Business Analyst Senior- Finance

Overview of Position

The Finance Senior Business Analyst supports the Seattle Public Schools Finance department by ensuring that financial systems, budgeting tools, and related business processes effectively align with district goals, fiscal policies, and regulatory requirements. Working from within the Budget Office, the analyst provides day-to-day functional support to budget staff and others, serving as a bridge between Finance users and the technology team — translating needs into system improvements and helping users get the most out of the tools they rely on, including the district's SAP ERP, budget development platform, and supporting systems and databases.

This role also provides subject matter expertise related to budgeting processes, financial data, and system functionality; supports user testing; and assists with training and documentation. Success in the role draws on a foundation in finance, budgeting or reporting, paired with analytical skills and the ability to work effectively across both functional and technical areas.

• Facilitates identification of as‑is and to‑be business processes, ensuring alignment with District and Department policies and procedures and state/federal laws, regulation and code.
• Provides consultation to business unit management staff to determine solutions to business problems.
• May lead efforts or act as part of a team.

• Facilitates Business Case development/feasibility studies for new initiatives.
• Identifies business benefits desired, options to achieve them and associated costs/risks of each.

• Elicits and documents Requirements in support of new system implementation or system changes/improvements.
• Uses a variety of methods to gather and organize requirements, using judgment to select best methods depending on specific project needs including JAD, use cases, etc.
• Assumes a role as liaison between clients and the District's technical development resources.

• Configures complex business applications to meet requirements.
• Performs analysis to identify options, documents options and related benefits/risks/costs/ trade‑offs to inform business decisions.
• May use standard query tools to perform data analysis.

• Leads or acts as team member in Testing activities, following best practices.
• Depending on role, develops test plan and/or test cases and scenarios/scripts.
• Conducts testing against plan, records/reports results.
• Uses standard query tools to support testing activities.
• Helps inform product readiness decisions and provides data analysis for information or corrections.

• Develops system Documentation including operational/technical and user‑facing documentation, operating procedures, related District policies and procedures and reference materials.

• Develops training plans and training materials to support project or operational work. Delivers training, which may include 1:1 coaching, videos, demonstrations, workshops and instructor‑led classes.

• Performs tier 2‑3 support – includes escalated support and implementation of system releases, employing all of above skills as needed to ensure smooth and continually improving operation for District operation.
• Designs support plans, schedules and training of other support staff.

• Schedules and leads small projects, coordinating technical and business staff.
• Develops and manages to all project documentation including Charter, schedule, risks/issues list, budget, communication plan and other required supporting plans in keeping with organizational standards.

• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of this position.
• Mentors and leads other Business Analysts.
• Continues to upgrade skill set.

Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situation