Business Analyst

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

Grade: Professional 308

Pay Range: $73,000.00 - $109,400.00

Job Description

The Business Analyst is responsible for planning, organizing, and monitoring process improvement, as well as building and supporting technology to aid in process improvement. This individual ensures projects meet or exceed key performance indicators and stakeholder requirements, policies, and deadlines. The business analyst leads teams assigned to their projects, and ensures stakeholders are well informed of area activities and barriers to success.

The Business Analyst will extract, compile, and analyze data to support research and data needs. They will respond to and prioritize multiple data requests, interpret complex data sets, and provide data-driven recommendations that inform strategic planning and execution. The Business Analyst will be actively involved in developing, refining, and supporting goals and initiatives.

 

Primary Responsibilities

• Uses strong analytical and product management skills to gain a thorough understanding of departmental needs and translates those needs into specific initiatives and short- and long-range plans.
• Gathers and critically evaluates information from multiple sources, reconciles conflicts, decomposes high-level information into details, summarizes low-level information into a general understanding, and distinguishes user requests from the underlying true needs.
• Proactively communicates and collaborates with key stakeholders to analyze needs for process improvements.
• Manages multiple projects at a time and sequences project work for the assigned tasks, modifying plans and schedules, as necessary.
• Maintains accurate and complete records during a project’s development process, ensuring communications regarding project requirements, changes, problems, solutions, etc. are securely maintained and readily available for review.
• Drives and challenges business units on their assumptions of how they will successfully execute their plans.
• Develops business case studies that identify alternatives, costs, and project plans.
• Makes presentations, submits requests, and gains necessary approvals for projects involved in departmental efforts for process improvement.
• Ensures process improvements are fully functional and meet established project requirements, deadlines, and outcomes, and obtains necessary final approvals and signatures according to established procedures.
• Critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details, abstract up from low-level information to a general understanding, and distinguish user requests from the underlying true needs.
• Collaborate with developers and subject matter experts to establish the technical vision and analyze trade-offs between usability and performance needs.
• Identify and assess both commercially available and custom-developed solutions that meet university needs.
• Proactively communicate and collaborate with external and internal customers to analyze information needs and functional requirements and deliver the following artifacts as needed: Functional requirements (business Requirements Document), Use Cases, User Stories, GUI, Screen and Interface designs.
• For large projects, identifies scope of project and develops documents outlining key project objectives, goals, plans, requirements, proposals, estimates, schedules, and budgets. Makes presentations, submits requests, and gains necessary approvals. Ensures estimates of time, cost, performance level, and materials are accurate and meet project requirements. Makes modifications to plans and schedules as necessary.
• Maintains accurate and complete records during the development process. Ensures related oral and electronic communications regarding project requirements, design changes, problems, solutions, etc. are securely maintained and readily available for review.
• Sets up and coordinates effective testing to evaluate system performance, fulfilment of project requirements, and elimination of bugs. Ensures test plans are well-documented, relevant to application, and in compliance with policies and procedures. Analyses test results, identifies problems, and conflicts, and provides solutions. Ensures problems are resolved quickly and effectively. Repeats testing as needed.
• Coordinates and manages creation of related documentation. Ensures accurate technical information is gathered and disseminated to technical writers. Ensures final documents are thoroughly reviewed, accurate, complete, and user friendly.
• Works to achieve established goals and objectives.
• Design, conduct, and report results of ad hoc research and analytical studies supporting initiatives and projects.
• Assist with establishing the measuring and tracking process for initiatives and projects providing timely updates to stakeholders.
• Build and run reports to analyze data and determine the best course of action to improve program outcomes.
• Participates in and contributes to regular staff and department meetings.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Advanced critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis skills.
Advanced skills in planning, organizing, and self-management.
Solid technical and problem-solving skills.
Exhibits excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to accurately gather, analyze and interpret data, identify and define problems, and make recommendations for resolution.
Excellent leadership and project management skills.
Works well in a team environment.
Strong oral and written communications abilities to present findings and translate and communicate complex ideas.
Solid technical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to plan and meet schedules.
Ability to build consensus and motivate others.
Able to use all related computer equipment and applications.


Education
Bachelor’s degree in management information systems, computer science, or a related field

Experience
Three (3) years of experience analyzing, implementing, or supporting systems and prior project management experience

Financial Aid:
3+ years’ experience with Title IV aid programs
3+ years’ experience with databases, statistical software, or other high-level computer skills
Be in good standing with the US Department of Education; No loans in default
Experience in lieu of education
Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Experience with Anthology Student systems

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.