Summary

The Business Analyst, IT Product Management is a role within the Information Technology department and will be responsible for providing support throughout the entire software & solution product lifecycle.  This includes product solution scoping through requirements gathering to development to rollout and ongoing product solution optimization. This role ensures that all product solutions align with the company’s strategic goals, meet market needs, and deliver value to our dealer customers, agents, and field sales teams. The Business Analyst, IT Product Management works closely with cross-functional teams, including the leadership, sales, marketing, claims, operations, accounting, IT product managers, IT engineering, and the enterprise program office to ensure execution excellence.

The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between stakeholders and the technical team, ensuring that business requirements are clearly defined and effectively communicated. The Business Analyst, IT Product Management will play a crucial role in analyzing business needs, documenting requirements, and facilitating the development of software product solutions that meet organizational goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to gather and analyze business requirements.
• Document functional and non-functional requirements for software development projects.
• Create detailed use cases, user stories, and process flow diagrams.
• Work closely with developers, product managers, and project managers to ensure requirements are understood and implemented correctly.
• Conduct gap analysis and feasibility studies to identify potential solutions.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings to elicit requirements and gather feedback.
• Assist in the development of test plans and participate in user acceptance testing (UAT).
• Monitor project progress and provide updates to stakeholders to include:
  1. Status reporting to ensure standards, consistency, and efficiency of project execution.
  2. Updating capacity needs against estimates.
  3. Early escalation of red flags that put the software product development off timeline.
  4. Ensure proper attention is given to project risks.
  5. Collaborate with development teams and stakeholders to identify contingency and risk mitigation opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, improved development governance, and contribute to the continuous enhancement of the software development lifecycle.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience and expertise as a Business Analyst in software development projects.
• Strong understanding of software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Waterfall).
• Proficiency in requirements gathering techniques and documentation practices.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated skill in working with a matrixed team focused on large complex initiatives.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Trello) and software development tools (e.g., UML, BPMN).
• Knowledge of database management and basic SQL is a plus.
• CBAP and/or CCBA certification preferred.
• Automotive F&I experience strongly preferred.

Skills

• Proven experience with a with a keen focus on dealer, lender, and customer satisfaction.   Dedicated to understanding and meeting stakeholder needs, both inside and outside the company.
• Strong problem-solving skills, to include operating in complex and unfavorable situations. 
• Innovative thinking with ability to mobilize ideas into action.
• Proven ability to execute to KPIs and use them to drive desired outcomes.
• Proven ability to evaluate alternative courses of action and make recommendation in ambiguous and sometimes unfavorable conditions.
• Must be able to simultaneously manage multiple tasks of varying complexity, priority, and ambiguity.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to share complex, technical topics clearly, concisely, effectively, and professionally.
• Must be highly analytical, process oriented, collaborative, and creative.
• Demonstrated ability to manage in ambiguity and demonstrate grit and perseverance in unfavorable conditions while maintaining a professional approach.
• Must be intrinsically motivated (cannot require constant support/supervision).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to type and look at a computer screen for long periods of the day. Occasional travel, including overnight, will be required, up to 40%. 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Note

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the responsibilities and the job qualifications of the position. 

Employee__________________________________ Date_____________ 

Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO) is a Drug Free Workplace as well as an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants shall be considered for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.