Business Analyst

Role: Business Analyst
Type: Contract (Inside IR35)
Duration: 12 months
Location: Central London (Hybrid 3 days per week)

Overview
We are seeking experienced Business Analysts to join a major change programme within a leading financial services environment. We're looking for BA who can operate confidently across complex transformation initiatives, working closely with senior stakeholders to identify business needs, shape solutions, and drive successful delivery.
This is an excellent opportunity for Business Analysts with strong Cards and Payments experience, particularly within Issuing, Acquiring, or broader Payment Services environments, who are passionate about delivering strategic change and influencing key business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, analyse, and document business problems, opportunities, and requirements.
• Translate complex business needs into clear, structured, and actionable requirements.
• Engage with stakeholders across business and technology teams to shape and validate solutions.
• Challenge assumptions and requirements constructively to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Support the development of business cases, feasibility assessments, and investment proposals.
• Maintain end-to-end traceability from requirements through to delivery.
• Monitor scope, risks, dependencies, and change impacts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support delivery teams to ensure solutions meet agreed business objectives.
• Facilitate workshops, requirements gathering sessions, and stakeholder reviews.
• Provide oversight and assurance across programme delivery activities.

Required Experience

• Demonstrable experience delivering as a Business Analyst across complex change and transformation programmes.
• Strong track record of managing requirements throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Experience working with and influencing senior stakeholders across business and technology functions.
• Ability to challenge requirements and drive consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience supporting strategic decision-making through business cases, feasibility studies, research, and analysis.
• Strong understanding of risk, controls, governance, and regulatory considerations within change initiatives.
• Proven experience within Cards and Payments, including:
  • Card Issuing
  • Card Acquiring
  • Payment Processing
  • Merchant Services
  • Scheme Payments (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)

Key Skills & Strengths Strategic & Delivery Focused

• Ability to understand broader business objectives and align change initiatives accordingly.
• Focused on driving outcomes and ensuring delivery against agreed objectives.

Stakeholder Management

• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Builds trusted relationships across multiple levels of the organisation.
• Strong workshop facilitation and negotiation capabilities.

Analytical Thinking

• Skilled at analysing complex information and identifying practical solutions.
• Comfortable evaluating multiple options and making evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-support capability.

Preferred Background

• Financial Services, Banking, FinTech, or Payments sector experience.
• Experience working within large-scale transformation programmes.
• Knowledge of card payment ecosystems, payment flows, and related operational processes.