Lead Business Analyst

Lead Business Analyst - Aerospace & Defence Digital Transformation Location: Reading (Hybrid/flexible) Clearance: Active SC Clearance required We are looking for an experienced Lead Business Analyst to establish and lead a new Business Analysis function, driving requirements across HR, Finance and Programme Management. You will be working on sensitive MOD/aerospace programmes, shaping the digital product vision and leading a team of BAs, while collaborating closely with senior stakeholders, suppliers and delivery partners. Essential Candidate Requirements Active SC Clearance - required to work on‑site with Edgewing and support sensitive MOD/aerospace programmes Aerospace & Defence experience - proven background delivering architecture or digital solutions within MOD, Defence Digital or UK aerospace environments Ability to work on‑site in Reading, with hybrid/custom working options where appropriate The Role As Lead Business Analyst, you will: Set up and lead a new Business Analysis Team across HR, Finance, and Programme Management workstreams Define and own the approach to requirements gathering, analysis, and documentation across multiple projects Help shape and mature the organisation's BA capabilities, standards and processes Work in partnership with the Product Owner to set the vision for the digital solution Ensure delivery of high‑quality, well‑defined requirements in a fast‑moving environment Operate within Agile delivery methods, guiding and coaching others on best practice Key Responsibilities Leadership & Direction Define and implement the BA approach for requirements gathering and documentation across multiple workstreams Establish a new BA function: recruit, set standards and working practices, and oversee quality Lead, mentor and develop BAs with varying levels of experience Assure the quality of BA outputs and the solutions produced by the Managed Service Provider Stakeholder Management Engage senior stakeholders (including CxOs and Heads of Functions) to align on product vision, requirements and priorities Facilitate workshops and discussions to resolve conflicts and reach consensus Oversee supplier outputs and ensure solutions align with business requirements Work with solutions involving ERP (SAP S/4HANA), HR applications and Microsoft tools, including Power Platform Delivery & Innovation Find pragmatic ways to deliver requirements where functional teams have limited capacity Collaborate with suppliers to shape solution proposals based on the agreed vision and requirements Work with architects to align requirements to product and technology choices Draw on knowledge of digital solutions for Finance, HR, Programme Management, Legal, IP, Commercial and Supply Chain Agile Practices Drive requirements definition in Agile projects: User Stories, Use Cases, acceptance criteria and prioritisation Champion best practice in requirements management processes and tools across the wider programme Essential Skills & Experience Proven experience leading Business Analyst teams on digital transformation programmes Experience setting up a new BA function for digital programmes Strong track record in requirements definition and management in Agile environments Expertise in User Stories, Use Cases and requirements documentation Exceptional stakeholder management experience, including CxOs and senior leadership Experience working in start‑up or evolving organisations, shaping processes and building capabilities Experience collaborating with suppliers to define and deliver requirements Familiarity with Azure DevOps or similar Agile requirements management tools Personal Attributes Strategic thinker with strong leadership and influencing skills Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable in a fast‑paced, evolving environment Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship‑building skills Please contact the recruitment team for full details Should you require any support or assistance, please contact your local Gi Group office. Gi Group Holdings Recruitment Limited are proud founding members of Menopause in business, corperate members for Neurodiversity in business, Disability Confident committed members, Gold status for the Armed Forces Covenant, Bronze trail blazers for Racial Equality matters and Age Freindly Employer pledge members. Gi Group Holdings Recruitment Limited group of companies includes Gi Recruitment Limited, Draefern Limited, Gi Group Recruitment Ltd, INTOO (UK) Limited, Marks Sattin (UK) Limited, TACK TMI UK Limited, Grafton Professional Staffing Limited, Encore Personnel Services, Gi Group Ireland Limited and Kelly Services (UK) Ltd. Gi Group Ireland Limited are acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this role. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Gi Group Privacy Statement. 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