Benefits Business Analyst I or II

Summary of Job Responsibilities

This position is responsible for driving continuous process improvement within the Benefit Services Division, including the administration of PERA’s defined benefit (DB), defined contribution (DC), 401(k), and 457 plans. The role advances PERA’s strategic goals and reinforces PERA’s dedication to high-value, low-cost service to members, employers, retirees, and plan participants. Additionally, this position is responsible for providing functional support of the benefit systems infrastructure and translating business needs into actionable solutions that enhance and modify current and future benefit administration systems, user interfaces, and business intelligence data utilization within the division.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate is an experienced business analyst with a proven track record leading User Acceptance Testing (UAT), driving continuous process improvement, and implementing repeatable, sustainable operational processes. They bring strong analytical skills and experience developing process metrics, KPIs, and reporting that measure performance and support data-driven decision making. This individual excels at documenting requirements, workflows, and business processes while effectively collaborating with both technical teams and business stakeholders to deliver meaningful, measurable improvements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodations.

• Partners with identified benefits department staff to drive continuous process improvement by utilizing and implementing process improvement frameworks
• Leads enterprise-wide business process improvement (BPI) efforts, mentors the development of BPI practitioners, and oversees the adoption of BPI tools and frameworks
• Contributes to the development and ongoing maintenance of interfaces and infrastructure of the benefit administration systems
• Engages with stakeholders to assess business needs, recommends process improvements, enhancements and solutions, leads requirements gathering, and documents business requirements
• Documents business requirements, test plans, training materials, user stories, and implementation plans to support the successful execution of projects
• Manages user acceptance testing (UAT) prior to change completion and release to benefits department users
• Acts as a collaborative change champion to support change management initiatives, using the ADKAR model, and implementation for larger projects directly supported by the Change Management Office (CMO)
• Acts as a change agent to integrate ADKAR philosophy in project plans and delivery for smaller projects not directly supported by the CMO
• Work cross-functionally with Product Management, Project Management, Change Management, Application Development, consultants, and contractors on broader business initiatives
• Identifies technical and administrative risks and structures solutions to eliminate or effectively mitigate them
• Identifies trends and inefficiencies and recommends improvements
• Communicates effectively with all stakeholders, including technical and benefits staff
• Actively seeks out and participates in training and other educational opportunities for ongoing professional development
• Understand PERA benefits plans and terminology
• Ensures process documentation is updated regularly
• Supports and pursues achievement of established objectives
• Maintains regular and prompt attendance in the workplace
• Carries out other duties as assigned

See Leveling Guide for additional essential functions

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, or equivalent
• Five years of benefit administration, business analysis, project management, product management, quality assurance (QA), and/or continuous process improvement experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Working with benefit administration systems; including pension administration systems, workflow management programs, and/or contribution reporting platforms
• Process improvement; utilizing frameworks such as Lean, Six Sigma, etc.
• Creating and/or maintaining process maps, user stories, business requirement documents, testing plans, or other appropriate documentation
• Experience working with both non-technical end users and technical development staff
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications
• Experience with Microsoft Visio or similar process mapping tools preferred
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI or similar data visualization tools preferred
• Detail-oriented and quality-focused
• Effective interpersonal skills including customer service, training, and conflict management skills
• Effective problem resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills
• Effective oral, written, and presentation communication skills
• Effective time management and organization skills

See Leveling Guide for additional qualifications

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine.

• Occasional moving and positioning supplies in excess of 20 pounds

• All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time

• Ability to operate standard PC equipment

• Ability to manage frequent deadlines and tight schedules

Hybrid Work Option

• Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.

LEVELING GUIDE

Benefits Business Analyst II and Senior Benefits Business Analyst requirements include those of the preceding level or levels.

	Benefits Business Analyst I	Benefits Business Analyst II
Scope and Complexity of Work	Performs the essential functions listed under the guidance of more senior Benefits Business Analysts and the Benefit Operations Manager Learns and supports change management principles Runs standard reports Understands basic PERA benefits plans and terminology Identify trends and inefficiencies and recommends improvements Ensures process documentation is regularly updated	Leads continuous process improvement within the division Manages and documents business requirements, test plans, training plans, and user stories in support of projects Manages and/or performs user acceptance testing (UAT) of changes prior to completion and release to benefits department users Communicates complex information effectively and efficiently with all stakeholders, including technical staff, benefits department staff, and organizational leadership Applies change management in small to mid-size initiatives Develops dashboards to monitor KPI’s and project progress or process efficiencies
Education	A combination of education and experience equivalent to 5 years of benefit administration, business analysis, project management, product management, quality assurance, and/or continuous process improvement.	A combination of education and experience equivalent to 7 years of benefit administration, business analysis, project management, product management, quality assurance, and/or continuous process improvement.
Required Education	Bachelor's Degree	Bachelor's Degree
Leadership	Visibly supports BSD and PERA in pursuit of established objectives Shares Best Practices	Participates in training and mentoring of developing Benefits Business Analysts. Leads project teams to support team and divisional goals and objectives. Leads and mentors Business Process Improvement (BPI) practitioners
Knowledge	Experience in one of the following areas: Working with benefit administration systems, including pension administration systems, workflow management programs, and/or contribution reporting platforms Process improvement utilizing frameworks such as Lean, Six Sigma, etc. Creating and/or maintaining process maps, user stories, business requirement documents, testing plans, or other appropriate documentation	Demonstrated experience in one of the following areas: Driving positive customer outcomes by application of value stream maps, voice of the customer, or other customer-centric frameworks in continuous process improvement strategies Creating and/or maintaining process maps, user stories, business requirement documents, testing plans, or other appropriate documentation
Skills	Strong commitment to quality and attention to detail Effective interpersonal skills; including customer service, training, and conflict management skills Effective problem resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills Effective oral, written, and presentation communication skills Effective time management and organization skills	Strong interpersonal skills; including customer service, training, and conflict management skills Strong problem resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills Strong time management and organization skills Experience with Microsoft Visio or similar diagramming/visualization software Ability to identify and frame business problems, coordinate with stakeholders, and develop actionable solutions that align with broader organizational goals
Preferred Qualifications	Exposure to Lean Six Sigma principles	Green Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement Prosci or equivalent change management certification