Senior Business Analyst, AVP Planning & Performance

Description

Budget Transformation \& Optimization within AVP Planning \& Performance is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Business Analyst.

Reporting to the Director, Continuous Improvement Finance, the Senior Business Analyst, Continuous Improvement plays a key role in advancing the University of Calgary' financial sustainability and strategic priorities by leading business analysis, process redesign, and continuous improvement initiatives across Finance.

This role leads enterprise Finance initiatives and continuous improvement projects with a focus on Strategy 4 - Make our Processes Clearer, Simpler, and Better. The Senior Business Analyst works closely with Finance leadership, FP\&A teams, subject matter experts, and cross-functional partners.

Working in a highly complex environment, the position demands expertise in navigating a dynamic academic, business, and research setting, which is often varied and rapidly evolving. There is consistently high volume of work, requiring the incumbent to demonstrate strong communication, leadership, facilitation, and client service skills. The ability to perform and to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels is critical.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Project Management \& Continuous Improvement Delivery

• Manage Finance continuous improvement projects from initiation through to completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and aligned with objectives.
• Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, resourcing, risk assessments, and stakeholder communication strategies.
• Monitor project performance and report on progress, adjusting plans to address risks, issues and changing priorities.
• Facilitate workshops and working sessions, such as process mapping, prioritization, and design sessions.
• Design future-state processes, pilots and phased implementation roadmaps.
• Track delivery progress, benefits realization, and performance metrics to support governance and executive oversight.

Process Investigation \& Analysis

• Conduct structured discovery activities including interviews, workshops, job shadowing, and data reviews to understand current-state Finance processes.
• Gather, validate, and document business requirements from stakeholder groups.
• Analyze process performance, pain points, cycle times, handoffs, controls, and variation using qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Identify root causes of inefficiencies and risk using structured problem-solving tools (e.g., SIPOC, value stream mapping, fishbone, 5 Whys).

Process Documentation \& Standards

• Develop and maintain high quality, enterprise ready process documentation, including:
  • End-to-end process maps (as-is and to-be)
  • Swim lane diagrams
  • RACI matrices clarifying ownership and accountability
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Data and information flow diagrams

Finance Systems \& Data Enablement

• Leverage strong working knowledge of enterprise finance systems and analytical tools including PeopleSoft, Oracle EPM/Hyperion, Smart View, and advanced Excel.
• Extract, analyze, and interpret financial and operational data to inform improvement opportunities and recommendations.
• Partner with Finance Systems, Reporting, and IT teams to ensure process improvements are aligned with system capabilities, data structures, and reporting standards.

Stakeholder Engagement \& Change Enablement

• Present findings, recommendations, and visualizations to Finance leadership, governance forums, and operational teams.
• Translate complex financial, technical, and process concepts into clear, executive-ready insights.
• Build strong relationships across faculties and administrative units to support trust, collaboration, and adoption of improved processes.
• Contribute to change management activities, including communications, training materials, readiness assessments, and transition to business-as-usual.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor' degree in finance, business, accounting, or a related discipline.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
• A professional accounting designation (or progress toward a CPA) is preferred; Project Management Professional (PMP), or Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) certifications are considered assets.
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in business analysis, project management, or process continuous improvement roles.
• Experience leading or materially supporting process improvement, internal control assessment, and/or finance transformation initiatives in a large organization.
• Demonstrated experience working with enterprise financial systems and large financial datasets.
• Proficiency in process mapping and documentation tools (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart, Miro).
• Advanced Excel capabilities, including data modeling, Power Query, pivot tables, and complex formulas.
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials, Oracle EPM/Hyperion, Smart View, Power BI and institutional reporting tools. Ability to design KPI analytics.
• Strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within established procedures, timelines, and governance frameworks.

Application Deadline: May 28, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People \& Culture ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.