Business Analyst - GCHQ - SEO
Government Digital & Data -
Location
Cheltenham
About the job
Job summary
As one of our Business Analysts, you’ll be at the heart of delivering change across GCHQ. Leading analysis for a portfolio of projects and contributing to larger, more complex initiatives, the focus is on understanding and define problems, then recommending and supporting the delivery of solutions. The work involves collaborating within a multidisciplinary team and engaging a wide range of stakeholders to understand strategic goals, assess options, and translate business and user needs into clear, actionable outputs. The aim: solving the right problems, in the right way, and delivering value for colleagues who depend on this insight.
Job description
On a day-to-day basis, the role centres on producing clear, high-quality analysis such as business models, process designs, option appraisals, requirements artifacts, and written briefings. This include eliciting, understanding, and prioritising the needs and goals of different colleagues and business areas, while managing differing perspectives and constraints. As an experienced practitioner, there is also the opportunity to contribute to higher-level strategic work, translating policy and wider organisational objectives into practical impacts on services, teams, and delivery plans.
The role involves a blend of independent work, acting as a primary business analysis contact within a team, and collaborating with external partners such as suppliers and government departments. Line management may come later, but mentoring and supporting colleagues is an important part of the role from the outset. As involvement in more complex projects grows, so does the responsibility for guiding less-experienced team members, sharing knowledge, helping them develop their skills, and strengthening the wider business analysis community.
You could be working within departments such as technology, facilities, people or information, giving you a varied workload that spans both vital internal systems and new technology supporting mission-critical activity. It is an opportunity to be part of significant projects across GCHQ that keep the UK safe, applying analytical skills to meaningful and unique challenges.
Person specification
Extensive practical experience as a Business Analyst is essential, including independent delivery analysis across a range of projects and programmes. Sound business-modelling skills mean confidence in leading process analysis and improvement, and in creating high-level organisation, process, system, and data models to support decision-making. A solid background in requirements management, process improvement, stakeholder engagement, digital systems, assurance activity, and cross-organisation working is important.
The environment can be complex, with shifting priorities and ambiguous requirements, so adaptability and resilience are crucial. Robust capability in eliciting and managing user requirements is vital, along with the ability to tailor outputs to different audiences and collaborate effectively across multiple teams.
Leadership potential is also important, particularly the motivation to progress into line management over time, with training and support provided where needed. Confidence working independently and representing the business analysis community in conversations with senior stakeholders will also contribute to success in the role.
A degree or specific qualifications are not required; the focus is on skills and experience. Business analysis expertise may have been gained in any sector from government to large private enterprises.
