Business Systems Analyst

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to understanding our users and devoted to making it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn, and work through the effective use of information technology. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines - and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment we are looking for you!


More About HUIT:

Our Mission: huit.harvard.edu/about


We empower the Harvard community with essential and transformative technologies to advance education, knowledge, and discovery.


HUIT's core values are:

• Human-centered
• University-focused
• Innovation-driven
• Team-oriented

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):

HUIT's IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here:


Job Description

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

The Business Systems Analyst will be responsible for configuration, set-up, testing, and documentation of various modules of PeopleSoft Campus Solutions according to Harvard's needs. This position will be responsible for translating business requirements into functional solution designs, engaging with stakeholders, and leading independent deliverables and projects. The ideal candidate must demonstrate keen problem-solving ability along with proven leadership and facilitation skills. We are seeking a technically minded analyst who can leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to solve business problems and automate solutions for our customers.

Typical Core Duties:

• Collaborate with the product managers on various activities, including requirements gathering, application configuration, development of presentation materials, story development, customer outreach, issue management, research, peer outreach, user provisioning, testing and end user training.
• Interview key stakeholders and end users to analyze business processes and system's needs; translate business requirements into user stories with supporting test scripts.
• Meet with schools to field direct requests, discuss requirements and collaborate on solution design including business process and policy related matters where applicable.
• Take a lead role in understanding the operating requirements for delivered products and work with the team to analyze and clarify internal and school operational requirements.
• Work with the technical team to review stories and assure that acceptance criteria are well understood as part of the Agile development process.
• Share expertise in multiple modules of PeopleSoft Campus Solutions.
• Build expertise in Oracle Business Intelligence for operational, analytic, and ad hoc reporting.
• Develop test scripts and execute testing to ensure new products, enhancements, bug fixes, upgrades and patches function as expected and without introducing regression issues.
• Provide functional support during project/release go-lives, which may include occasional evening or weekend work.
• Assist with general administration, special projects, and perform other related job duties as needed.
• Coordinate with Business Analysts to build robust and comprehensive knowledge database in Confluence application.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI tools and emerging technologies to solve business problems and automate manual processes and solutions for our customers.
• Develop and refine prompts, workflows, and integrations using AI tools to improve analysis, documentation, testing, and reporting efficiency.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

• Minimum of two years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• 2+ years' experience working with administrative systems, preferably in business analyst capacity and experience working with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions or other student administration applications.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills and technical writing ability.
• Fluency with Microsoft Office.
• Proven experience with relational databases and SQL.
• Technically minded with hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g., generative AI assistants, automation platforms) to solve business problems, automate workflows, and deliver solutions for customers.
• Demonstrated curiosity about emerging technologies and a track record of applying new tools to improve how work gets done.
• Direct experience with business analysis tools and techniques strongly desired.
• Solid understanding and demonstrated use of iterative development (preferably Agile).
• Demonstrated organizational skills, especially with the ability to manage and track many details and facts, understand how each detail fits into the "big picture", and to learn quickly.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment; willingness to do what it takes to meet critical deadlines; Able to adapt to changing and competing priorities.
• Adept at evaluating problems accurately and displaying sound judgment, including measuring risks and timely escalation.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred.

Additional Information

• Working Conditions: Onsite work is performed in an office setting.
• Standard Hours/Schedule : 35 hours per week
• This position is hybrid and travel to the campus is typically twice per month and additional days on site may be required for important project events with advance notice.
• Visa Sponsorship Information : Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening : Identity
• Other Information:
  Please provide a cover letter with your application.
  This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.


Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.


EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.