Job Description
Senior Business Analyst – GDS / Data Strategy / Data Platforms
Location: Newcastle
Rate /IR35 Status: £440 p/d inside
Contract Length: Initial 3-6 months (extension likely)
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Contract Business Analyst to support a high-profile government-focused programme delivering complex, data-driven transformation aligned with GDS (Government Digital Service) standards. This role sits at the intersection of data strategy, data platforms, and large-scale data architecture, requiring strong analytical capability and stakeholder engagement across technical and non-technical teams.
You will play a critical role in shaping how data is structured, governed, and leveraged to drive decision-making across a modern digital ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
Lead business analysis activities across data-centric programmes, including discovery, alpha, and delivery phases
Elicit, define, and document business requirements, user needs, and data requirements in line with GDS principles
Collaborate with data engineers, architects, and product teams to translate business needs into scalable data solutions
Analyse and map complex data flows, data models, and warehouse structures
Support the design and optimisation of data platforms and big data environments
Facilitate workshops, stakeholder interviews, and cross-functional alignment sessions
Produce high-quality documentation including user stories, process maps, data dictionaries, and service blueprints
Ensure alignment with data governance, compliance, and public sector standards
Act as a bridge between policy, operational, and technical teams
Required Experience
Proven experience as a Senior Business Analyst within UK Government or public sector environments
Strong understanding of GDS frameworks, service standards, and agile delivery
Extensive experience working on data-heavy programmes (data strategy, data warehousing, or analytics platforms)
Demonstrable experience with:
* Data models (conceptual, logical, physical)
* Data warehouses / lakehouses
* Big data ecosystems (e.g., cloud-based platforms)
Strong skills in requirements engineering, stakeholder management, and facilitation
Experience working in Agile / Scrum environments
Ability to translate complex data concepts into clear business language