Department: IT AS Ent Sys Alum & Fin
Salary/Grade: ITS/81
Job Summary:
Performs tasks related to the design, implementation, support/maintenance and enhancement of NU’s enterprise vendor and in-house developed applications for research. Consults with users to define detailed requirements, analyze business needs, consider current and future business implications, translate functional into technical requirements, validate solutions, and drive business process improvement efforts. Serves as subject matter expert in regard to content, processes, and procedures associated with complex technical and functional systems. Monitors and mentors other systems analyst in software development methods and processes and implementation of those methods. Manages complex projects independently.
• Under the direction of the Systems Analyst Lead, performs tasks related to the design, implementation, support/maintenance and enhancement of NU’s enterprise vendor and in-house developed applications.
• Competent to work at the highest technical level of most phases of analysis.
Specific Responsibilities :
Strategic Planning
• Consults with junior analysts, end users and peers to document and analyze functional requirements, identify gaps and alternative approaches to meet requirements, and ensure all deliverables completed (adhering to approved methodology and documentation standards). Often convenes and facilitates working groups in this capacity.
• Consults with functional users and technical and reporting staff to determine best approaches, ensuring that approved solutions are implemented in a timely and correct fashion.
• Contributes to defining methodology and documentation standards, and periodically reviewing them to integrate appropriate industry practices.
• May represent organizational area in regard to advisory groups, planning committees, and similar standing work groups whose purpose is to develop requirements related to the implementation of enterprise business systems.
Administration
• Acts as a subject matter expert, reviewing and verifying that documentation of training materials, process, procedures and system/application configuration is accurate.
• Documents implementation scope and complex use cases.
• Coordinates project resources to ensure that tasks are completed on schedule and that issues, risks and variances are identified and escalated in a timely manner.
Development
• Writes test scripts and performs detailed testing for complex use cases to ensure that the implemented software functions correctly.
• Facilitates iterative feedback processes among users, developers, and analysts to ensure software functionality aligns with requirements. Influences decision making based on prior implementation experience.
Performance
• Evaluates software and enters complex configurations to meet user needs.
• Collects feedback from users on application performance and escalates complex critical performance issues with technical resources and management.
• Facilitates troubleshooting with technical, reporting and application resources to analyze and resolve production issues in a timely manner. Able to identify root causes based on prior system knowledge and advanced analytical skills.
Supervises
• Provides work direction and/or supervises staff such as subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
• Recommends staff hires/terminations. May provide input into position descriptions; participates in recruiting process.
• Coaches and mentors junior staff.
• Manages moderate to complex projects ensuring timelines, deliverables and expectations are met.
• Acts as subject matter expert, transferring knowledge to users, other functional team members and training documentation specialists.
• Coordinate project resources to ensure the tasks are completed on schedule.
Miscellaneous
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related; or appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years functional/business/system analysis or equivalent experience required.
o Enterprise Applications
• Huron/Click (Grants Administration)
• PeopleSoft Financials/SCM (NU Financials)
o Infrastructure
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook)
• SQL/MySQL/Postgres
o Analytical
• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Judgment
• Problem solving
• Troubleshooting
• Use-case analysis
o Project
• collaboration and teamwork
• cost/benefit analysis
• evaluate resources
• facilitate collaboration
• functional documentation
• organizational skills
• planning
• workflow development & documentation
• write proposals and project charters
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
• Very strong analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to take direction well and to work well as a member of a team.
• Ability to effectively present ideas, oral and written, to technical staff and customers.
• Strong customer service and Organizational skills
• Deep functional expertise with Microsoft Office product suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)
• Ability to use SQL, PL/SQL, or other query tools to perform analysis
• Ability to acquire technical and functional proficiency with new software applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of and experience with grant submission and tracking in the Huron Research Suite and related software applications in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of higher education or public sector PeopleSoft accounting business processes including billing and accounts receivable modules.
• Knowledge of current industry best practices in software design and software development implementation, methodology, including structured testing(Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall)
• Experience in higher education institution
• Experience as a professional service consultant
• Experience as a project or module lead (PMP, Agile/Scrum certification preferred).
• Experience designing data conversion, interface, and security features.
• Experience with design and delivery of reporting capabilities to end users is highly desired.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
• Proficiency with Cognos (Report Studio, Analysis Studio, Query Studio desired
• Proficiency with Project Management Software (JIRA, MS Project Management Software, Change Point PPM.
Target hiring range for this position will be between $97,000-$115,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.
Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.