At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape data initiatives and engage stakeholders to drive impactful analytics.
- Company: Join a multi-award winning tech company with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to social responsibility and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in data-driven decision making and business transformation.
- Qualifications: 5-8 years in business analysis with strong SQL and Power BI skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid / Ilkley LS29 8FL, UK
Job Type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Project & Change Management | Business Transformation
Salary: Competitive salary
SmartSearch’s distinctive Anti‑Money Laundering verification software protects our clients by offering the most advanced and comprehensive features available from an AML provider. SmartSearch has grown rapidly by fostering an incredibly collaborative and supportive culture. As we continue our ambitious growth plans, we will strive to remain a truly exciting, rewarding, and unique place to work.
HOW WILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
We’re looking for a Business Data Analyst to join our team and play a key role in shaping data and analytics initiatives through strong business analysis, stakeholder engagement, and requirements definition. Reporting to the Interim Director of Data and BI, you will work closely with business users, delivery teams, and data specialists to translate business needs into clear, actionable requirements that support reporting, insight, and process improvement.
The successful candidate will have strong experience in requirements elicitation, user story development, stakeholder workshops, and process mapping, together with a sound understanding of SQL, Power BI, and data modelling concepts. You will be comfortable working across business and technical teams, helping ensure that data solutions are aligned to operational needs and deliver meaningful business value. This role is suited to someone with 5-8 years of business analysis experience, ideally gained in data or analytics projects, who can combine structured analysis with effective communication and collaborative delivery.
VARIED DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Business Analysis and Requirements
- Lead requirements elicitation activities with stakeholders to understand business needs, challenges, and opportunities across data and analytics initiatives.
- Document clear business requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, and supporting artefacts to enable effective delivery.
- Facilitate stakeholder workshops and interviews to gather insights, align priorities, and refine requirements.
- Produce process maps and analyse current and future‑state workflows to identify improvements and support solution design.
- Work collaboratively with technical teams to ensure requirements are translated into practical, deliverable data solutions.
- Data, Reporting and Stakeholder Support
- Use intermediate SQL skills to support data analysis, investigate issues, and validate requirements and outputs.
- Work with Power BI at a consumer level to review reports, interpret outputs, and support stakeholders in using insight effectively.
- Apply an understanding of data modelling concepts to support discussions with technical teams and help shape effective analytics solutions.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business to ensure data and reporting solutions meet operational and strategic needs.
- Support testing, validation, and continuous improvement activities to help ensure delivered solutions are fit for purpose and provide measurable value.
- Contribute to Agile delivery practices, working with cross‑functional teams to prioritise work and support successful project outcomes.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE?
- Requirements Elicitation & User Stories – Strong experience gathering, analysing, and documenting business requirements, translating them into clear user stories and acceptance criteria.
- SQL (Intermediate) – Working knowledge of SQL to query, validate, and analyse data, supporting requirements gathering and data‑driven decision making.
- Stakeholder Workshops & Process Mapping – Proven ability to facilitate workshops, capture business processes, and create process maps to identify improvements and define future‑state solutions.
- Power BI (Consumer Level) – Comfortable using Power BI to explore data, interpret reports, and support business users, without requiring development expertise.
- Data Modelling Concepts – Good understanding of core data modelling principles, including relationships, data structures, and how data supports reporting and analytics.
- Certifications (Preferred) – Relevant certifications such as BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis, IIBA CBAP/CCBA, Agile/Scrum, with PL‑300 as a plus.
- Agile Delivery Experience – Familiarity working in Agile/Scrum environments, contributing to backlog refinement, sprint planning, and iterative delivery.
- Experience Level – 5–8 years’ experience in business analysis, with a strong focus on data and analytics‑related projects.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT SMARTSEARCH?
We are a multi‑award winning Tech company with an aspirational mentality. Some of our most recent recognitions include: named in the renowned RegTech100 list for 2024, listed in the Top 100 Fasted Growing Tech Companies by Northern Tech Awards 2024 as well as being named Technology Provider of the Year by Corporate Finance Awards 2024. We have been Great Place To Work Certified since 2022. There are excellent progression opportunities due to our growth and you will have personal development goals, regular feedback and support. We are a diverse and inclusive team committed to promoting Diversity & Inclusion and Social Responsibility. Through our DE&I group, charitable initiatives and support for local schools, we actively foster a positive Impact on our community.
COMPANY BENEFITS
- 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service
- Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical
- Company pension scheme
- Life Assurance – 4x your annual salary
- 1 day paid volunteering per year
- Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to a gym
Business Analyst - Data in Ilkley employer: Hollybank Trustees Ltd
SmartSearch is an award-winning tech company located in Ilkley, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With competitive benefits such as 25 days of holiday, private medical insurance, and opportunities for personal development, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Analyst - Data in Ilkley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at SmartSearch on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your SQL and Power BI skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects. We want to see how you can translate your experience into actionable insights for our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your collaborative side! During interviews, highlight examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams. We love candidates who can bridge the gap between technical and business needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about our data initiatives and company culture. This shows your genuine interest in SmartSearch and helps us see how you fit into our exciting growth plans.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Analyst - Data in Ilkley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in business analysis, especially with data and analytics projects. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your SQL and Power BI knowledge!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively. Use examples from your past experiences where you’ve facilitated workshops or translated complex requirements into clear user stories.
Highlight Your Agile Experience:If you’ve worked in Agile environments, make sure to mention it! We love candidates who can contribute to Agile delivery practices, so share any relevant experiences that show your familiarity with sprint planning and backlog refinement.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at SmartSearch!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hollybank Trustees Ltd
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your SQL skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data analysis in past projects. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you’ve translated business needs into actionable insights.
✨Master the Art of Requirements Elicitation
Practice articulating how you gather and document business requirements. Think of a few scenarios where you facilitated workshops or interviews, and be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes.
✨Show Off Your Power BI Skills
Familiarise yourself with Power BI reports and be ready to discuss how you’ve used them to support stakeholders. Bring examples of how you interpreted data outputs to drive decision-making in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss how you’ve built relationships with stakeholders and ensured that data solutions align with operational needs.
