Business Analyst Lead

Job Overview:

The Business Analyst Lead is responsible for guiding a team of Business Analysts to analyze, design, and support the implementation of business solutions. This role requires a blend of strong analytical skills, effective team leadership, and the ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels. The Business Analyst Lead will ensure alignment between business needs and technology solutions, prioritize initiatives, and drive projects to completion.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead and Mentor:
• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to a team of Business Analysts.
• Establish clear roles and responsibilities within the team and set performance standards.
2. Requirements Gathering and Analysis:
• Facilitate workshops, interviews, and other information-gathering sessions to elicit business requirements.
• Translate business needs into detailed documentation, including business and functional requirements, user stories, process flows, and data models.
3. Project Management Support:
• Collaborate with project managers to ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.
• Define and track key project metrics and assist in project planning, prioritization, and scope management.
4. Stakeholder Engagement:
• Act as the primary point of contact between business stakeholders and IT/development teams.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders to foster trust and understanding of business needs.
5. Process Improvement and Strategy Development:
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and automation to optimize business processes.
• Develop and recommend strategies based on data analysis to drive business growth and operational efficiency.
6. Quality Assurance and Testing Support:
• Review test plans and coordinate with QA teams to ensure solutions meet business requirements.
• Participate in user acceptance testing and provide feedback to development teams for modifications.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
• Develop comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate findings, recommendations, and project status to senior management and stakeholders.
• Ensure the maintenance and storage of accurate documentation for future reference and audit purposes.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, or related field; advanced degree or certifications (CBAP, PMP) preferred.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience as a Business Analyst, with at least 3 years in a lead or managerial role.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities, able to convey complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with project management tools, business analysis tools, and data visualization software (e.g., MS Excel, Power BI, JIRA, Tableau).
• Leadership Abilities: Proven track record of successfully leading a team and managing cross-functional projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Agile and Scrum methodologies.
• Knowledge of specific industry standards (e.g., financial services, healthcare, etc.).
• Background in data analytics or SQL skills to assist in data-driven decision-making.