Student Services Systems Analyst

About

The Systems Analyst for Enrolment Services is responsible for system integration, development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of student services systems that will enhance the operational efficiency and service excellence throughout the student life cycle. The Systems Analyst ensures that technology functions effectively in the business unit and acts as a link between business goals and technology solutions. This role combines strategic planning and technological expertise with analytical and process optimization skills to analyze, specify, and validate the business needs of stakeholders, including eliciting and compiling user requirements.

The incumbent will work closely with stakeholders within Student Services and across the greater SaskPolytech community to gather requirements, study and refine technological processes, and work closely with ES Managers, Student Information Systems Analysts, and Information Technology experts to design and implement integrated technological solutions that align with institutional goals.

The Systems Analyst works collegially as part of an extended team utilizing project development process expertise and business acumen to envision, gain consensus on systems integration and development of support models and procedures, and interfacing with vendors, programs, external institutions, and stakeholders. These services support a vision of utilizing technology to assist in delivering Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s goals of creating an engaging, flexible student learning experience while delivering operational efficiencies.

The Systems Analyst is a continual learner accountable to maintain expertise in new educational technology business models to enhance Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s processes, solutions, and products thereby maximizing student success.

Responsibilities

• Identify inefficiencies in current technology processes and systems and design improvements to optimize performance, increase business value, and reduce resource requirements.
• Work with cross-functional teams to identify and solve complex system problems responding to changing business needs using student information systems capabilities.
• Manage and track configuration of multiple systems to meet accreditation and integration needs.
• Coordinate with vendors to ensure functional systems integration.
• Improve systems maintainability and reliability enhancing business capability and processes.
• Act as a systems super user for Enrolment Services.
• Conduct stakeholder analysis through research, interviews, and documentation to align technology and business needs.
• Facilitate development of business requirements into software solutions through stakeholder engagement.
• Lead sessions to gather and manage system requirements incorporating user needs and data analysis.
• Develop documentation illustrating data flow, departmental intersections, and student lifecycle.
• Conduct walkthroughs to assess technological feasibility and alignment with business goals.
• Collaborate with project sponsors to determine project scope and vision.
• Attend project meetings as a team member and subject matter expert providing project status updates.
• Conduct interviews and workshops to gather technological and user requirements.
• Define and track project impact, outcome criteria, and metrics.
• Prioritize collected IT systems requirements with stakeholders and project team.
• Research and analyze effectiveness of existing requirements-gathering processes.
• Create detailed Business IT Requirement Documents and translate into functional specifications.
• Promote data quality assurance and remove inefficiencies in project paths.
• Facilitate and maintain accurate documentation of project proposal workbooks including data flow charts, process mapping, and statistical analysis.
• Monitor project scopes and progress metrics to ensure compliance with overall vision and mandate.
• Collaborate with SIS, IT and ES management to resolve technological operational issues.
• Provide reporting and forward decision items to decision makers on demand.
• Participate in quality assurance and optimization of purchased solutions and software updates.
• Contribute to requirements documentation for software solutions.
• Research, analyze, and test new internal business solutions including Banner and ERP integrations.
• Explore new products to meet business needs and stay current with industry trends.
• Validate requirements through testing and oversee implementation.
• Support the technology roadmap and track student lifecycle processes.
• Create shared technology services for organization-wide use.
• Collaborate with internal and external experts to design cost-effective, best-practice solutions.
• Conduct detailed research and industry scans for higher education to understand existing business models and solutions.
• Utilize multiple sources and innovative approaches to evaluate potential options and their viability.
• Represent the organization on provincial, national, and international committees and working groups.
• Collaborate with frontline and functional teams to troubleshoot, validate data, and ensure service continuity.
• Establish and maintain strong vendor relationships for issue escalation and troubleshooting.
• Develop and monitor processes and identify opportunities for workflow improvements.
• Perform testing and configurations in Student Services Systems to ensure functional sustainability.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Business Information Systems, Computer Systems Technology or IT-related field discipline, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum of six years of progressive experience in leading and managing projects in an enterprise environment including IT systems technology and knowledge of software applications and system integrations.
• Experience in database design, complex data integration, system analysis, basic knowledge of data modeling, and data management with maintaining data quality.
• Experience in designing and building reports and queries to support workflows and strategic information needs.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills with ability to manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• Highly self-motivated with ownership of responsibilities and a creative, solutions-focused approach to managing high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to independently manage initiatives, support teams, and work collaboratively with team and stakeholders.
• Ability to improve effectiveness and implement change management practices and support others to navigate changes.
• Demonstrates values diversity.