Lead Business Analyst

Lead Business Analyst – 12 month Fixed Term Contract (Manchester)

Salary: £54,000 – £61,000. Hybrid working – minimum 2 days per week in the office.

Lead work that directly impacts how exam papers are marked across the UK, as part of a major transformation programme to replace three existing marking platforms with a single modern solution. Your hands‑on role will translate complex business needs into practical solutions, shaping and delivering a new marking management module and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems.

• Lead analysis work across a major programme replacing multiple legacy systems.
• Design and deliver a new marking management module to support end‑to‑end processes.
• Analyse and shape data flows and integrations between systems, ensuring seamless interoperability.
• Work closely with stakeholders across operations, data and technology teams to align solutions with business needs.
• Support change and transition activities, including manual workarounds and post‑results processes.
• Collaborate with offshore analysts and development teams as part of a wider delivery network.
• Contribute to best practice within business analysis, supporting delivery planning, testing and continuous improvement.

• Chance to work on a high‑profile transformation programme.
• Exposure to a complex delivery environment with diverse stakeholders and technologies.
• Opportunities to develop leadership capability and take on increased responsibility.
• Impact how exam papers are marked in practice.
• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 with service), bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas.
• 35‑hour working week with flexible working arrangements.
• Excellent contributory pension scheme (6%–11.5% depending on your contribution).
• Access to professional and personal development.
• Opportunity to join various employee networks, including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women empowerment, wellbeing, ethnic diversity, Interfaith and more.

• Ability to go beyond user stories to understand end‑to‑end processes, data flows and system interactions.
• Skills to own and move work forward, working collaboratively.
• Clear, structured approach to solving complex problems.
• Experience in Agile environments using tools such as Azure Dev Ops, JIRA or MIRO.
• Clarity of communication, simplifying complex ideas for different audiences.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. Everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation or background—is valued, respected and empowered to thrive.