Business Analyst

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’sour people who make this happen.

Job Title: Business Analyst

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Manchester

Salary: £47,000 - £53,000

Working arrangements: Hybrid, with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office

Help shape the technology that supports every stage of exam delivery.

Join AQA as a Business Analyst and play a key role in delivering the systems and services that underpin assessment delivery across the organisation. You'll work with stakeholders, technical teams and delivery partners to turn business needs into clear, actionable requirements that drive meaningful outcomes. This is an opportunity to influence critical technology solutions, improve processes and support services that impact learners across the UK.

You'll enjoy this role if you're naturally curious, enjoy solving problems and can confidently bridge the gap between business and technology

Purpose of the role

This role is about turning complex business challenges into practical outcomes. Working at the intersection of business and technology, you'll collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement, define requirements and deliver effective solutions that support AQA's end-to-end assessment lifecycle. Across projects, products and change initiatives, you'll analyse processes, shape solution design and ensure business needs are translated into tangible outcomes. Through this work, you'll influence decisions, drive continuous improvement and help deliver lasting value for AQA and the learners we serve.

Key responsibilities

• Working with stakeholders and technical teams to gather, analyse and document business requirements.
• Translating requirements into user stories, specifications, process maps and other delivery artefacts.
• Supporting the design, development and implementation of technology solutions that align with business priorities.
• Coordinating and supporting User Acceptance Testing, including acceptance criteria, test scripts and issue resolution.
• Managing risks, dependencies and backlog priorities to support successful delivery.
• Maintaining accurate project documentation, reporting and records within tools such as Azure DevOps and SharePoint.
• Sharing knowledge, promoting Continuous Improvement and best practice and supporting colleagues within the wider BA team.

What’s in it for you

• A platform to influence education nationally and represent AQA at key events
• Career development and professional growth in a leading education charity
• Hybrid working and flexibility to support work-life balance
• Comprehensive benefits including Bupa Health Insurance, Health Care Cash Plan, Life Assurance and an Electric Vehicle Leasing scheme, generous, combined pension contributions up to 18.5% and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas
• An inclusive culture that welcomes new perspectives, values collaboration and encourages innovative thinking to improve how we support teachers and students

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Extensive experience as a Business Analyst within complex technology or business transformation environments.
• The ability to engage, influence and challenge senior stakeholders to achieve successful business outcomes.
• Strong commercial and strategic awareness, with the ability to align solutions to organisational goals.
• Experience shaping business outcomes through requirements definition, process improvement and solution design.
• A collaborative approach, with experience working across multiple projects and navigating ambiguity in a changing environment.
• A proactive, outcome-focused approach with the confidence to navigate complexity and drive change.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the confidence to lead workshops, build consensus and drive progress.
• Experience delivering business analysis within Agile, Waterfall or hybrid delivery environments, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit the needs of the initiative.
• A strong understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and experience working closely with technology teams to deliver business and customer value.
• Experience using tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms to manage requirements, document processes and support delivery.

Diversity and inclusion

At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

This is a chance to make a meaningful contribution to education while developing your expertise in a complex and technology-focused environment.

Application process

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

• Application deadline: Sunday 11th October 23:59
• Short application questionnaire
• Interview Process:
• First stage: Teams Interviews taking place w/c 18th October 2026
• Second stage: Face to Face Interviews will take place w/c 25th October in Manchester.

Successful candidates will be unable to maintain an Associate role with AQA or any other exam board.

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

To provide hands-on support 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, promoting the sharing of business and technical knowledge and adoption of business analysis practices through mentoring, team meetings/lunch and learns, as well as written communication.Landscape:

The Assessment Technology group reports directly into the Chief Executive Officer. The group operates in close partnership with the Enterprise Technology and Central Hubs departments.

The Business Analyst is a member of the Analyst team within the Assessment Technology group, which is responsible for the operational systems underpinning the full lifecycle of exam series delivery from entries to post-results services and other Enterprise wide products and services.

Activities:

Implement business analysis best practices and delivery for portable, maintainable, and scalable software products and services.

Mentor and coach team members to support professional development, cross-skilling, and continuous improvement of team processes, contributing to a centre of excellence for business analysis.

Work collaboratively with business stakeholders and technical teams to translate requirements into clear deliverables-such as statements of work, user stories, specifications, and architectural designs-while mapping processes, clarifying needs, and ensuring alignment with AQA’s priorities, technology standards, and assessing the impact of changes.

Ensure all documentation is comprehensive, consistent, and accessible, supporting intended operational benefits. Maintain accurate records and reporting for software solution activities in systems such as Azure DevOps and SharePoint.

Support the business in designing and delivering User Acceptance Testing (UAT), including coordinating the testing approach, defining acceptance criteria, and assisting users with test scripts and issue resolution.

Build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders across AQA.

Assist with risk mitigation, backlog management, and iteration planning by providing estimates and advising on delivery approaches and risks.

Support in estimation and design phases, keeping up to date with best practices and sharing knowledge within the Software Solutions group.

Support the delivery of exam series, especially during the critical summer period.

Comply with all AQA policies and legislative requirements.

Undertake other responsibilities as business needs change and as appropriate to the role.

To be successful in this role, you will need to know:

Experience as a successful Analyst, delivering high-quality tasks at all project lifecycle stages, from requirements gathering to implementation.

Demonstrate familiarity with at least one Systems Development Life Cycle methodology (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, Iterative).

Knowledge in data modelling, including Entity Relationship Modelling, and proficient in using database tools and querying or creating test databases.

Experienced in requirements management, developing user stories, and conducting business process analysis and modelling, with the ability to recommend and implement process improvements.

Proven communication and facilitation skills, enabling effective engagement with both technical and non-technical audiences and the delivery of impactful workshops.

Good analytical and interviewing skills to identify business objectives, gather and document complex requirements, and define effective solutions and specifications.

Proven ability to support testing activities, including unit, system, and User Acceptance Testing.

Experience in using prototyping to support requirements clarification, process redesign, and delivery of business benefits in complex, multi-functional organisations.

Proven ability to manage issues, risks, and problems from identification to resolution.

Ability to produce and maintain high-quality documentation.

Experienced in using Application Lifecycle Management tools (e.g. ADO, JIRA)

Resilience and calmness under pressure to meet tight deadlines in complex contexts.

Ability to receive feedback and learn from mistakes for continuous self-development.

Proven ability to adapt to new IT methods, tools, and procedures.

Ability to take ownership of software solution delivery and continuous improvement activities.

Ability to lead by example and maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.