Business Analyst IV – Resource Development
Cambridge, MA
12-month contract-to-hire
 
Reports to: Director, Information Technology Services
 

General Responsibilities

The Business Analyst IV leads the implementation of strategic Resource Development projects, working closely with RD leadership to identify key initiatives and provide oversite of these initiatives. Will frequently convey project plans, progress and strategies to departmental managers and other stakeholders across RD.
 
Manages projects by effectively building support through discussion and compromise. Develops long-term project plans with strategic milestones. Negotiates timelines with both stakeholders and programming services/reporting analytics managers and others (vendors or consultants) responsible for delivering outcomes. Also drives vendors to deliver within established milestones and budgets.
 
In addition, the Business Analyst IV performs on-going analysis to determine requirements for the design, development and implementation of information systems for Resource Development and the Advancement community. Plays a key role in conducting business and data analysis for these systems and in implementing new business policies and procedures based upon system use. Performs application testing, develops end-user training curriculum and documentation as well as providing high level support.
 

Characteristic Duties

• Working with other RD managers, identifies critical projects, leads and develops project plan and manages lifecycle of projects from initial identification of tools and requirements, to managing implementation, to testing, to user adoption. Includes working across RD with senior stakeholders to establish priorities, milestones and key deliverables.
• Performs analysis for data and business requirements for the implementation of new systems, and upgrades, enhancements and maintenance of existing systems. This includes analysis of data structures, working with end-users to determine specifications for reports and system modules, and analysis of business processes. Develops and documents data and business models, issues and business requirements and report and system specifications.
• Mentors other analysts on team as well as developers on the RD team. Frequently reviews work of others and provides feedback on specific tasks and overall deliverables.
• Designs test plans and performs acceptance testing for his/her projects as well as overall system upgrades. Documents all test findings and works closely with application developers and project leads in the resolution of these issues, reporting issue to the vendor and re-testing revisions.
• Determines end-user requirements for training and develops training curriculum. Develops format and content for training sessions and prepares all training materials, both print and electronic. Develops coordinating documentation, such as user manuals, job aids and screen guides. May conduct training classes.
• Performs systems analysis of business issues and works together with the Directors in IT to make recommendations to improve business processes, use of the system and data integrity. This includes data usage and access policies, system use and business policies, workflow procedures, and design of data tables. Also works to uncover and resolve any data inconsistencies or integrity problems.
• Provides high end-user support in the use of the advancement services systems and other applications.
• Develops plans and procedures with programming and service desk team to ensure their preparedness to triage issues for new system functionality.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned.

 

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required. Requires 7 years of Business Analysis experience with evidence of successful project management in the implementation of business applications, business processes, enterprise systems, databases and/or CRMs.  Strong project management and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet challenging and changing deadlines. Experience gathering business or functional requirements collection and analysis required. Ability to reach out and collaborate across the organization. Ability to present information in a clear and cohesive manner to a variety of users. Must be a self-motivated team player with a willingness to collaborate with a variety of staff. High degree of professionalism, discretion, confidentiality and commitment to quality. Excellent written and oral communications skills.
 
Experience in the use and integration of a wide variety of business systems including enterprise database, reporting, web, mobile and desktop applications preferred. Experience in advancement services in higher education or other non-profit organization is strongly preferred. Experience with Ellucian's Advance very desirable. Experience in developing technical documentation very desirable. Knowledge of advanced database concepts, preferably in an Oracle environment desirable. Knowledge of Crystal Reports or other reporting software desirable.