Business Systems Analyst

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID:

Time Type:

Employee Group:

Job Category:

Employment Type:

Department:

Hiring Range:

Posting Information:

Term: 2 years
The position is being offered as a Secondment or a Contract.
Internal deadline to apply is August 21, 2025.
This position is contingent on funding.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Business Systems Analyst supports the successful implementation and continuous improvement of a new Faculty Lifecycle Information System. This role is essential for ensuring that core faculty-related processes are streamlined, standardized, and effectively supported by technology. By translating business needs into system requirements and facilitating system adoption, the position helps improve administrative efficiency and data consistency across the University, enabling better decision-making and supporting institutional priorities.

Key Accountabilities

Systems Analysis & Implementation

• Collaborates with stakeholders to gather, document, and analyze business requirements related to faculty lifecycle processes.
• Translates business needs into technical specifications and functional system configurations.
• Participates in system selection and evaluation processes, including vendor assessments and product demonstrations.
• Supports the planning and execution of system implementation phases, including configuration, data migration, testing, and rollout.
• Works closely with IST teams and vendors to ensure the system aligns with institutional goals and complies with data and security standards.

Process Improvement

• Leads or facilitates workshops and interviews to analyze existing processes and identify opportunities for standardization, efficiency, and automation.
• Maps current and future state processes and conducts fit-gap analyses between business needs and system capabilities.
• Develops process documentation, decision trees, and system workflow diagrams to support change initiatives.
• Recommends improvements to enhance user experience and administrative effectiveness.
• Ensures alignment of redesigned processes with institutional policies and best practices..

System Support & Maintenance

• Provides Tier 2 support for system users, including issue investigation, resolution, and root cause analysis.
• Monitors system performance and works with vendors or IST to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
• Manages configuration changes and enhancements in collaboration with stakeholders and governance committees.
• Maintains accurate documentation of system configuration, known issues, and resolution protocols.
• Supports release management activities and coordinates testing and communication of updates.

User Support

• Develops and delivers end-user training materials, job aids, and workshops for system users, including faculty, administrators, and support staff.
• Identifies test scenarios, develops test scripts, and executes testing in support of system and user acceptance testing.
• Promotes user adoption through effective communication and change management practices.
• Collects and responds to feedback from users to continuously improve training and support materials.
• Acts as a subject matter expert in change impacts related to information systems.

Project Leadership & Management

• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, including faculty offices, HR, IST, and planning teams.
• Participates in or leads project planning meetings and status updates to track deliverables and timelines.
• Coordinates with vendors to communicate technical requirements, manage service tickets, and support contract obligations.
• Uses institutional governance structures to support issue resolution, change approval, and project alignment.
• Supports risk identification and mitigation strategies related to system and project success.

Required Qualifications

Education

• University degree in business administration, information systems, computer science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Accreditation as a Business Analyst at Level 3 CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) or higher is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressive business analysis experience is required; experience working in an academic setting is an asset.
• Several years of progressive experience in business analysis, systems implementation, or enterprise systems support, preferably in a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting fit/gap analyses, supporting cloud-based systems, and working with cross-functional stakeholder groups.
• Experience managing or contributing to projects involving the selection, configuration, or rollout of information systems.
• Experience supporting system users through training, documentation, and change management initiatives.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Specific experience analyzing legacy information systems and independently completing advanced fit/gap analysis to match future state business processes to information systems workflows and functionality.
• Proven track record of taking initiative and delivering consistent, outstanding results on projects and other work assignments.
• Moderate level technical proficiency working with complex cloud-based software platforms.
• Specific experience using governance structures to manage issues, gain acceptance for changes, and guide information systems projects of various sizes to successful implementation.
• Proven ability to leverage strong leadership competencies in support of providing excellent customer service and strategic systems advice to non-technical leaders.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and clients is key.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills that rely on a structured approach with the ability to learn new concepts/processes.
• Superb time management skills to manage multiple, competing priorities and meet established deadlines.
• Advanced understanding of change management as it relates to information systems technology and processes.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, customer service, communication, organizational, research and analytical skills with proven ability to interact with co-workers, clients, and third party vendors with tact and diplomacy.
• Must work as part of a team within a busy and dynamic environment, with experience managing multiple tasks at once.
• Occasional work outside regular business hours.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.