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