Business Analyst, Life and Pensions

Cognizant Technology Solutions; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consulting firm in Edinburgh seeks a skilled Consultant to provide business analysis services for Insurance clients. The role involves building strong client relationships and contributing to practice growth. Ideal candidates will have 8+ years in Insurance, proven consulting skills, and experience in both waterfall and agile project lifecycles. This position offers opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Insurance.
• Demonstrable experience with different project life cycles: waterfall and agile.
• Experience as a trusted advisor to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide Consulting and Business Analysis services.
• Build strong customer relationships.
• Contribute to growth of local and global Insurance practices.

Skills

Building trusted advisor relationships

Translating complex strategies

Creating phased transformation roadmaps

Understanding business models

Performing Business Analysis roles

Gathering and analyzing requirements

Using AI tools

Defining problems and structuring recommendations

Full project life-cycle experience

Working in a matrix environment

Excellent knowledge in Life and Pensions

Education

Degree or recognized business professional qualification

Tools

MS Visio

MS Office Suite

Excel

Job description

The Company

Cognizant (NASDAQ:CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant has over 350,000 employees as of January 2025. Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ‑100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 1000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world.

Purpose of the Role

Work within a high‑energy and entrepreneurial Business & Technology Consulting Practice providing end‑to‑end Consulting and Business Analysis services to UK & Ireland based Insurance clients.

The role will focus on providing Insurance clients with Consulting and Business Analysis services, while at the same time contributing to the growth and vitality of both the local and global Insurance practices. It will also entail developing strong customer relationships and be a ‘Go‑To’ person that clients want to bring back for future engagements.

Essential Consulting Skills & Experience

• Building trusted advisor relationships, influencing senior stakeholders, and negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Translating complex strategies into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Ability to create phased transformation roadmaps connecting people, process, and technology.
• Deep understanding of business models, industry trends, and market dynamics to anticipate disruptions and craft long‑term strategies.

Contribution to Development of Practice

• Support practice management activities such as Proposition or Solution Development, Community & Communications, Sales & Operations Management.
• Contribute to Insurance practice by thought‑provoking ‘points of view’ or ‘white papers’.

Essential BA Skills & Experience

• Perform Business Analysis roles on complex Business & Technology Transformation programmes within Insurance clients, assisting them in achieving their business, technology, strategic and operational goals.
• Able to gather, prioritise, analyse, specify, and validate requirements including facilitation & coordination of user workshops.
• Experience in using AI tools across the life cycle to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Experience in effectively defining problem/scope, gathering/analyzing data, and structuring recommendations, creating presentations, and making compelling recommendations to clients.
• An appreciation for both business and technical requirements and the ability to bridge the gap between the two.
• Full project life‑cycle experience with demonstrable knowledge of different project life cycles: waterfall, agile; hands‑on experience in agile (Scrum).
• Experience of working in a matrix environment and ability to provide examples of proactively building and winning the trust of relevant business/IT stakeholders.
• Previous experience working in a similar capacity in other consultancies or the Insurance industry.
• Excellent knowledge in Life and Pensions, with at least 8+ years of experience.

Personal Attributes

• A ‘best practice practitioner’ Business Analyst (BA), with outstanding full project lifecycle Business Analysis skills.
• Able to work on simultaneous projects.
• Comfortable working in a team, building strong relationships with clients and colleagues as well as on your own.
• Comfortable facilitating workshops, e.g. to develop business requirements.
• Organised and able to prioritise competing responsibilities.
• Excellent engagement, communication skills (both written and verbal) and numeracy skills, able to deliver a concise message.
• Proficient in use of MS Visio and MS Office suite, specifically Excel.
• Self‑motivated, actively seeks responsibility and driven to achieve results.
• Ability to challenge the status quo and disrupt thinking, suggesting viable alternatives.
• Creative thinker, able to quickly analyse complex problems and identify appropriate solutions underpinned by logic and analytic approach.
• Open‑minded and pragmatic, willing to work with the tools available on assignment, or build them from scratch if required.
• Demonstrable accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and ensure successful delivery of assigned tasks.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Degree educated or have a recognised business professional qualification.
• Willing to travel to client sites across UK&I Mon‑Fri.

The Cognizant community

We are a high‑calibre team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what’s right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.

About us

Cognizant is one of the world’s leading professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry‑based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses.

Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ‑100 and one of Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, colour, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer

Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Interview Requirements

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government‑issued ID during each interview.