Business Analyst- Corporate Planning

Overview

Business Analyst (BA) I

This Business Analyst (BA) I performs research and analysis to support the evaluation of new business opportunities, the assessment of ongoing business activities, and the development of new business plans. The entry-level Business Analyst I, relies on instruction and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job, works under immediate supervision and direction from the VP, Corporate Planning. The incumbent is expected to leverage detailed analytics, modeling, forecasting, trending, variance analysis, and other general financial and operational analyses in evaluating business cases and developing business plans for opportunities to improve cost efficiency, productivity, operational performance, and financial returns. Requires 3 - 5 years of business analysis and planning experience, preferably in government, utilities, or a regulated industry  

Business Analyst (BA) II

This Business Analyst (BA) II performs research and analysis to support the evaluation of new business opportunities, the assessment of ongoing business activities, and the development of new business plans. The Business Analyst II, relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, works under general supervision and direction from the VP, Corporate Planning. The incumbent is expected to leverage detailed analytics, modeling, forecasting, trending, variance analysis, and other general financial and operational analyses in evaluating business cases and developing business plans for opportunities to improve cost efficiency, productivity, operational performance, and financial returns. Requires 3 - 5 years of business analysis and planning experience, preferably in government, utilities, or a regulated industry  

Senior Business Analyst (SBA)

This Senior Business Analyst (SBA) performs research and analysis to support the evaluation of new business opportunities, the assessment of ongoing business activities, and the development of new business plans. The incumbent works under limited supervision of the VP, Corporate Planning and relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. The SBA is a key contributor and handles project assignments that may have global effects on the organization, including sole responsibility for developing strategic business plans for executive approvals. The incumbent is expected to leverage detailed analytics, modeling, forecasting, trending, variance analysis, and other general financial and operational analyses in evaluating business cases and developing business plans for opportunities to improve cost efficiency, productivity, operational performance, and financial returns. Requires over 5 years of business analysis and planning experience, preferably in government, utilities, or regulated industries, and experience in market research methodology, and/or city planning.

Responsibilities

Business Planning and Analysis

Perform business and financial analyses and develop business cases to evaluate potential opportunities and provide data-driven recommendations.

Coordinate with internal business units (including conducting client interviews and facilitating inter-departmental teamwork) and external partners (including vendor engagement and contract management processes) to lead the evaluation and development of business analyses and plans.

Plan and execute professional research, analysis, and summary reports and presentations on prioritized topics, to provide findings, conclusions, and recommendation to inform executive business decision-making.

Perform research, collect data, and synthesize findings from external resources, including industry publications and conferences, academic research, market sources, peer benchmarking, and government reports to inform corporate business analyses and plans. Identify industry trends and monitors relevant economic indicators translating them into implementable programs that drive the organizations improvement initiatives with a focus on innovation.

Identify internal and external datasets to inform research and analysis projects. Review data sources and reporting for accuracy and completeness. Perform data preparation for analysis. Support ongoing data collection and automation. Develop business intelligence reporting, forecasting models, and analytical frameworks to translate data into actionable recommendations.

Manage expectations and timelines in a fully transparent manner to all stakeholders to ensure that all requests are being treated fairly, above board and are beyond reproach.

Business Analysis I, II, and Senior Business Analysis are all accountable for the overall quality of work product, analysis, and recommendations

Corporate Planning and Analysis Program

Develop and administer enterprise-wide standard business and financial planning and analysis methodologies, including templates, tools, processes, trainings, and communications to ensure compliance and proper use.

Identify appropriate enterprise, departmental and resource business case metrics, and consistency of measures across the organization.

Standardize and introduce economies of repetition in the execution of corporate business and financial analyses and development of business plans.

Identify and monitor industry trends and incorporates best practices into organizational business case development and evaluation methodologies.

Deliver presentations and assists in the creation of training courses to support the implementation and adoption of corporate standards

Manage the intake, evaluation, selection, and reporting processes for proposed inter-departmental business analysis support requests to ensure that potential initiatives are aligned with the corporate strategy and to assure continued program improvement and innovation.

Support internal clients in developing, evaluating, and redesigning business plans, and guides internal clients to the best solution for their situation.

Participate in PGW’s continuous ideation and evaluation processes for developing new business opportunities, including identifying, generating, evaluating, and communicating potential opportunities

Other Related Functions

Ensure timely transfer of information and helps with unit operating and capital budget processes.

Perform other special projects and assignments as requested.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or other related field of study (Master’s degree preferred)

Business Analyst I, II must have 3 - 5 years of business analysis and planning experience, preferably in the government, utilities, or regulated industry. Senior Business Analyst must have over 5 years of business analysis and planning experience, preferably in government, utilities, or regulated industries, and experience in market research methodology, and/or city planning.        

Must have solid critical/analytical thinking, including the ability to make assessments, develop well thought out solutions to problems and take corrective action.  Familiarity with building business models and ability to conduct audits is desired.

Must have experience and willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions to provide guidance to lower-level peer group and assist in identifying the best people for special assignments.  Ability to effectively collaborate is a must.

Must have interpersonal influential skills with the ability to support and encourage a sense of change throughout the business and assist in cross-functional and cross-departmental projects

Must have the strong organization skills and be able to prioritize work independently, work in a fast-paced environment handling multiple projects, and pay close attention to details and meet deadlines

Must have the ability to communicate persuasively and influentially, both verbally and in writing, across a broad spectrum of stakeholders

Must have the ability to develop detailed business and communications plans, project status reports, proposed changes and presentations that tailored for the specific audience to get buy in to decisions

Must have the ability to identify and document detailed components of workflows and to make recommendations on how to appropriately modify those workflows. 

Must have the ability to understand the "big picture" and long-term implications, as well as the short-term impacts and challenges (in short, the context) and how to achieve the strategy through tactical execution.

Must be able to be a strong advocate for advancement of strategic initiatives which may be process-oriented in nature

Experience in data mining, data analysis, financial analysis and strategic marketing is beneficial

Must be computer literate with proficiency in the use of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project, SharePoint, and Visio; accounting software such as Oracle.