Analyst, Business

Analyst, Business

Description

The Business Analyst is responsible for serving as a business account manager and a point-of-contact for IT-related opportunities and issues for the supported areas. The business analyst performs strategic technology planning and coordination for business processes by providing evaluation and oversight for technology initiatives meeting business goals and objectives. The business analyst also serves as liaison between the business and other IT areas to ensure timely delivery. The analyst will also be asked to lead and coordinate IT business initiatives when needed.

For the EDGE the business analyst has responsibility for the following areas:

• EDGE requirements gathering
• Document EDGE business cases
• EDGE Governance templates capture
• EDGE laision to other GAS business areas
• Transtate requirements to technology team members
• Conduct business requirement gathering session
• Document business processes

Additionally, the position has responsibility for coordinating with other business analysts at the operating company locations on Corporate Services related activities and initiatives.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Builds and maintains a collaborative partnership with the EDGE Team members supporting the business unit, and keeps the Portfolio Managers/Field Operations Managers (and staffs) apprised of business unit initiatives.
• Serves as the liaison between the business units and the rest of IT through involvement with Technology Leadership Teams and committee involvements.
• Facilitates the development of strategic technology plans for the business unit, ensuring compatibility with the IT strategic plans and initiatives and compliance with the corporate IT policies (hardware/software risk assessment, security policies, etc.), while looking for opportunities to marry business processes with technology.
• Leads and develops business cases which are focused on clear articulation of business requirements, determining the value of IT, and the appropriate use of technology, including funding information and financial analysis.
• Provides high level estimates for projects and initiatives through estimate coordination from the portfolio, communication, compiling the various components of the estimate, delivery to the business, and negotiation of the commitment date.
• Takes ownership of assisting the business in defining the high level requirements and scope definition on projects.
• Drives and challenges business units on their assumptions of how they will successfully execute their plans.
• Facilitates resource requests from other functional groups.
• Through their knowledge of the business and technology, facilitates identification of business process definitions and improvements needed.
• In partnership with the EDGE Managers, is responsible for vendor management, including coordination of the Statement of Work, quotes, Supply Chain engagement, and the Requests for Proposals; arrangement of vendor demonstrations of new technology; and assisting management with vendor contracts, ensuring expected results and release budget planning.
• Understands and articulates the missions, goals, tactical and strategic initiatives for the business units supported by EDGE
• Provides high-level education on capabilities of current technology, and consults on IT products and services.
• Participates in the planning and scheduling of initiative rollouts for the business, provides guidance on technology acquisitions and project approaches, and interprets and translates IT initiatives to enable their partners to understand what it means to them, providing feedback to IT initiative project teams on business impacts.
• Develops the Client Services labor budget for their partners, with the assistance of Field Operations.
• Assists partners and management by conducting budget investigations; providing forward-looking project and release budget planning; achieving budget targets for cost center (overhead), applications work orders (billing), and functional budgets.
• Keeps the business informed of major IT initiatives, such as Windows7, Converge, Employee Wireless, and the Mobile Strategy, including development and delivery of presentations on the IT initiatives to the business.
• Communicates business unit technology needs to IT to ensure that technology priorities are driven by business needs and to maximize the value of technology initiatives to the business.
• Benchmarks best practices
• Business Analyst also plans, organizes and facilitates team education sessions
• Mentor other BAs
• Seek information and stay informed of analyst trends in the industry

Reporting Relationship:

• This position reports to the EDGE Governance Manager

Education/Skills/Experience

• B.S. degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field preferred. Advanced degree is a plus.
• Experience in successfully handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Cross-functional experience in the business or IT.
• Demonstrated talent in the area of proactive communications and making good business recommendations and decisions.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to oversee major projects.
• Has developed effective working relationships with employees, peers and management.
• Proven ability to build, maintain and influence relationships at all levels and within all organizations.
• Demonstrated understanding of technology and financial issues, with the ability to make sound business recommendations based on the data.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Southern Style and Target Zero.
• General knowledge of business functions and of the Southern Company core business.
• Working knowledge of existing and emerging information technologies.
• Strong account management and budgeting skills, including managing multiple tasks/priorities, communication, teamwork, consulting, and financial analysis.
• Proven analytical abilities, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Experience in business requirements analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to make presentations to all levels (employees, management and executives).
• Demonstrated leadership skills with major projects and/or initiatives within Southern Company.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, exhibit breadth in vision, and creative thinking.
• Strong business process re-engineering skills.

Disclaimer : This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.

Southern Company Gas provides for the energy needs of millions of U.S. households and businesses. As the largest natural gas-only distribution company in the United States, with more than 150 years of history behind us, we're working to ensure that Americans have access to an abundant, safely delivered supply of natural gas for decades to come. We offer our customers a wide range of energy services under one umbrella: seven regulated utilities as well as non-regulated businesses that offer retail, wholesale and storage services.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries as of Jan. 1, 2019. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services . Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Forbes and the Women's Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Field: Information Technology

Job Type: Standard

Primary Location: Georgia-Metro Atlanta-Atlanta

Operating Company: Southern Company Gas

Other Locations: Illinois-Metro Chicago-Naperville

Job Type: Standard

Travel (Up to): Yes, 25 % of the Time

Work Location(s):

AGLR Corporate Office - 10 Peachtree Place NE (10AtlantaCODE)

10 Peachtree Place NE

Atlanta, 30309

G O Naperville - 1844 W Ferry Rd. (1844NapervilleCODE)

1844 W Ferry Rd.

Naperville, 60536

Req ID: 1202000000