Analyst, Planning & Performance

NRG•Houston, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This Business Analyst position is a unique opportunity to help shape how our organization approaches AI and automation. You’ll act as a bridge between business units, facilitating conversations, gathering requirements, and helping teams evaluate whether AI is the right solution—or if alternatives like automation or process improvement make more sense. Beyond scoping ideas, you’ll serve as the Product Owner for the Data & Insights AI product team, translating approved concepts into delivery-ready work and guiding a portfolio of AI projects from backlog through build alongside Scrum Masters, technical leads, and our Data & AI partners. This is a highly collaborative role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, loves learning, and enjoys building relationships across the company. Key Attributes Curiosity & Growth Mindset: Always asking questions, eager to learn, and comfortable with not having all the answers. Adaptability: Able to navigate gray areas and help define the role as it evolves. Relationship Builder: Skilled at connecting with stakeholders and fostering trust. Political Savvy: Understands organizational dynamics and can work effectively within them. Confidence & Resourcefulness: Comfortable admitting what they don’t know and proactive in finding answers. Clear Communicator: Able to translate business needs into language IT understands and vice versa.

Requirements

Early-career professional with 2–5 years of experience in business analysis, product owner, project coordination, or similar roles.
Basic understanding of AI concepts and automation tools; ability to translate business needs into technical language.
Strong curiosity and willingness to learn; comfortable navigating ambiguity and evolving responsibilities.
Excellent communication & facilitation skills; able to build relationships & influence across teams.
Confidence in asking questions and resourcefulness in finding answers.
Ability to present findings and recommendations clearly to leadership.
Comfortable managing several concurrent workstreams and coordinating cross-functional technical teams, while keeping business stakeholders informed and aligned.

Nice To Haves

Experience utilizing AI is highly valued, especially Microsoft Copilot.
Familiarity with Agile/Scrum and product ownership (backlog management, sprint planning, writing user stories); a Scrum Product Owner certification (e.g., PSPO) is a plus or can be obtained on the job.

Responsibilities

Facilitate discussions between business units to explore AI opportunities and alternative solutions (automation, process improvement).
Gather and document requirements, processes, and business cases for AI-related initiatives.
Support business owners in understanding AI concepts and evaluating feasibility.
Help refine ideas to determine whether AI is the right solution or if other approaches are more suitable.
Coordinate next steps for approved initiatives, including CAPEX/OPEX considerations and prioritization.
Maintain a clear record of all initiatives, findings, and recommendations.
Prepare and deliver presentations to multiple levels of leadership on proposed solutions and progress.
Act as a liaison to ensure alignment between business needs and technical capabilities.
Act as Product Owner for the Data & Insights AI product team, prioritizing the work so the team focuses on the highest-value projects first.
Turn ideas into clear, actionable plans and partner with the delivery team to keep projects moving on schedule.
Maintain a single, up-to-date view of all AI initiatives, tracking sponsors, use cases, approvals, estimated costs and benefits, and readiness to start.
Guide initiatives through the AI intake and governance process, and help manage the team’s budget.
Share regular updates with stakeholders and leadership, and support the TX AI Pathfinders program by helping shape ideas into ready-to-go business cases.