recommendations, and scenario modelling.
• Conducting options and impact analysis for system and risk considerations.
• Completing current‑state analyses to inform strategy execution.
• Establishing metrics to measure system performance and business outcomes.

• Health and lifestyle perks with private healthcare.
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half‑day on Christmas Eve) with the option to purchase 5 additional days.
• Generous company pension scheme.
• Opportunities to engage in community and charity‑based initiatives.
• Annual performance‑based bonus.
• PA share ownership.
• Tax‑efficient benefits (cycle‑to‑work, give‑as‑you‑earn).

Please be aware that some of our UK roles require a UK security clearance. All PA employees undergo background checks and must achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. For UK roles, higher levels of National Security Vetting may be required, requiring at least five years of continuous residency in the UK. Candidates must…