Job Description

The work we do has an impact on millions of lives, and you can be a part of it.We help protect our customers against life’s uncertainties. Regardless of where you work within the company, you’ll be helping provide protection and peace of mind when our customers need it most.
The Life Systems team, IT Business Solutions division of Protective Life Corporation has an opening for a Business Systems Analyst in our Birmingham, Alabama home office.  This role focuses on working with the Information Technology (IT) staff and Business Partners to implement new or enhanced Life products into our Sales Illustration and Policy Administration systems.  
The qualified candidate will be responsible for thorough analysis of complex information and requirements, certifying changes made to our systems, developing and maintaining certain system values and settings, providing complex business consulting support to the IT staff and customers, and to influence others in IT and customer areas through teaching/sharing of specialized knowledge and/or leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance/Testing:  Ensures complex products, goods and services satisfy customer requirements using a standard process methodology. 
• Actively participates in reviews of code, specifications, requirements, etc. to develop, document and implement repeatable test plans.  Proactively diagnoses problems through research, analysis, and understanding of structured languages.
• Requirement Process: Using a structured approach, develops a comprehensive set of requirements or business models necessary to create the desired sustainable “to be” business environment. Translates end-user requirements into workflow and procedural changes and specifications for complex system modifications as appropriate. 
• Production Support:  Diagnoses and manages complex software defects and system anomalies to a successful resolution.  Works with software developers to resolve complex problems and provides detailed diagnostic information.  Consults with end-users concerning corrective actions as needed in a calm and professional manner.
• Application Configuration:  Creates, maintains and coordinates updates to complex critical system data elements and configurable applications, including rules, values, tables and output with little or no development resource assistance.  Understands complex data structure and database schemas. 
• Training:  Prepares end-user procedures and manuals and provides end-user training for complex new or changed system functionality. Motivates fellow team members through knowledge sharing and mentoring.
• Project Management:  Documents complex project phases, provides regular status updates and creates effective release/implementation plans.
• IT Influence/Leadership:  Represents the team in interdepartmental projects and corporate initiatives; consults with the business area on the complex system-related issues and makes recommendations for better utilizing the available technology.

Qualifications:

• Typically, 2+ years of applicable work and/or technical experience
• Typically, post-secondary degree, with a technical concentration, in a discipline such as: Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics, applicable work experience in either a technical field or the life insurance or annuity industry may be substituted.
• Life policy administration or financial system experience is preferred.  
• General understanding of life products and policy administration is preferred.  
• Must be able to comprehend, analyze, and interpret complex life product specifications and calculations.   
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and formulas is preferred. 
• Skills Required:
• A thorough understanding of the system's underlying values, tables, and codes and their impact on system processing
• Complex analytical and problem solving skills
• Demonstrates a complex working knowledge of systems and software development concepts, practices and procedures
• Ability to work effectively under very tight deadline pressure
• Proficiency in pertinent tools and software necessary for the position
• Ability to plan, schedule and execute multiple concurrent activities
• Clear use of the English language in written and oral communications and the ability to interpret and communicate technical information to non-technical personnel and vice versa
• Complex presentation and negotiation skills and the ability to lead meetings professionally and effectively
• Ability to act with diplomacy in resolving conflict, consulting and in acting as an agent in charge
• Must be self- motivated, able to work independently and willing to self-teach and take responsibility for ongoing professional development

Employee Benefits:  We aim to protect the wellbeing of our employees and their families with a broad benefits offering. In addition to offering comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, we support emotional wellbeing through mental health benefits and an employee assistance program. Work/life balance is important and Protective offers a variety of paid time away benefits (e.g., paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day). The financial health of our employees is just as important as physical and emotional health.  Some of the financial wellbeing benefits include contributions to healthcare accounts, a pension plan, and a 401(k) plan with Company matching. All employees are encouraged to protect their overall wellbeing by engaging in ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards.   
Eligibility for certain benefits may vary by position in accordance with the terms of the Company’s benefit plans.
Accommodations for Applicants with a DisabilityIf you require an accommodation to complete the application and recruitment process due to a disability, please email eric.hess@protective.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application and recruitment process.
Please note that the above email is solely for individuals with disabilities requesting an accommodation.  General employment questions should not be sent through this process.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to being inclusive and attracting, retaining, and growing an inclusive workforce.