Business Analyst / Project Manager

The Business Analyst's role is to plan, design, develop, and launch effective and efficient business processes and supporting tools/technologies. This includes researching and analyzing business functions, process knowledge, and systems requirements. The Business Analyst is also responsible for actively generating and compiling recommendations based on his or her findings. This individual will apply proven communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills to help maximize the benefit of IT system investments and to assist in implementing new processes and systems.

Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy & Planning
 Work  with decision makers, systems owners, and end users to define business, financial, and operations requirements and systems goals, and identify and resolve systems issues.
 Chart existing business processes in order to define current business activities for the development of procedures and models.
 Research, review, and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of existing processes and tools – and develop strategies for enhancing or further leveraging these processes/tools
 Lead sessions in prototyping new procedures and systems for the purpose of enhancing business processes, operations, and information process flow.
 Prepare and deliver reports, recommendations, or alternatives for improving processes and systems in operating systems across the organization.
 Perform cost-benefit and return on investment (ROI) analyses for proposed changes to aid management in making implementation decisions.

Acquisition & Deployment
 Collaborate in the planning, design, development, and deployment of new applications, and enhancements to existing applications.
 Conduct research on software and hardware products to justify recommendations and to support purchasing efforts.

Operational Management
 Develop, standardize, and maintain new or improved processes and systems based on findings and analysis.
 Communicate changes, enhancements, and modifications * verbally or through written documentation * to management, peers, staff, and other employees so that issues and solutions are understood.
 Create models, specifications, diagrams, and charts to provide direction to programmers.
 Develop budgets and timeframes for changes in order to support company objectives.
 Liaise with various business groups in the organization to facilitate implementation of new or improved business processes and systems.
 Coordinate and perform in-depth tests, including end-user reviews, for modified and new processes and systems, and other post-implementation support.
 Perform cost-benefit and return on investment analyses for proposed processes and systems to aid management in making implementation decisions.

Business Processes
This position will be focused on the Human Resources (HR) function and associated processes, including:

 Talent Management 
o Recruiting
o Career Management
o Succession Management
o Enterprise Learning
o Employee Performance Management
o Compensation Management
 Workforce Process Management 
o Employee Administration
o Organizational Management
o Global Employee Management
o Benefits Management
o Time and Attendance
o Payroll and Legal Reporting
o HR Processes & Forms

IT Processes
The following IT processes are meant to indicate responsibilities and expectations:

Accountable: This role is fully accountable for the process

Accountable/Involved: This role is fully responsible for the process, but with the participation/support from roles that are outside direct reports

Responsible/Involved: This role is involved in the process and fully responsible for specific activities/areas

Qualifications
Formal Education
 Bachelor degree in the field of information technology or business administration

Knowledge & Experience
 Minimum 3 years of business analyst related experience
 Proven experience with business and technical requirements analysis, business process modeling/mapping, methodology development, and data modeling.
 Experience overseeing the design, development, and implementation of software and hardware solutions, systems, or products.
 Proven experience in the operation and analysis of database hardware, software, and standards, as well as data retrieval methodologies and applications.
 Extensive practical knowledge in importing data for use in report software, spreadsheets, graphs, and flowcharts.
 Ability to create systematic and manual operations procedures in both technical and user-friendly language.
 Ability to apply statistical and other research methods into systems issues and products as required.
 Extensive experience with core software applications, such as ERP, CRM, PLM, BI, etc.
 Demonstrated project management skills
 Excellent understanding of the organization*s goals and objectives.

Personal Attributes
 Able to exercise independent judgment and take action on it.
 Excellent analytical, mathematical, and creative problem-solving skills.
 Excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
 Logical and efficient, with keen attention to detail.
 Highly self motivated and directed.
 Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks
 Ability to conduct research into systems issues and products as required.
 Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language.
 Strong customer service orientation.
 Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

Licensing & Certification
 Certifications not required, but preference for CBAP, Six Sigma  Black Belt, etc.

Physical Demands & Work Environment
 Operate in an office environment
 On-call availability and periodic overtime.
 Sitting for extended periods of time.
 Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other computing equipment.

Percent Travel
 Up to 25%, including regular travel to/from primary IT operations center in Springfield, MO