Senior Business Analyst

DLA Piper LLP; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

We are seeking a Senior Business Analyst at DLA Piper LLP in Leeds to lead business analysis across medium to large change initiatives, from discovery through implementation. You will work with senior business and IT stakeholders to define drivers, scope and requirements, ensuring solutions deliver measurable value.

The role requires experience across the full project lifecycle within a global professional services environment, with knowledge of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery methods.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Senior Business Analyst within complex organisations and change environments.
• Expertise delivering business analysis across the full project lifecycle.
• Experience on medium to large scale transformation and business change programmes.
• Excellent requirements gathering, analysis and documentation skills.
• Strong process analysis and process mapping capability.
• Experience undertaking impact assessments, options analysis and risk evaluation.
• Ability to engage, influence and challenge senior stakeholders across business and IT.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; identify root causes.
• Experience translating complex business requirements into practical solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex, international environment.
• Experience in global professional services, legal or similarly complex organisations.
• Experience of Customer Experience, Journey Mapping and service design techniques.
• Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Experience supporting technology-enabled transformation programmes.
• BCS Business Analysis qualifications or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead business analysis activities across medium to large change initiatives from discovery through implementation.
• Investigate complex problems and identify changes across processes, people, information, technology, and structures.
• Define drivers, objectives, scope, requirements and expected benefits early in projects.
• Collaborate with senior business and IT stakeholders to understand strategic requirements and assess feasibility.
• Take a holistic view of challenges; ensure objectives and value are clear.
• Utilise Customer Experience and Journey Mapping techniques to understand current and future processes.
• Assess options and risks; recommend feasible and value-driven solutions.
• Perform detailed impact analysis across design options; identify dependencies and trade-offs.
• Translate business needs into clear, structured, deliverable requirements for delivery teams.
• Challenge assumptions and provide constructive recommendations to address core needs.
• Support projects throughout the full delivery lifecycle and keep requirements aligned to objectives.

Skills

Senior BA

Change programmes

Requirements gathering

Process mapping

Impact analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Root cause analysis

Complex environments

Customer Experience

Journey Mapping

Service design

Agile/Waterfall/hybrid

Tech-enabled transformation

BCS BA Certification

Education

BCS BA Certification

Job description

The Senior Business Analyst will play a key role in delivering business change initiatives across DLA Piper, engaging from the early stages of the project lifecycle through to successful implementation.

Working closely with senior business and technology stakeholders, the role will help define the drivers, objectives, scope and high level requirements for change initiatives. The Senior Business Analyst will take overall responsibility for detailed business analysis and requirements activity across medium to large initiatives, ensuring that proposed solutions are aligned to business objectives and deliver measurable value.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead business analysis activities across medium and large change initiatives from initial discovery through to implementation.
• Investigate complex business problems and opportunities, identifying changes required across processes, people, information, technology, organisational structures and roles.
• Define business drivers, objectives, scope, requirements and expected benefits at the early stages of the project lifecycle.
• Work closely with senior business and IT stakeholders to understand strategic requirements and assess the feasibility of proposed solutions.
• Take a holistic view of business challenges, ensuring that objectives, requirements, dependencies and expected value are clearly understood.
• Use techniques such as Customer Experience and Journey Mapping where appropriate to understand current and future state processes.
• Assess potential business and technology change options, providing recommendations based on feasibility, value, risk and strategic alignment.
• Undertake detailed impact analysis across proposed design options, identifying dependencies, risks and trade-offs.
• Translate business needs into clear, structured and actionable requirements for delivery teams.
• Challenge assumptions and provide constructive recommendations to stakeholders to ensure solutions address underlying business needs.
• Support projects throughout the full delivery lifecycle, ensuring requirements remain aligned to agreed objectives through to implementation.

About you

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience working as a Senior Business Analyst within complex organisations and change environments.
• Strong experience delivering business analysis across the full project lifecycle.
• Experience working on medium to large scale transformation and business change programmes.
• Excellent requirements gathering, analysis and documentation skills.
• Strong process analysis and process mapping capability.
• Experience undertaking impact assessments, options analysis and risk evaluation.
• The ability to engage, influence and challenge senior stakeholders across both business and technology functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes rather than symptoms.
• Experience translating complex business requirements into practical solutions.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a complex, international environment.
• Experience working within a global professional services, legal or similarly complex organisation.
• Experience of Customer Experience, Journey Mapping and service design techniques.
• Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Experience supporting technology enabled transformation programmes.
• Relevant Business Analysis qualifications such as BCS Business Analysis certifications or equivalent.

Personal attributes

• Confident and credible when working with senior stakeholders.
• Pragmatic and solutions focused.
• Comfortable challenging established ways of working.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative and able to build effective relationships across different teams and functions.
• Able to communicate complex issues clearly and concisely.

About you

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us.Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.