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’s our people who make this happen.
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.
What you’ll be doing:
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 more than a typical business analysis role. You will be working in a complex, multi-team environment where you can influence how systems are designed and delivered at scale.
What’s in it for you?
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 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
What you’ll bring:
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 DevOps, JIRA or MIRO
Clarity of communication, with the ability to simplify complex ideas for different audiences
How to Apply
If you are looking for a role where you can combine hands-on delivery with leadership and want to be part of a programme that makes a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now with your most recent CV and cover letter to join AQA and help shape the future of exam delivery.
Applications will close at 23:59 on Monday 8 June 2026
Interviews will be in the Manchester office, so that you can see where you will be working, in the week of the 15 June 2026
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Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
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Full Job DescriptionSummary
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, 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 Lead 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:
Lead on 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.
Play a key role 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.
Deputise for workstream delivery leads as required.
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:
Significant experience as a successful Analyst, delivering high-quality tasks at all project lifecycle stages, from requirements gathering to implementation.
Demonstrated familiarity with at least one Systems Development Life Cycle methodology (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, Iterative).
Skilled 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.
Excellent communication and facilitation skills, enabling effective engagement with both technical and non-technical audiences and the delivery of impactful workshops.
Strong analytical and interviewing skills to identify business objectives, gather and document complex requirements, and define effective solutions and specifications.
Proven ability to support, manage, and improve testing activities, including unit, system, and User Acceptance Testing.
Demonstrated ownership of software solution delivery and continuous improvement, with experience coaching, mentoring, and leading individuals and teams to foster effective partnerships.
Proficient in using prototyping to support requirements clarification, process redesign, and delivery of business benefits in complex, multi-functional organisations.
Broad understanding of business operations in a project environment including supporting the creation of robust business cases.
Proven ability to manage issues, risks, and problems from identification to resolution.
Ability to produce and maintain high-quality documentation.
Proficient 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.
AQA Guildford, England Office
Stag Hill House Guildford Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom, GU2 7XJ
AQA London, England Office
7-12 Tavistock Square, London, United Kingdom, WC1H 9LT
