This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.
Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.
The Senior Business Analyst leads complex analysis initiatives, business process re-engineering, and continual service improvement efforts across the University. The role supports the development and consistent application of best practices, methodologies, and standards to strengthen the University's business analysis practice.
The Senior Business Analyst plays a key role in a variety of projects, including organizational assessments and larger University-wide information technology initiatives. Projects may have a business and/or technical focus and span enterprise applications, technical infrastructure, cybersecurity, research computing, endpoint services, and teaching and learning technologies.
The Senior Business Analyst provides leadership in stakeholder engagement, requirements elicitation and management, solution assessment, and process improvement. The role mentors Business Analysts, fosters a strong community of practice, and promotes consistent, high-quality analysis and advisory services across projects and initiatives.
Information Services & Technology (IST) is the central support group for the university's technological landscape. IST plays a pivotal role in ensuring the evolution and smooth operation of technology for teaching, learning, research and working at the University of Alberta. Beyond having expansive technical expertise, IST fosters a supportive environment where our staff values include compassion, connection, collaboration, creativity and courage. If you are passionate about leveraging technology to empower education, research and to drive institutional excellence, join us and be part of shaping the future of the University of Alberta through innovative IT solutions.
Business Analysis
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Works with project managers and business managers to ensure the benefits defined in the business case, or assessment document, and subsequent benefit delivery plans are realized, using baseline models and performance statistics.
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Leads cross-functional business process engineering teams and continuous improvement efforts; identifies opportunities for process improvement and makes recommendations to service owners.
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Analyzes processes to recommend fundamental process improvements to management that leverage technology, eliminate redundant tasks, and/or minimize duplication of effort.
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Documents enhancements and business process improvements to ensure adherence to established standards and overall quality.
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Manages continuous process improvement initiatives.
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Responsible for the creation of an accurate business requirements document and obtaining stakeholder and senior management's approval.
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Performs analysis and facilitates stakeholder consensus to create documented, agreed upon functional and non-functional business requirements and specifications.
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Participates in operational readiness activities:
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Create test plans.
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Ensure tests conducted and results documented.
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Cross-reference tests against requirements to ensure all requirements are met.
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Create training material and ensure teams are trained.
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Create operational documentation that moves a project into operations.
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Identifies change risks regarding people and technology, conducts various change activities, and creates communication drafts. Change risks include:
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Impact on University staff and students.
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Impact on the University’s reputation.
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Identify change saturation levels of impacted participants.
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Identify the extent of process changes and changes to staff activities.
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Identify and address operational, financial and technological risks.
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Identify extent of operational disruptions.
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Takes full responsibility for business analysis activity within a significant segment of an organization or project where advice given and decisions made will have a measurable impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.
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Provides strategic business analysis services to business partners by working closely with business units to gain in-depth understanding of their business strategy, processes, services, roadmaps, and the context in which the business operates.
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Manages customer relationships and expectations by developing a communication process to keep others up-to-date on project/initiative results.
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Supports and aligns efforts to meet University and business needs.
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Multi-tasks and maintains proficiency in time management skills.
Consulting
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Engages stakeholders to understand business challenges and opportunities; understands their business strategy and can identify opportunities (business process improvement and/or technology) that either align with or help to enable that strategy.
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Supports the sponsoring business unit in the preparation and presentation of the business case or assessment document to the project selection/governance committee.
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Advises business areas on the implications of changes to business processes and practices.
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Liaises with other relevant parties to research, confirm and clarify information relevant to requirements, analysis and integration.
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Demonstrates experience in communicating at all levels of the organization.
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Analyzes current processes and document recommendations.
Solution Assessments/Projects
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Leads and/or conducts market and jurisdictional scans to understand potential solutions, best-practices, benefits, and cost-drivers related to the opportunity.
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Conducts financial analysis including the collection of relevant information and calculation of measurements such as return on investment (ROI), payback period, total cost of ownership (TCO), and internal rate of return (IRR); performs a sensitivity analysis to investigate best and worst cases.
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Identifies and recommends possible efficiency gains to business unit management, including those resulting from FTE reduction/repurposing and monitors the organization’s progress on achieving the intended benefits.
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Projects’ costs range from $30,000 - $1,000,000+ and many of which are multi-year University-wide projects (e.g., Graduate Studies Management System, Undergraduate Admissions, Core Administration, Service Management).
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Conducts solutions assessments that may involve one faculty/department/unit, or may involve the University as a whole (e.g. President’s Briefing Notes solution recommendation vs. Common Classroom Scheduling or T&L Wireless Upgrade Proposal).
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Solutions assessments and projects often require cross-team or cross-university involvement.
Practice Development
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Collaborates with other Business Analysts and team members in the Business Analysis discipline.
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Leads the development, ongoing improvement, education, and promotion of the tools and methods used in the Business Analysis discipline.
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Participates and makes recommendations on the recruitment of short and long term project resources.
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Participates in the evaluation process for the procurement of contract and consulting services in support of project planning and/or project delivery.
Coordination
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Attends and participates in meetings and document findings.
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Schedules meetings.
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Organizes client work to ensure action items from meetings completed.
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Acts as coordinator or project manager on initiatives that do not require formal project
management.
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Post-secondary Degree in Computing Science, Business Administration, or other related field. An
acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. -
Professional qualifications in business analysis is preferred.
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Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) from the International Institute of Business Analysis is considered an asset.
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Professional qualifications in project management is considered an asset.
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Minimum 5 years experience as a Business Analyst required, 8+ years is preferred.
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Working knowledge of applications that include:
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Google Workspace / Applications
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MS Visio or similar process mapping tools
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MS Office
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Other productivity software
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Experience with process mapping IT services, IT infrastructure projects, business process redesign, and enterprise analysis/business architecture is considered an asset.
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Demonstrated systematic, disciplined and analytical approach to problem solving.
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High level of communication skills with all levels of the organization.
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Familiarity with the software development life cycle for development and the concepts and practices required to implement effective information systems.
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Familiarity with project delivery methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, Hybrid).
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Effective negotiation skills to negotiate contracts and to maintain positive and ongoing vendor relationships.
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Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to engage, motivate, coach and mentor team and project members to enable them to meet demanding deadlines.
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Ability to work in a changing environment to lead and manage a project team through change.
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Document and Records Management Experience is considered an asset.
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Experience facilitating workshops with varied stakeholder groups to gather and analyze information retrieved through a variety of means.
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Possess an understanding of potential organizational exposures in terms of security, privacy and legal compliance.
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Strong awareness of appropriate usage for technology to achieve business and organizational objectives.
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Possess an extensive knowledge of business and understands the interdependencies of business processes and information systems.
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Proficiency in productivity software is considered an asset.
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Experience in process mapping IT services, IT infrastructure projects, business process redesign, and enterprise analysis/business architecture is considered an asset.
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Organizational change management experience.
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Willingness to accept responsibility and take on new challenges.
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Demonstrable initiative and resourcefulness.
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Demonstrated leadership ability.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.
This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
