Business Analyst II

Support business decision making by providing requirement and data analysis that led to recommended solutions for business issues as appropriate. Provide project support from design through implementation and monitoring. Be the liaison between the business, utility functions, and at times external parties to accomplish business objectives. Responsible for performing analysis and reporting, while contributing to recommendations for the business unit.

Makes process improvements and adjustments to existing reporting models. Assists in small to large projects, which may involve developing solution for problems within the business unit. Helps to resolve problems or issues through methods of trouble shooting, as well as separate analysis. Using sound information and theory, provides management with recommended actions to resolve issues or create value for the business.

Key Responsibilities

* Gather, analyze, document and manage business and user requirements (both functional and non-functional) to effectively recommend technology solutions that best address the requirements. Identify potential solutions for the business and provide input to issues or risks (through solid knowledge of the business and user requirements). Identify project interdependencies and communicate requirement/scope issues and participate in driving them to resolution for inclusion in the functional specifications.

* Translate business and user requirements in to detailed system requirements for the IT organization and manage all changes to the source documents. Ensure appropriate bi-directional tracing of project modifications back to business and user requirements. Complete project work objects and deliverables using Ameriprise Quality Measurement Systems (AQMS) standards. Facilitate walk-through of project deliverables. Assist with the development of the testing strategy - plan thorough requirements testing.

* Demonstrate expert level knowledge in all systems, processes and data relating to the assigned business or project. Leverage domain expertise and analyst practice expertise to provide the most effective solutions to the business partners in the most efficient means possible. Select appropriate analysis techniques and tools (process modeling, use cases, etc.) for each project. Educate business partners on systems capabilities and the feasibility of developing specific solutions.

* Leverage technical knowledge and business acumen to manage effective working relationships with technology teams and business partners at management and end user levels. Work effectively in a team environment to ensure that solution delivery is on time, within cost estimates and meets business needs. Negotiate technical and non-technical solutions that both satisfy the business users and conform to the technical architecture.

Prepare estimates of Business Analyst work efforts for assigned projects.

* Complete all support documentation on assigned projects, including creating and updating all user and technical procedures/manuals, operational support documentation and archival of all related project documentation. Define and monitor all implementation tasks such as the production check-out process, including review of reports, and data files to ensure technical solutions perform according to the specifications and meet defined business requirements.

* Actively champion and contribute to the continuous improvement of business systems analysis best practices, using innovative ideas to increase effectiveness of the overall analyst organization. Provide subject matter expertise in areas including strategy/approach, requirements gathering, process modeling, use cases and other areas of expertise based on established business analysis tools and techniques. Proactively mentor others in the business analyst practitioner community.

Required Qualifications

* Associates degree or equivalent with minimum 7+ years of work experience;
Bachelor's degree or equivalent with minimum 5+ years of work experience in the financial services industry.

* Experience in the Asset Management domain.

* Demonstrated organizational skills and expertise with intermediate-advance features in Microsoft Office Suite of applications

* Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret data, reach conclusions, and take action

* Experience in communicating technology related information clearly to different audiences

* Strong leadership competencies and execution skills by way of cross-collaboration and workflow facilitation with multiple internal business partners.

* Must be highly responsive and proactive in a fast-paced changing environment.

* Quick and independent learner to adapt to new business, technology and processes

* Expert level analysis skills including ability to identify patterns, potential issues and then translate those into functional and test requirements.

* Expert level understanding of business functional areas and management issues as well as the IT organizations…