Lead Business Analyst

Lead Business Analyst

12 month Fixed Term Contract

Manchester

Salary: £54,000 - £61,000

Hybrid Working - (min 2 days per week in the office)

Help shape the future of marking at AQA

Do you want to lead work that directly impacts how exam papers are marked across the UK?

We are delivering a major transformation programme to replace three existing marking platforms with a single, modern solution. With the first phase going live this November and expanding into 2027, this is a unique opportunity to play a key role in a complex, live delivery environment where your work has real-world impact.

As a Lead Business Analyst, you will take a hands‑on role in shaping and delivering this transformation. You will be working at the centre of a dynamic and delivery‑focused programme, helping to translate complex business needs into practical solutions that support exam delivery at scale.

• Lead analysis work across a major programme replacing multiple legacy systems with one integrated platform
• Help design and deliver a new marking management module to support end‑to‑end processes
• Analyse and shape data flows and integrations between systems, ensuring they work seamlessly together
• Work closely with stakeholders across operations, data and technology teams to align solutions with real 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

You will also contribute to best practice within business analysis, while supporting delivery planning, testing and continuous improvement.

This is a chance to work on a high‑profile transformation programme replacing multiple systems with one.

• Exposure to a complex delivery environment with a wide range of stakeholders and technologies
• Opportunities to develop your leadership capability and take on increased responsibility as part of the programme
• Work that directly supports examiners and impacts how exam papers are marked in practice

You will also benefit from a collaborative, values‑led working environment; 25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas; a 35 hour working week with flexible working arrangements; an excellent contributory pension scheme (6% – 11.5% depending on your contribution); access to professional and personal development whenever you need it; the opportunity to join a variety of employee networks including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic diversity, Interfaith and more.

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone – regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background – is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

• The ability to go beyond user stories to understand end‑to‑end processes, data flows and system interactions
• The skills to feel comfortable taking ownership and moving work forward, while working collaboratively with others
• A clear and structured approach to solving complex problems
• Experience working in Agile environments and using tools such as Azure Dev Ops, JIRA or MIRO
• Clarity of communication, with the ability to simplify complex ideas for different audiences

Summary

Purpose:

To provide hands‑on leadership and delivery of technical solutions by the efficient and accurate translation of business need into requirements consumable by the delivery teams, in‑line with agreed practices and under the direction of the Head of Business Analysis.

To provide hands‑on support and mentoring to advance the skills of other business analysts,…