Business Analyst in Bristol

The role: We are looking for a Business Analyst to join our Transformation department in Bristol or London. This newly created role will support our Transformation Portfolio, a firmwide initiative to redesign how we work: to improve workflows, deliver change in a coordinated way and build the foundations needed to be a leading AI-enabled law firm. This is more than just deployment of new tools: it is a continuous evaluation of our operating model, and the absorption of AI into everything we do.

Your role plays a key part in the successful delivery of the firm's transformation portfolio. Working across strategic business, process, technology, data and operating model initiatives, you will partner with stakeholders to identify business needs, analyse current and future state processes, define requirements, support solution design and ensure that change initiatives deliver measurable business value. You are the bridge between business stakeholders, subject matter experts, technology teams, vendors and programme leadership, ensuring that transformation initiatives are aligned with strategic objectives and are delivered in a controlled, effective and sustainable manner.

What will you do:

• Elicit, analyse, validate and document business requirements using appropriate techniques.
• Facilitate workshops, interviews and stakeholder sessions to understand business challenges and opportunities.
• Translate business needs into clear requirements, user stories, process models and acceptance criteria.
• Support the definition of project scope, objectives and success measures.
• Maintain requirements traceability throughout the project lifecycle.

Business Process Improvement

• Analyse current-state business processes, systems, data flows and operating models.
• Identify inefficiencies, risks, duplication and opportunities for improvement.
• Design future-state processes that align with business objectives and strategic transformation goals.
• Develop process maps, operating models and business capability assessments.
• Support the implementation of standardised and scalable ways of working.

Transformation Delivery

• Work alongside programme managers, project managers, solution architects and subject matter experts to support delivery.
• Contribute to business case development, benefits definition and benefits realisation activities.
• Assist in evaluating solution options and recommending approaches based on business value, feasibility and risk.
• Support planning activities including impact assessments, dependency analysis and change readiness assessments.
• Identify and manage business analysis risks, issues and assumptions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across legal practice groups, business services and technology teams.
• Facilitate decision-making by presenting analysis, options and recommendations in a clear and structured manner.
• Manage stakeholder expectations throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Act as a trusted advisor to programme and business leaders.

Testing & Implementation Support

• Support the development of test scenarios, business acceptance criteria and test plans.
• Coordinate business user testing activities where required.
• Support deployment, training and adoption activities.
• Assist with post-implementation reviews and lessons learned exercises.

Governance & Documentation

• Produce high-quality project artefacts including: Business cases, Requirements specifications, User stories, Process maps, Decision logs, Impact assessments, Benefits realisation plans, Operating model documentation.
• Ensure governance standards, methodologies and documentation practices are consistently applied.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience as a Business Analyst within transformation programmes, strategic change initiatives or major systems implementations.
• Strong requirements gathering and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience facilitating workshops and leading business analysis activities.
• Demonstrable process mapping and business process improvement experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Experience producing clear and concise documentation for senior stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working across multiple workstreams and priorities.
• (Desirable) Law and/or professional services experience.
• (Desirable) A good understanding of project lifecycle methodologies such as Prince 2 and IT best practice frameworks such as ITIL.
• (Desirable) A good understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning tools (ideally Workday, Intapp and Elite 3E).

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a focus on delivering business value.
• Highly collaborative and relationship-oriented.
• Naturally curious and able to challenge constructively.
• Organised, proactive and self-motivated.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and managing change.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Other requirements:

• Flexibility and a willingness to work additional hours on occasion as required.
• As Simmons & Simmons is an international business, some working outside of normal U.K. hours (for example, to lead project meetings with international groups), or travel may be necessary.

Career Level: The career level assigned to this role is level 3. The career level framework provides a formal structure for the business services functions at the firm. The framework, which ranges from level 1 to level 7, clearly defines the responsibilities, skills and competencies required at each level.

Here at Simmons & Simmons: At Simmons, we are proud of our collaborative, open and non-hierarchical culture, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and the wellbeing of our people is paramount. Our dynamic minds work as one integrated team, partnering with leading organisations on inspirational and thought-provoking projects that matter. From day one, irrespective of job title, qualification or background, everyone’s voice is heard, and you are encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will have a platform to excel, exceed your career ambitions, and achieve things you never thought possible.

Some key information: We offer a competitive package including bonuses dependant on role/level, private medical insurance and pension contribution. Our global skills academy provides our people, regardless of their role and location, with excellent learning opportunities (including live workshops, podcasts, short videos and practical learning experiences). We have adopted a hybrid working approach with a requirement for a minimum of three days in the office with flexibility dependant on role/team/client demands. We are proud to rank as a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality, a Stonewall Top Global Employer, and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility. We have a range of social and sports committees, summer and winter parties and monthly get togethers. We have a range of diversity networks to connect people and celebrate our differences which is integral to our inclusive culture. All UK offices have their own artwork collections – including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin pieces in the London office. We have a long-standing history in supporting the art community especially up-and-coming artists. We have recently introduced a Strategic Advisory Council which is a mix of associates and business services who will propose strategic initiatives that align with our firm's mission and support the delivery of our business plan, shaping the future of our next-generation law firm. Our in-house generative AI tool, Percy, won the ‘Innovation in Automation and AI Tools’ category at the 2024 FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards. This achievement highlights our commitment to technological innovation and client service. We have been commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 across three categories: construction, employment, and intellectual property. Our profile is highly positive, highlighting our sector specialisms and notable case and transactional work.

Equal opportunities: We are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion within our firm and to ensuring equal employment opportunities. We believe that this commitment creates a vibrant and rewarding work environment. We are therefore committed to: Upholding equal opportunities, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity, marital status, or pregnancy, including maternity and paternity. This commitment extends to addressing any instances of perceived or associative discrimination and harassment. We also ensure fair treatment during recruitment and selection processes for those who are serving or have served in the armed forces, along with their families. Accommodating requests for flexible working arrangements whenever possible. We encourage you to discuss your needs with us if this is something you require. Making our roles accessible to individuals with diverse abilities. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can meet your needs. We offer a range of employee networks to support our colleagues. More information about these networks can be found in the D&I Information booklet that candidates are sent when invited to interview. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We are looking for individuals who are passionate and eager to learn and grow with us. Your unique experiences and perspectives could be a great addition to our team. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. If you’re interested in finding out more about this position, please contact the Recruitment Team. To apply for the role, click on the link at the top of the page or visit our careers page for more details.