Business Analyst

POSITION DESCRIPTION:            

- Will provide support to applications by responding to user requests, determining an appropriate course of action using expert resources as necessary and implementing a solution.
- Using proficiency in both business and applications knowledge, investigate and recommend custom or packaged software solutions that support business needs while maximizing long-term viability and scalability of enterprise applications. Facilitate prioritization or feasibility of IT support projects and make recommendations to management.
- Liaison between the client group and Enterprise Applications in an Advisory/expert or consulting capacity to create project charters and proposals, Service level targets/Operating Level Agreements/Maintenance Level Agreements (SLA/OLA/MLA). Demonstrate an understanding of the departmental cost model and utilization principles, and ensure that team efforts are effectively allocated per the project charter/SLA/OLA/MLA. Work with project and customer management to facilitate communication between IT and business units, including open issues, project prioritization, resolutions, project requests, functional support, and resource allocation. Facilitate cooperation and rationalization of unclear or conflicting goals, assist in identifying and communicating viable alternatives, and assist in the implementation of decisions.
- Participate in strategic application/technology discussions to determine long-range business solutions. Assist business unit with defining business processes, identifying potential areas for ongoing improvement or re-engineering, and implementing solutions that utilize technology to enhance efficiency and productivity.
- Facilitate, coordinate, and support IT initiatives by drawing upon specialist areas of expertise such as applications development, web development, systems architecture, quality assurance, etc. Solicit input from all appropriate parties to ensure technical solutions are consistent with enterprise direction.
- Perform hands-on Analyst role by documenting and analysing requirements (eg business system, security, conversion, and report), developing functional design and document specifications, and assisting with conversion, testing, training, and other project needs throughout the development life cycle.
- PERFORM HANDS-ON PM ROLE FOR SMALL-SCALE INITIATIVES not requiring a full project team by developing project plans, cost estimates, or other resource estimates; providing direction to matrixed project resources as necessary; and preparing for contingencies.
- Perform hands-on development for break fixes in the production environment.
- Provide 24/7 and on-call duties within the operations area as needed.
- Other tasks and duties as assigned to support the team and/or business.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- At least 5+ years combined technical and functional business experience, with a minimum of 3 years Information Technology experience functioning across the software development life cycle, from analysing, project management, development and support
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with various Financial applications. ie Hyperion Essbase, Peoplesoft Financials, Concur, Get Paid, etc
- Demonstrated and strong project management skills across multiple system types
- Demonstrated ability to implement solutions via code. Document all code using standard forms and procedures.
- Develop and modify complex, deadline-intensive, and/or mission-critical applications.
- Demonstrated ability to "dig in" and solve problems with minimal background information
- Ability to summarize and communicate complex problems to customers and non-technical audiences
- Strong understanding of financials and business processes
- Must be able to learn to use new tools and technologies quickly and independently
- Demonstrated success in being solicited for, and providing, input to strategic business plans involving technology by the customer.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully perform analysis, support, training, reporting, and testing.
- Provide root cause analysis in the event of a system outage and/or issue where the system was not available for users
- Work with other teams as appropriate to implement application and/or O/S patching
- Proactively monitor and tune databases and calc scripts/business rules
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge of network systems hardware and software practice and technology. Experience with platforms such as UNIX, Windows, Tom Cat or other operating systems
- Proficient skills using the MS Office suite and process modelling tools
- Experience with Client Server architecture and application support methodology.
- Experience with relational databases and queries
- BS in Computer Science, MIS, business, or equivalent education/training/experience. Advanced degree preferred.
- Professional certification in business or IT (eg, consulting, PeopleSoft, ITILv3) preferred