Business Analyst

Department: Division Services
Salary/Grade: ITS/79

About Student Affairs: By pursuing justice, equity, and belonging, Student Affairs cultivates student programs, services, and skills; disrupts barriers; and partners across Northwestern and neighboring communities to create an inclusive culture in which all students can thrive. Learn more about the Division of Student Affairs here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/about/strategic-plan/objectives.html

Student Affairs Information Technology (SAIT) provides effective, efficient, and collaborative IT services, solutions, and strategies to support the strategic goals of the Division of Student Affairs. Learn more about Student Affairs IT here: https://www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/sait/

Job Summary:

The Business Analyst performs tasks related to the design, implementation, support/maintenance, and enhancement of NU's enterprise, vendor and in-house applications. The Business Analyst documents functional requirements, analyzes requirements in the context of software and processes, develops and executes test plans, assists with and documents business process improvement efforts, and works with production issues. They complete content, process, and procedures for technical and functional system work that is low to medium in complexity. The Business Analyst designs and implements solutions using low-code platforms and workflow-oriented tools. The role typically works with senior staff but may coordinate smaller or less complex projects independently.

Pay Range: The pay range for the Business Analyst is $82,000 - $85,000, depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Partners with senior analysts, end users and peers to document and analyze functional requirements, identify gaps and alternative approaches to meet requirements, and ensure all deliverables completed (adhering to approved methodology and documentation standards).
• Partners with functional users and technical and reporting staff to determine best approaches, ensuring that approved solutions are implemented in a timely and correct fashion.

Administration

• Drafts accurate documentation of process, procedure, and system/application configuration.
• Formulates and executes test scripts, implementation project plans, rolls out communications and training materials.
• Outlines medium complexity use cases.

Development

• Designs and implements solutions for moderate to complex use cases using low-code platforms and workflow based tools.
• Formulates test scripts and performs detailed testing for moderate to complex use cases to ensure that the implemented software functions correctly.
• Participates in and may facilitate iterative feedback processes among users, developers, and analysts to ensure software functionality aligns with requirements. Draws on prior implementation experience to engage in discussions.

Performance

• Assists in software evaluation and enters moderate to complex configurations to meet user needs.
• Collects feedback from users on application performance and escalates moderate to complex critical performance issues with technical resources and management.
• Collaborates with technical, reporting and application resources to analyze and resolve moderate to complex production issues in a timely manner. Provides input into possible solutions based on prior system knowledge and basic analytical skills.

Supervision

• May provide work direction and/or supervise staff such as subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
• May manage basic projects or work packets ensuring timelines, deliverables and expectations are met.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

Minimum Competencies:

• 2 years business analysis or other relevant experience required.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Ability to maintain effective professional relationships.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Energy and enthusiasm for related work.

Preferred Skills:

• Microsoft 365 Platform
• Microsoft Power Automate, Power Apps, and Power BI
• SQL
• DocuSign
• Visio

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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