business analyst job description

Business Analyst Job Description

On Posted on by NIJobs.com Team to Job Descriptions
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Find Out What A Business Analyst Is All About With Our Complete Job Description

This article was updated on December 2019.

Never miss another Business Analyst Job opportunity. Click the button to get Business Analyst Jobs delivered directly to your inbox.

Setup a Business Analyst Job alert

What Is The Role And Responsibility Of Business Analyst?

You could be known by a variety of different names such as Process Analyst, Business Architect or Systems Analyst. Regardless of your title, regular duties include the following:

  • Speaking to the leading members of companies to find out what they hope to achieve
  • Analyse a firm’s existing business processes to discover what they do and how they do it
  • Recommend changes and improvements
  • Explaining the reasoning behind your analysis and outline why your recommendations will benefit the company
  • Work with a senior manager to agree on the best method of introducing your plans to the firm
  • Create written reports on your findings and recommendations
  • Oversee the testing and quality checks of your suggestions to ensure they are implemented correctly

View and apply for Business Analyst jobs

How Much Is A Business Analyst Salary?

Job TitleExperience levelAnnual Salary
Newly qualified Business Analyst0-3 yearsStarting from £42,500
Business Analyst3-5 yearsAverage £52,500
Senior Business Analyst5+ years+ £77,500

A newly qualified business analyst can earn from £42,000 per annum. Your annual salary could increase to an average of £52,500 with 5+ years experience and £77,500+ if you become a Senior Business Analyst.

This may vary between locations, the highest salaries (average) in 2019 according to location are:

  • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire – £110,749
  • Swindon, Wiltshire – £99,009
  • Newcastle Upon Tyne – £95,379

What Qualifications Do I Need?

The high level of competition in this field means a Bachelor’s Degree is essential if you wish to get your foot in the door. Although graduates in any discipline have the opportunity of landing a job, your chances increase with a degree in a business-related field such as Business Computing Systems or Business Information Systems.

A technical background such as a degree in Programming or Software Development is also useful.

Large corporations often have dozens of candidates for a business analyst opening, so a recognised professional certification is probably required for these coveted roles. Reputable organisations such as The Chartered Institute for IT or The International Institute of Business Analysis UK offer professional certification.

If you have a degree in a non-IT or business field, consider taking on a postgraduate course to catch up.

What Skills Do You Need To Be A Business Analyst?

Successful business analysts have the following traits and abilities:

  • Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Outstanding communication skills as you must explain technical solutions in layman’s terms to colleagues with limited knowledge of computing
  • The capacity to work under pressure on several projects at once
  • A genuine interest in the world of business
  • A reasonable understanding of IT
  • The ability to anticipate problems and respond to unforeseen events

Click to hire a Business Analyst

Business Analyst Employers

You can work in the public or private sector for companies of all sizes. It is possible to work in-house for a firm or on behalf of a consultancy group. It is increasingly common for experienced business analysts to work on a consultancy or freelance basis.

How Many Hours Do Business Analyst Work?

The role of business analyst is a demanding one as you could be under extreme pressure to meet exacting deadlines. Your work weeks are long when a client or your employer initiates change, and it can be frustrating when staff doesn’t adapt to new technologies.

If you work as an employee of a firm, you will work normal weekday hours with occasional weekends. As a contractor, you can set your hours, but people in this position tend to work longer hours than their salaried counterparts. You must be flexible as a contractor because your hours will seldom be ‘standard.’

Business Analyst Job Description – What Would Be A Good Career Path?

If you are looking to become a business analyst, there are numerous opportunities to improve your level of experience before completing a college degree. Business analysis is a requirement in virtually every sector so try and find valuable work experience. Examples include voluntary work with small businesses or charities, and you should look for any summer internships available on your course.

You need to gain experience as an entry-level business analyst if you wish to progress in your career. After a few years in the role, you can continue as a general analyst or look to specialise in a particular field. The most obvious advancement opportunity is a promotion to the role of a senior analyst, but you could also become a director or an executive.

Are you looking to hire a Management professional?

Career Advice