{"id":1523646,"url":"https://alion.io/job/aqa-2026-business-analyst","title":"Business Analyst","company":{"id":1791368,"name":"AQA 2026","domain":"aqa.org.uk","url":"https://alion.io/company/aqa-org-uk","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":null},"role":"Analytics","role_family":"Analytics","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Manchester, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":47000,"max":53000,"currency":"GBP","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":70115},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Agile","optional":false},{"name":"Azure DevOps","optional":false},{"name":"Confluence","optional":false},{"name":"Jira","optional":false},{"name":"SharePoint","optional":false},{"name":"Waterfall","optional":false},{"name":"Azure","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-30T13:13:53Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-30","last_verified_at":"2026-10-02T12:23:24Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"description":"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.\nJob Title: Business Analyst\nContract type: Permanent \nLocation: Manchester \nSalary: £47,000 - £53,000\nWorking arrangements: Hybrid, with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office\nHelp shape the technology that supports every stage of exam delivery.\nJoin 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.\nYou'll enjoy this role if you're naturally curious, enjoy solving problems and can confidently bridge the gap between business and technology\nPurpose of the role\nThis 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.\nKey responsibilities\nWorking with stakeholders and technical teams to gather, analyse and document business requirements.\n Translating requirements into user stories, specifications, process maps and other delivery artefacts.\nSupporting the design, development and implementation of technology solutions that align with business priorities.\nCoordinating and supporting User Acceptance Testing, including acceptance criteria, test scripts and issue resolution.\nManaging risks, dependencies and backlog priorities to support successful delivery.\nMaintaining accurate project documentation, reporting and records within tools such as Azure DevOps and SharePoint.\nSharing knowledge, promoting Continuous Improvement and best practice and supporting colleagues within the wider BA team.\nWhat’s in it for you\nA platform to influence education nationally and represent AQA at key events\nCareer development and professional growth in a leading education charity\nHybrid working and flexibility to support work-life balance\nComprehensive 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\nAn inclusive culture that welcomes new perspectives, values collaboration and encourages innovative thinking to improve how we support teachers and students\nYou’ll thrive in this role if you have:\nExtensive experience as a Business Analyst within complex technology or business transformation environments.\nThe ability to engage, influence and challenge senior stakeholders to achieve successful business outcomes.\nStrong commercial and strategic awareness, with the ability to align solutions to organisational goals.\nExperience shaping business outcomes through requirements definition, process improvement and solution design.\nA collaborative approach, with experience working across multiple projects and navigating ambiguity in a changing environment.\nA proactive, outcome-focused approach with the confidence to navigate complexity and drive change.\nExcellent communication and facilitation skills, with the confidence to lead workshops, build consensus and drive progress.\nExperience delivering business analysis within Agile, Waterfall or hybrid delivery environments, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit the needs of the initiative.\nA strong understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and experience working closely with technology teams to deliver business and customer value.\nExperience using tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms to manage requirements, document processes and support delivery.\nDiversity and inclusion\nAt 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.\nThis is a chance to make a meaningful contribution to education while developing your expertise in a complex and technology-focused environment.\nApplication process\nTo apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.\nApplication deadline: Sunday 11th October 23:59\nShort application questionnaire\nInterview Process:\nFirst stage: Teams Interviews taking place w/c 18th October 2026\nSecond stage: Face to Face Interviews will take place w/c 25th October in Manchester.\nSuccessful candidates will be unable to maintain an Associate role with AQA or any other exam board.\nRecruitment Agencies\nWe have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.\nUnsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.\nFull Job Description\nSummary\nPurpose: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.\nTo 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:\nThe Assessment Technology group reports directly into the Chief Executive Officer. The group operates in close partnership with the Enterprise Technology and Central Hubs departments.\nThe 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.\nActivities:\nImplement business analysis best practices and delivery for portable, maintainable, and scalable software products and services.\nMentor 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.\nWork 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.\nEnsure 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.\nSupport 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.\nBuild and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders across AQA.\nAssist with risk mitigation, backlog management, and iteration planning by providing estimates and advising on delivery approaches and risks.\nSupport in estimation and design phases, keeping up to date with best practices and sharing knowledge within the Software Solutions group.\nSupport the delivery of exam series, especially during the critical summer period.\nComply with all AQA policies and legislative requirements.\nUndertake other responsibilities as business needs change and as appropriate to the role.\nTo be successful in this role, you will need to know:\nExperience as a successful Analyst, delivering high-quality tasks at all project lifecycle stages, from requirements gathering to implementation.\nDemonstrate familiarity with at least one Systems Development Life Cycle methodology (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, Iterative).\nKnowledge in data modelling, including Entity Relationship Modelling, and proficient in using database tools and querying or creating test databases.\nExperienced in requirements management, developing user stories, and conducting business process analysis and modelling, with the ability to recommend and implement process improvements.\nProven communication and facilitation skills, enabling effective engagement with both technical and non-technical audiences and the delivery of impactful workshops.\nGood analytical and interviewing skills to identify business objectives, gather and document complex requirements, and define effective solutions and specifications.\nProven ability to support testing activities, including unit, system, and User Acceptance Testing.\nExperience in using prototyping to support requirements clarification, process redesign, and delivery of business benefits in complex, multi-functional organisations.\nProven ability to manage issues, risks, and problems from identification to resolution.\nAbility to produce and maintain high-quality documentation.\nExperienced in using Application Lifecycle Management tools (e.g. ADO, JIRA)\nResilience and calmness under pressure to meet tight deadlines in complex contexts.\nAbility to receive feedback and learn from mistakes for continuous self-development.\nProven ability to adapt to new IT methods, tools, and procedures.\nAbility to take ownership of software solution delivery and continuous improvement activities.\nAbility to lead by example and maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.","description_format":"text","description_chars":10502,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Annual leave","Health insurance","Hybrid work","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United Kingdom","iso":"GB","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Education","Secondary Education","Nonprofits & Foundations"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-30T13:13:53Z"}],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":21,"reasons":["conf:7","velocity","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-02T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":70115,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/aqa-2026-business-analyst","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/aqa-2026-business-analyst.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-03T04:06:19Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4160,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":840,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-04T00:00:00Z"}}}