Business Analyst

JOB ROLE SUMMARY Interfaces with client and internal business teams regarding business problems, issues and opportunities in the context of business requirements throughout the delivery lifecycle. Analyzes business information, translates requirements into functional specifications and champions client and/or internal business needs while balancing climate, priorities, capabilities and constraints of client and Acxiom environments. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Utilizes expertise to lead project teams to select the approach that best fits requirement initiative needs, and obtains stakeholder and project team buy‑in to the approach selected. Determines how and when to modify a selected approach as necessary to apply an appropriate level of rigor. Effectively manages internal and external stakeholder relationships and expectations, keeping them engaged, responsive, and proactive in working toward project goals and objectives. Recognizes opportunities beyond the underlying business needs and issues, consulting stakeholders in exploring these areas of opportunity. Establishes metrics and measurements to track, assess, and report on the quality of business analysis work, identifying opportunities for improvement within Requirements Management practices and processes. Conceptualizes a recommended solution, enabling stakeholders to understand new capabilities, boundaries, dependencies, constraints, and assumptions from a business perspective. Collaborates with the Solution Architect to validate that the solution also meets the client’s technical needs. Understands the business architecture (structure, people, processes, technology) that supports an organization’s strategy and can assess enterprise business capabilities and gaps. Mentors associates on all autonomous, stakeholder, and project management responsibilities (high, moderate, and low complexity assignments). Acts as a subject‑matter expert (SME) and specialist in business analysis techniques and practices. PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Develops, maintains and demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of clients’ and Acxiom’s technical and business environments. Is considered extremely knowledgeable in Acxiom Delivery Methodology, Requirements Engineering, Change Management procedures, organization structure, culture, and typical Delivery Tools. Demonstrates knowledge of Acxiom products, services, and solutions. Maintains ongoing Certified Business Analysis Professional Certification and any related industry process certifications (ISO, CMMI, LEAN, etc.). REQUIREMENTS PLANNING AND ELICITATION Identifies requirements scope and deliverables and plans for requirements gathering accordingly. Determines and utilizes appropriate requirements elicitation and management techniques based on scope and project nature. Forms and presents probing questions to elicit necessary information to define requirements. Identifies and accurately captures information pertinent to solution requirements. Describes the importance and value of requirements elicitation processes such as JAD sessions, use cases, storyboards, and prototyping. Leads internal knowledge‑sharing discussions related to requirements planning and elicitation. Develops and assists in implementing process improvements related to requirements planning and elicitation techniques. Provides mentorship to Business Analysts (BAs) and Junior BAs on elicitation practices. REQUIREMENTS WRITING AND MANAGEMENT Self‑directed during requirements management and documentation. Organizes and synthesizes complex information to formulate business, functional, and non‑functional requirements. Documents requirements into an accurate, clear, concise, comprehensive, and cohesive work package. Ensures functional requirements address the business needs and prioritizes them based on business value, cost, and time constraints. Presents requirements in an understandable format to validate with stakeholders. Reviews Requirements Documents written by peers, BAs, and Junior BAs. Coordinates contributions to ongoing improvement of requirements standards, reusable requirements, and techniques. MEETING MANAGEMENT Prepares agenda and materials to ensure meetings are effective. Facilitates meetings and communicates effectively. Uses proficient meeting management skills to keep discussions focused and organized. Identifies areas of common agreement and uses negotiation skills to reach agreement in areas of conflict. Recognizes subjects with political implications and uses a politically sensitive approach to discuss them. Mentors BAs and Junior BAs on meeting management. BUSINESS AND SOLUTION CONSULTING Understands client’s business issues and goals related to marketing databases/solutions and makes recommendations related to new or enhanced solutions. Frequently recognizes opportunities beyond underlying business needs and consults stakeholders in exploring these opportunities. Contributes to the creation of tools and templates to support BAs in being more consultative. Mentors BAs and Junior BAs on business and solution consulting. BUSINESS ANALYSIS Utilizes appropriate business analysis techniques to organize and synthesize large amounts of information into a simplified view. Captures and illustrates stakeholder desires and/or current state using textual formats, models, diagrams, and matrices. Ensures business goals are aligned to underlying business needs and identifies gaps that may prevent achievement of those goals. Evaluates business processes from a big‑picture view while also understanding detailed process steps. Identifies and defines key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure business operations. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position does not have direct reports but may mentor less experienced associates in the role. QUALIFICATIONS Required: None (minimum of 2 years related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or a Master’s degree; or equivalent work experience). Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree; Certified Business Analysis Professional Certification and ongoing requirement to maintain certification. Any reference to years of experience should be disregarded in the UK. #J-18808-Ljbffr