Research Services Business Analyst

Job Description:

About Brown

Brown University is a leading research university distinct for its student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose. Our students, faculty and staff are driven by the idea that their work will have an impact in the world. Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance; summer hours, winter break and a comprehensive Benefits package including time off, annual paid holidays; benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts and more.  To learn about Brown University’s benefits, visit the University Human Resources web page here for further information.

About the Position

The Research Services Business Analyst, under the direction of the Director or Associate Director, supports the successful oversight, maintenance, troubleshooting and knowledge of the University’s Research Administration Information Systems. This position will be interacting with the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) and Sponsored Research Reporting.  This position is responsible to plan, coordinate, and monitor Research Administration business processes and related systems to ensure operational, procedural and regulatory requirements are met.  Perform project management activities which include planning, designing, implementing and maintaining business applications and computer systems.  Research and analyze strategic system choices (within the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and makes recommendations to achieve the goals and objectives of the University’s business needs.  Provide leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of Reporting to meet the University’s business needs and facilitate mechanisms for effective and efficient training and outreach between OSP and the University.  Serve as an active liaison between WD Operations, OIT, ORI, and OSP staff, and be a key member of the Research Services team.

System Maintenance and Testing   

• Collaborate with RAIS, OVPR, OIT and Departments to support various eRA system needs.
• Lead analysis of the eRA system, future enhancements and documentation of business processes
• Cross train staff members on eRA system and prioritize tasks as needed
• Lead eRA system updates and other related systems initiatives
• Lead effort to determine effectiveness of functionality delivered to end users and how to disseminate data to the community.
• Maintains, updates, tests and troubleshoots systems and business processes in a manner that minimizes downtime and encourages feedback from end users.
• Works with OIT and other campus units and/or vendors to ensure that systems issues are reported and resolved quickly and correctly.
• Creates and maintains functional documentation on systems (including systems architecture), business processes and integration points.
• Serves as a point-of-contact for questions regarding use of research administration information systems and for departments on campus regarding process and policy changes related to use of research administration systems.
• Monitor daily integration and data validation reports, including data updates, data fixes, code table configurations, validations, and business rules. 
• Coordinate & Review data validation reports and troubleshoot issues and data inconsistencies with RAIS, OIT, and OVPR. 
• Serve as a liaison between the RAIS, OVPR, and end users to gather business requirements and processes, perform gap analysis for upgrades and conversions, and document current and future processes and practices related to systems.
• Assist with development of quality assurance measures for eRA  project systems & data.  

System Support and Training 

• Coordinate & provide support to end users to promote the effective use of the system and reports, share best practices, and instruct on business processes.
• Assist with the preparation of online training screeners, documentation, and coordination of training schedules for the various applications.
• Conduct in-person trainings on applications to user community.
• Supports RAIS and OVPR leadership in determining, developing, and/or delivering systems training for OVPR and other departments at the University.

Project Management      

• Participates as key member on information technology project teams.
• Leads new project scoping/estimating and other pre-project activities.
• Plans, coordinates and assists with integration, regression, and user acceptance testing.
• Uses systems and business process knowledge to understand and gather customer requirements as inputs to effective systems design and enhancements.  This includes the identification of information technology tasks and estimates and timely supports those tasks to completion.
• Actively facilitates integration of OVPR and departmental needs and processes into new and existing systems.
• Leads in the planning and implementation of upgrades to software; including the researching, testing (moderate to difficult), and evaluating of potential impacts to upgrades and changes to workflow

Collaboration and Business Process Improvements  

• Collaborates with ERP system vendors; e.g. InfoEd, Workday, Huron, etc..
• Serve as an active member on application Subcommittees with Vendor and External Customers.
• Participate on various application Subcommittees to enhance the product functionality to meet the University’s business needs.  Provide feedback to vendor on user interface and functional equivalency issues.  Collaborate with peer institutions on best practices.

Qualifications

This posting is for one position and the final title will be determined based on qualifications.

Research Services Business Analyst

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience plus 3-5 years of related experience for Research Services Business Analyst position
• Experience working with complex ERP systems and/or enterprise research systems (i.e Coeus, InfoEd, Workday, Huron)
• Experience working business processes redesign; experience in a higher education or government organization, preferred.
• Experience with relational database systems and tools (e.g., SQL and SQL query tools such as Oracle SQL*Plus) and form development tools (e.g. HTML, XML)
• Experience with data warehouse design and report writing; e.g. Cognos

Senior Research Services Business Analyst

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience plus 5-7 years of related experience.
• Experience working with complex ERP systems and/or enterprise research systems (i.e Coeus, InfoEd, Workday, Huron)
• Experience working business processes redesign; experience in a higher education or government organization, preferred.
• Experience with relational database systems and tools (e.g., SQL and SQL query tools such as Oracle SQL*Plus) and form development tools (e.g. HTML, XML)
• Experience with data warehouse design and report writing; e.g. Cognos

Job Competencies

• Ability to accurately document business processes and ERP systems' information architecture.  Ability to be precise and attentive to detail is essential.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing critical thinking skills to proactively solve or mitigate problems, including anticipating issues, identifying solutions and providing appropriate communication to impacted parties.
• Ability to work with a wide range of individuals with varying sophistication and information needs.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills and the ability to facilitate group activities.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment; e.g. multiple projects, with routine interruptions and changing priorities.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing critical thinking skills to proactively solve or mitigate problems, including anticipating issues, identifying solutions and providing appropriate communication to impacted parties.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Possess a willingness and ability to support and promote a diverse and inclusive campus community

Preferred Experience

• Experience with relational database systems and tools (e.g., SQL and SQL query tools such as Oracle SQL*Plus) and form development tools (e.g. HTML, XML)
• Experience with data warehouse design and report writing; e.g. Cognos

All candidates are required to submit a cover letter and resume.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

Recruiting Start Date:

2023-10-13

Job Posting Title:

Research Services Business Analyst

Department:

Research Administration Information Systems and Reporting Services

Grade:

Grade 10

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Remote Eligible

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected] .

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer , Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.