Business Systems Analyst | Cira £45,800 + excellent benefits | Permanent | Hybrid
At Thatcham Research, we connect people, processes, and technology to make operations run smarter. As a Business Systems Analyst, you’ll help us maximise the value of our commercial off‑the‑shelf (COTS) applications and lead both system changes and the process reviews that support daily operations across Finance, Commercial, HR, and other key business areas. Through structured process, you’ll generate the insight the organisation needs to make informed decisions turning challenges into practical, data‑driven solutions that enhance efficiency, user experience, and overall system effectiveness.
You’ll collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation to understand challenges and opportunities, shape effective solutions, assess supplier options, and support delivery using established governance and best‑practice business analysis.
This role is perfect for someone who enjoys solving challenges, shaping smart systems, and driving meaningful organisational change.
As the Business Systems Analyst, you’ll:
* Lead operational change: Own well‑scoped initiatives from request through to delivery, assessing impact across people, process, data, and technology.
* Understand the need: Run workshops, map processes, capture and validate requirements, and perform gap/root‑cause analysis to inform decision‑making.
* Evaluate options: Review current systems and research COTS or light customisation routes, clearly outlining benefits, risks, assumptions, and constraints.
* Enable delivery: Coordinate configuration, testing, and training with suppliers and internal teams to drive adoption and outcomes.
* Review and optimise processes: Document current workflows using structured business analysis techniques to assess operational efficiency and highlight opportunities for improvement.
* Partner with stakeholders: Build strong relationships, manage expectations, and communicate clearly throughout the project lifecycle.
* Generate documentation: Prepare well‑defined documentation (requirements, designs, process maps, comms plans, risks/issues) and follow organisational policies and governance practices.
* Be the glue: Collaborate with PMO, IT Services, Cloud & Security, InfoSec, Legal and Finance to land changes safely and on budget.
* Improve continuously: Bring ideas that lift how we work - tools, templates, process, and practice.
Skills & experience that will set you up for success in this role:
* Business analysis toolkit: Skilled in requirements elicitation, workshop facilitation, process mapping, gap/root‑cause analysis, and data‑driven insights.
* COTS implementation experience: Comfortable across the implementation lifecycle (exposure to integrations/data flows is a plus, not a must).
* Stakeholder confidence: You engage clearly and adapt your style to different audiences; you maintain alignment and manage expectations.
* Problem‑solving mindset: Pragmatic, outcome‑focused solutions that balance business need, technical feasibility, and risk.
* Change‑ready: Understanding of change management principles and how to support user adoption.
* Structured & proactive: Able to plan, track, and deliver work (e.g., in Jira), escalating early and documenting decisions well.
* Growth‑oriented: Curious, self‑motivated, and keen to learn new systems, tools, and methods.
Did you know...
Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don’t apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities.
We know the perfect candidate doesn’t exist! If you think you have what it takes but don’t tick every box, we’d still encourage you to apply - it could be a perfect fit!
Perks & Benefits
Salary - Circa £45,800 dependent on skills & experience.
* 10% non‑contributory pension
* 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays
* Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)
* Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)
* Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)
* Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure
* Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
* Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
* Benenden Health Care (opt‑in benefit)
* Reward & Recognition Programme
* Discounted gym membership
* Sports & Social club
* Payroll charitable giving
* Subsidised on‑site restaurant
* Free on‑site parking
When we work
Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45 (Talk to us about flexible working if this doesn’t quite suit you – we take work‑life balance seriously!)
How we work
We understand the benefits of remote and in‑person collaboration and therefore have a hybrid working model – you’ll be expected to work from our office in Thatcham at least two days per week.
What we do
At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on‑site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry.
Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.
Our Values
As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change.
Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging.
Recruitment process
We’re proud to manage our recruitment in‑house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.
What can you expect from our recruitment process?
* Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application
* An initial telephone screening call with our Recruitment Business Partner
* First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams
* Second/Final interview, in‑person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)
* Personalised feedback following your interview – because everyone deserves that!
* An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above
We’re committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.
All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.
If you're experiencing any issues with our career site or application from, please let us know here: careers@thatcham.org.
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