Job Description

IT Business Systems Analyst II (Customer)

This Business Analyst will support the Customer technology platform for Southern Company Gas (GAS) applications used by GAS Distribution Operations for our state regulated Local Distribution Companies (LDC). This role will have primary responsibility for assessing systems and issues and making suggestions to meet business needs.

This position will collaborate with others to elicit requirements and develop implementation and project plans with stakeholders. Work to identify how technology can be applied to solve organizational problems. Manage technical issues and work with developers to ensure requirements are met. Update and manage configurations and provide support for application software solutions, ensure functionality gap resolution is performed for both new software as well as enhancements to existing software. Leads the analysis and evaluation of application functionality, provides recommendations to increase the utilization of standard functionality to support business process. Assists in supporting investment planning and prioritization activities, analyzing and recommending courses of action to reduce IT costs, reduce organizational risk, and meet strategic objectives and functional requirements.

This position is reports to the Manager, IT (CCB and Metering).

JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills )

Education

• BS or BA degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field is required or equivalent work experience.

Experience and Knowledge

• 2 years of experience in requirements elicitation, business relationship management, business analysis/consulting or experience in Customer or Operations Services business units preferred.
• Demonstrated business acumen combined with expertise that establishes credibility.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships to apply knowledge of the business and appropriate technology for streamlining business processes, reducing costs, improving efficiency, and improving customer satisfaction.
• Understand and articulate the mission, vision, goals, strategic and tactical initiatives of GAS Technology and the business teams; develop strategic technology plans with the business units on a company, team, or system-wide basis.
• Understand and articulate the mission, vision, goals, strategic and tactical initiatives of the technology organization.
• Anticipate and communicate the business unit's technology needs to the technology organization to ensure that technology priorities are established, prioritized, and driven by the business needs to maximize value of technology investments.
• Communicate technology initiatives and updates and educate on technology capabilities and opportunities to the business unit and represent the business unit's interests/concerns/issues on these points.
• Provide active support in the development, communication, and implementation of strategic technology plans and initiatives. Consults with business stakeholders on technology capabilities and on TO products and services.
• Facilitate a team of technology teammates, BOTS partners and business unit management to ensure appropriate handling of business partner strategic and tactical needs.
• Support business case development, in conjunction with the BOTS organization, which clearly articulates business requirements, options for potential solutions, financial benefit, appropriate use of technology, and value added for supported business unit.
• Provide coordination in vendor management activities, including Statement of Work, Supply Chain engagement, Requests for Proposals, vendor demonstrations, as well as assisting management with project budget planning.
• Provide support for budgeting of technology products and services to ensure a full understanding of technology costs within the business units.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships within GAS Technology effectively supporting the business.
• Share technology best practices within business units, across business units, within Southern Company, and external companies.
• Ensure that business unit understands the importance of common technology standards and the implications (including cost implications) of non-compliance.
• Facilitate business unit prioritization of competing demands for technology resources

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Account management skills including managing multiple tasks/priorities, communication, teamwork, consulting, financial analysis, negotiating and influencing.
• Requirements elicitation and experience building and maintaining a requirements traceability matrix
• Outstanding credibility and ability to build strong relationships internally and externally to influence change.
• Team player with a collaborative approach to drive solutions for the good of Southern Company.
• Superior customer service skills that demonstrate initiative and follow through towards meeting customer commitments.
• Proven analytical abilities, planning, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, exhibit breadth in vision and innovative thinking.
• Demonstrated critical, independent thinking: demonstrated ability to conceive and present creative solutions.
• Ability to build, to maintain, and to influence relationships at all levels and within all organizations.
• Strong knowledge of capabilities and viabilities of both current and emerging technologies used within Southern Company and externally.
• Through insight into business needs, anticipate and provide suggestions for innovative solutions and uses for emerging technologies to improve productivity and achieve business goals.
• Knowledge of Southern Company’s business functions, including economic and value drivers, and impact of external industry trends.
• Facilitation skills, listening, leadership, strong organizational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexible, can work under stress with changing direction and minimal supervision.
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, is proactive, and habitually removes obstacles for success.