Business System Analyst 3

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $65,779 and $83,210, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Student Financial Services is responsible for student financials functions, both student accounts and university managed student loans. The Business System Analyst will serve as a key member of the Student Financial Services team. Working under general direction, perform a variety of business and database analyses in the student financials business area: work with department staff to understand and assist in addressing advanced business and operational issues and problems; frequently perform project leadership responsibilities for assigned student financials projects; translating business and operational requirements into designs and specifications for workable information technology solutions; analyze and document business and work processes, information needs and reporting requirements, evaluate process improvements and develop systems solutions to meet requirements; and develop, communicate and coordinate applications development and other information technology services to meet requirements and specifications.

Essential Functions

• Function as the business/project manager for Student Financial Services, balancing multiple projects and priorities within and across modules and customers. Responsible for complete project life cycle, working independently and with emphasis on all customer facing activities by serving as the functional lead and liaison to University Technology (UTech), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)/ Student Information Systems (SIS) technical groups, and as part of the ERP team. Serve on other information system and data processing committees as needed. Partner with the SIS business analyst team to suggest business process improvements and create business process maps. Work with UTech technical team to submit Oracle cases for Case Western Reserve University student financial needs. Evaluate student financials access request and work with the PeopleSoft Security administrator as well as the SIS business analyst team to recommend applications security protocols and privileges. Translate student financials system needs and requirements with other functional areas (Financial Aid, PeopleSoft Financials Support Team), UTech staff and the SIS business analyst team. Understand problems from a broad, interactive perspective. Able to develop, negotiate resolution of conflicting/competing requirements, and implement solutions. (25%)
• Perform a variety of advanced business and data analysis for student financials area. Define project scope and boundaries; perform critical path analyses and sets project priorities; develop project task lists, project plans, and time estimates; perform cost benefit analyses; establish project metrics; oversee and coordinate completion of project tasks to meet time, quality and cost expectations; meet with team to review project status and resolve development and/or implementation issues. Apply business process analysis and technical expertise to identify, evaluate, and define complex technical requirements and scope through research and fact-finding, combined with an understanding of applicable business systems and industry requirements. Define application data requirements, functional system requirements, and file and table structures. Diagram data flow and relationships and recommend database specifications. Responsible for systems analysis and development, systems applications, and business processes with significant operational impact to meet the department's goals. (20%)
• Write system requirement and specification documents for the student financials area. Assist in coordinating and leading new information system implementations and version upgrades. Evaluate various vendor solutions and determine if the solution is an appropriate fit. Design test scenarios, conduct system testing, identify types and causes of testing problems, and ensure, diagnose, and mitigate that all new applications are functioning appropriately. Recommend hardware, network and/or software characteristics and requirements. Maintain functional design document for student financials, including documenting major system and business process changes and enhancements. (15%)
• Ensure quality control within and between student financials and general ledger systems: Create and manage running daily, weekly, and ad hoc audit reports to identify and/or correct errors related to data entry or system errors. Analyze reports, identify problems, and plan and implement solutions. Create and maintain current operational procedures and standards related to SIS Student Financials. Use query tools to develop and generate reports for department as needed in order to fulfil department goals, and design error reports for data management quality control. (15%)
• Serve as the department lead in cross-functional teams to solve complex business processes for information systems issues involving interfaces with systems used across student financial services and the university. Coordinate and integrate assigned work with other staff responsible for applications development, database administration, server administration and network administration to ensure application design and functionality is consistent with all requirements and specifications. Consult and provide advice, facilitate discussion, and resolve conflict; build and use cross-functional relationships to accomplish work objectives. Establish trust and actively participates in cross-functional groups to solve problems. (10%)
• Analyze systems interface requirements with third party vendors as well as with internal systems related to the student financials area; manage system interfaces; and evaluate work products. Coordinate imports and exports between system and various external software services. Troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve technical problems with internal and third party vendor systems; evaluate alternatives and make suggestions and/or solve issues. (7%)
• Stay abreast of developments and trends in student financials in higher education to anticipate emerging information management, operations and university needs. Review impacts of these changes and provides analyses and recommendations to remain in compliance; ensuring that department follows industry standards and best practices. (5%)
  
  
  

Nonessential Functions

Perform other duties as assigned. (<3%)

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with staff to provide information, resolve complaints and develop new functionality.

University: Continuous contact with staff to provide information, resolve complaints and develop new functionality.

External: Moderate to regular contact with outside vendors to gather information, evaluate and implement new technologies, and resolve complaints.

Students: Minimal contact with students, resolve complaints for student financials module.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervisory responsibility.

Qualifications

Experience: 5 to 8 years of experience required: 3 to 5 years of PeopleSoft experience preferred. Experience in higher education preferred.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Computer Science or related field required. Master's degree preferred.

Required Skills

• PeopleSoft Query, SQL experience demonstrated excellent database theory, design and development practices, including data modeling, data flow and entity relationship analysis. Has a broad understanding of how technology aligns to other business strategies and initiatives.
• Understands and effectively uses established policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of systems analysis, including business processes and methods related regulations, policies, and procedures for student financials.
• Systems design principles, methodologies and tools, including those applicable to web-based environments.
• Principles and practices of sound business communications to establish and maintain effective communication within and across the organization. Communicates clearly and effectively to diverse audiences of technical and non-technical personnel orally and in writing
• Ability to translate business needs, requirements and technology parameters and constraints with information systems professionals.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members, core functional leaders, subject matter experts, a variety of end users, ITS and customer/governance groups to ensure project accountability.
• Creates a sense of belonging and ownership among team members; promotes mutual support and interaction.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. Intense pressure for deadlines and high volume of general activity. The employee performs repetitive motion using a computer mouse and keyboard to type.

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.