Sr Business Analyst

JOB SUMMARY

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works with clients to develop business requirements; conducts business analysis including analysis of the competitive situation, understanding business practices and approaches and recommending business process changes. Serves as conduit between division and IT to integrate systems and business processes, drive their work into systems initiatives and lead system selection processes. 
• Plans and executes unit, integration and acceptance testing; and creates specifications for systems to meet business requirements. Designs details of automated systems. Works with mangement to develop policies and processes for the department. Regularly leads in the resolution of the most challenging business systems analysis challenges including collaborating with vendors and industry leaders. 
• Conducts significant systems testing; supports data conversions; supports local system rollouts; exercises any required project management and execute all work in alignment with HISD’s systems plans.
• Understands, proposes, educates and helps implement new business processes through business operations and new systems. Works to continually understand business requirements, document them in standard formats, obtain business user approval and work them seamlessly into the bigger picture. 
• Helps users develop processes, procedures, and training.
• May provide consultation to users in the area of automated systems. May lead cross-functional linked teams to address business or systems issues. 
   

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree; prefer Master’s Degree
In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, additional equivalent and directly related education and experience, as determined by Human Resources and the hiring manager. Equivalent experience is four or more years in a related field, in addition to the minimum experience requirement of 12 years.
 

WORK EXPERIENCE

12+ years 
IT professional coming from other disciplines with 12+ years of directly related IT experience. Substantial experience leading and working with staff to develop skills and technical certifications

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Expert analytical skills and business acumen including knowledge of multiple divisions. As an expert in the field, uses professional concepts in developing resolution to critical issues and broad design matters. Remains current in primary certifications. Has typically completed basic certification in 2-3 related fields. Is an expert in software engineering, is fully versed in information engineering and areas such as application development, middleware and databases.
Expert in use case modeling, object modeling, use case analysis and use of UML notation. Expert knowledge in the appropriate tools such as ProForma and IDS Scheers. While it is the goal to use an object modeling approach that leads to system creation, this position must be experienced enough to adjust the approach as to meet project goals, people’s understanding and avoid making the process overly technical. Expert facilitation and organizational change management skills to include the application of facilitation tools and techniques. Understands team dynamics; has the ability to apply collaborative problem solving techniques.
 

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Work Leadership. Regularly provides project management or team leadership to a group of employees, but does not have formal supervisory responsibility. Leading and directing typically involved monitoring work and providing guidance on escalated issues. Most of work time is spent performing many of the same duties they are leading. Exercises wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches to critical assignments. Specialist level positions are expected to provide work guidance, project management, technical advice, training, and mentoring to other employees. These positions are expected to share information with less senior positions and develop them to higher level positions. 

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Specifies requirements for a plan and/or budget.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Greater latitude and discretion is warranted in making decisions, which affect major areas of HISD and possibly the organization's public image. The job is constantly expected to apply creative solutions to complex problems and develop new ideas and concepts. Reviews and approves decisions and/or recommendations that may have a significant impact on the entire organization.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the organization causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence – interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Leads others in the resolution of highly sensitive and confidential issues on behalf of the department. Acts as a trusted advisor, and becomes involved in the customer's decision making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems. Monitors customer service standards.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements. Repetitive motion: Substantial movements of the wrists, hands, fingers, and/or upper body for sustained periods of time, including using extremities to drag, push, pull or grasp. Sitting: Particularly for sustained periods of time. Work is normally set to specified shifts. This position is expected to be goal and customer service focused. During times of emergencies, outages and project planned work; employees are expected to be on call and available until the event is addressed. During system conversions, extra effort may be required in order to ensure the roll out of the system is successful.