Lead Business Analyst

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (Malawi) Limited; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance and financial services provider is seeking an experienced Lead Business Analyst in South Africa. This role involves driving business transformation, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and ensuring alignment across cross-functional teams. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in Business Analysis, relevant certifications, and a strong understanding of both traditional and Agile methodologies. The ability to thrive in a dynamic and pressured environment is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or relevant tertiary qualification required.
• 5+ years' experience in Business Analysis is essential.
• 2+ years of working in an Agile or SAFe environment is needed.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate conversations with stakeholders to understand business needs.
• Conduct analysis of systems and processes.
• Lead stakeholder engagement between business and delivery teams.
• Maintain and refine the product backlog.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Business analysis

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Adaptability

Process optimization

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Business Analysis certification

Agile certification

Job description

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

The MFC (Mass & Foundation Cluster) Business Change Execution team is looking for a strategic, forward thinking, and agile Lead Business Analyst who thrives in fast paced, evolving environments. This is an exciting opportunity for a BA who is passionate about shaping business transformation, influencing strategic direction, and enabling cross functional teams to deliver impactful solutions. You will drive end to end delivery - from conceptualising requirements through to solution implementation - while fostering alignment, clarity, and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• 1. Understand & Translate Business Needs Facilitate insightful conversations with stakeholders to unpack business challenges and opportunities. Convert complex requirements into clear actionable business needs and communicate these effectively to delivery teams.
• 2. Analyse the Business Domain Conduct comprehensive analysis of systems, processes, and workflows through all phases. Perform structured impact assessments that highlight implications for people, processes, technology, and operations. Identify automation opportunities and support early-stage initiative scoping.
• 3. Determine Business Value Partner with business owners to define problems, risks, dependencies, scope, MVP options, and measurable value. Help stakeholders evaluate solution choices using cost-benefit insights.
• 4. Refine and Maintain the Backlog Convert requirements into well-crafted user stories with clear acceptance criteria. Support prioritisation and backlog grooming to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• 5. Enable Teams to See the Big Picture Facilitate sessions that link initiatives to organisational strategy and desired outcomes. Guide teams in understanding process changes, stakeholder impacts, policies, and decision-making frameworks.
• 6. Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration Act as the connector between business and technical teams, ensuring alignment across the delivery lifecycle. Gather and integrate feedback to iteratively improve delivered solutions.
• 7. Identify & Mitigate Risks Proactively surface risks, dependencies, and constraints. Drive mitigation actions and support contingency planning.
• 8. Champion Continuous Improvement Participate actively in retrospectives and Agile forums. Advocate for process optimisation to strengthen team performance and product quality.
• 9. Lead Knowledge Sharing & Training Share best practices, lessons learned, and insights across teams. Contribute to the Business Analysis Community of Practice and promote a culture of learning.

Key Skill Requirements

• Essential: Familiarity with both traditional and agile project methodologies, processes, tools and frameworks.
• Documents requirements including data modelling, interface layouts, data flows, screen and report layouts, etc.
• Works closely with business stakeholders, project manager and delivery teams to design and implement solutions within constraints.
• Owns systems, user acceptance testing and implementation of changes or new applications.
• Ensures all testing protocols are adhered to.
• Investigates and defines requirements for business processes.
• Works with managers and relevant users on feasibility studies and establishing business and systems requirements.
• Formulates strategies and guidelines to improve the business environment.
• Analyses system or business processes to determine problems, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Facilitates the implementation of new or enhanced processes.
• Reviews processes and conducts process audits, as required.
• Provides support and facilitates sessions for end users.
• Ability to comprehend information in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to operate in a highly pressured and ambiguous environment.
• Ability to build and maintain a healthy, collaborative and productive team culture.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to foster collaboration across teams.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with the capacity to inspire and motivate teams toward common goals.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and thrive in a dynamic environment.

Requirements

• Matric
• Bachelor's Degree or relevant tertiary qualification
• Relevant Business Analysis certification
• Relevant Agile certification
• 5+ years' experience in Business Analysis
• 2+ years working experience in an Agile or SAFe environment.

Competencies

• Action Oriented
• Business Insight
• Cultivates Innovation
• Decision Quality
• Ensures Accountability
• Manages Complexity
• Nimble Learning
• Optimizes Work Processes

Education

Matriculation Certificate (Matric) (Required)

Closing Date

30 January 2026 , 23:59

EEO Statement

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

The Old Mutual Story!