At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform vague product asks into clear specifications and solve complex data problems.
- Company: Leading intelligence and data services organisation with a modern tech environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, 27 days leave, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for growth in a fast-moving environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team at the forefront of open-source intelligence and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 8+ years as a BA in data-heavy sectors with hands-on ETL experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 88000 £ per year.
A well-established intelligence and data services organisation is looking for a Senior Business Analyst to join their product engineering function. This is not a business process role. You will be embedded in a scrum squad working on enterprise-grade data products — shaping requirements, solving complex data problems, and acting as the connective tissue between product, engineering, and data architecture teams.
The organisation operates at the forefront of open-source intelligence, delivering data products and services to some of the world's most significant institutions. Their tech stack is modern, their roadmap is ambitious, and the data problems they're solving are genuinely interesting.
What you'll be doing:
- Taking vague, ambiguous product asks and turning them into clear, actionable specifications that engineering teams can build from.
- Deep-diving into data flows, ETL pipelines, and system integrations to understand what's actually happening under the hood.
- Writing user stories, epics, and acceptance criteria that are genuinely testable — not just well-formatted.
- Collaborating closely with data architects, engineers, and product managers (your stakeholders are mostly technical, so you'll need to speak their language).
- Using SQL or scripting to interrogate data, validate assumptions, and surface insights that move the product forward.
- Leading backlog refinement and contributing actively to sprint ceremonies.
- Challenging requirements and digging for the real problem — not just transcribing what you've been told.
What we're looking for:
The non-negotiables:
- 8+ years as a BA in data product environments — financial services, insurance, or similar data-heavy regulated sectors are particularly relevant.
- Hands-on experience with ETL pipelines and data transformation (medallion architecture / bronze-silver-gold a strong differentiator).
- Comfortable working with APIs, relational and non-relational databases, and cloud data platforms (AWS).
- Genuinely data literate — able to query data yourself, not just describe requirements for others to query.
- Strong analytical instincts — you solve problems, you don't just document them.
- Excellent communicator who can switch between technical and non-technical registers depending on the room.
Desirable:
- Familiarity with graph data modelling (nodes, relationships, properties).
- Experience with semantic data or ontologies.
- Background in or curiosity about intelligence, defence, or national security domains.
What's on offer:
- £70,000–£88,000 base salary depending on experience.
- Performance-related bonus (company and individual).
- 27 days annual leave plus an additional half-day every six months for wellbeing.
- Hybrid working — 2 days per week in Croydon or Manchester, remainder from home.
- A genuinely modern tech environment: cloud-native, AI/ML-enabled, fast-moving.
Business Analyst in England employer: Wave Group
Join a forward-thinking intelligence and data services organisation that prioritises employee growth and innovation. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a focus on modern technology, you'll thrive in a collaborative environment where your contributions directly impact the development of cutting-edge data products. Enjoy generous annual leave, performance bonuses, and the opportunity to work alongside industry experts in Croydon or Manchester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Analyst in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical skills. Since you’ll be working with data products, make sure you can talk about ETL pipelines and SQL confidently. We want you to shine when they ask you to solve a data problem on the spot!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills during interviews. Bring examples of how you've tackled complex data issues in the past. We love seeing candidates who can not only document problems but also provide solutions!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to dive into the world of data with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Analyst in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Business Analyst. Highlight your experience with data products, ETL pipelines, and any relevant sectors like financial services. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data and how your skills can help us tackle complex problems. Be sure to mention your hands-on experience with SQL and data transformation.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a BA, you'll need to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams. In your application, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively across different audiences. We love seeing examples of how you've done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wave Group
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As a Senior Business Analyst, you'll need to dive deep into data flows and ETL pipelines. Brush up on your SQL skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to solve complex problems in the past. Being able to showcase your hands-on experience will set you apart.
✨Speak Their Language
Your stakeholders will mostly be technical, so it's crucial to communicate effectively with them. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms and vice versa. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between product, engineering, and data architecture teams.
✨Prepare Actionable Specifications
The role involves turning vague product asks into clear specifications. Before the interview, think of examples where you've successfully written user stories or acceptance criteria that were genuinely testable. Be ready to discuss your approach to backlog refinement and sprint ceremonies.
✨Challenge Requirements Thoughtfully
Showcase your analytical instincts by discussing how you've challenged requirements in the past. Prepare examples where you've dug deeper to uncover the real problem rather than just transcribing what was told to you. This will highlight your problem-solving skills and proactive mindset.
