Lead Business Analyst, Financial Planning & Affordability

Lead Business Analyst, Financial Planning & Affordability £650 to £700 p/d | Outside IR35 | Contract to March 2027 Andover | 2 days per week onsite | DV Clearance required Ncounter is supporting a major Defence programme with the appointment of a Lead Business Analyst specialising in Financial Planning and Affordability. This is a senior, hands-on BA position requiring a strong combination of transformation experience and genuine expertise across financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, affordability and investment decision-making. You will lead discovery and analysis across complex financial and portfolio planning processes, working closely with senior Finance, Programme and Portfolio stakeholders. The focus will be on understanding how budgets, resources, programmes and strategic priorities interact, identifying capability gaps and defining improved processes and future-state operating models. Key responsibilities: • Lead BA activity across Financial Planning and Affordability workstreams • Analyse budgeting, forecasting, affordability and financial planning processes • Support investment prioritisation, portfolio planning and benefits management • Lead discovery sessions, workshops, requirements gathering and process analysis • Define future-state processes, operating models and implementation roadmaps • Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders and governance groups We are looking for: • Extensive Senior or Lead Business Analysis experience within complex transformation programmes • Strong hands-on experience across financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and/or affordability • Experience of investment planning, portfolio management, resource planning or benefits management • Confidence working with senior stakeholders including Finance Leads, SROs and Programme Directors • Defence or MOD programme experience, particularly around financial management, portfolio planning or investment decision-making • Current SC Clearance and availability to work onsite in Andover 2 days per week There is also a digital and data element, including improved management information and affordability modelling, although the core requirement remains strong Business Analysis combined with financial and portfolio planning expertise. The contract is expected to start on 1st September and run until 31st March 2027. If you have the relevant financial planning experience, current SC Clearance and can move quickly for a September start, please contact Ncounter to discuss the programme and requirements in more detail.