Business Analyst/Project Manager

NORTHWESTERN BANK•Chippewa Falls, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Business Analyst/Project Manager (BA/PM) bridges the gap between business needs and technical solutions. This role combines analytical rigor with project leadership to ensure initiatives are strategically aligned and effectively executed. The BA/PM will lead cross-functional teams, manage project lifecycles, and translate business requirements into actionable plans that deliver measurable value. In addition to core responsibilities, the BA/PM will champion new initiatives that drive innovation and operational excellence across the organization. This includes identifying emerging opportunities, coordinating pilot programs, and aligning stakeholders around strategic goals. A key focus area will be exploring and evaluating the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance decision-making, automate processes, and improve customer and employee experiences. The BA/PM will collaborate with technology leaders to assess feasibility, define use cases, and guide implementation efforts for AI-driven solutions. The BA/PM will also play a key role in data analytics, leveraging data to uncover insights, support strategic planning, and measure project outcomes. This includes gathering and interpreting data from multiple sources, building dashboards or reports, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure data-driven decision-making is embedded in project execution and business analysis.

Requirements

Associate degree in Business Administration or Information Systems is preferred.
A minimum of five years experience with data reporting and analytics, project management, or a mix of the two.
A minimum of two years working in the banking or financial industry is preferred.
Experience with core banking systems is preferred.
Individual must possess: good common sense and problem solving skills; knowledge of project management methodologies; ability to analyze, interpret, and make decisions on various data points and reports; knowledge of banking procedures; excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills; professional demeanor and appearance; ability to interact professionally with a wide variety of people, dealing effectively with difficult customers and employees; ability to deal effectively with time pressures and stress: willingness to assume responsibility and solve problems; ability to maintain confidential and sensitive data relating to customer and employees; a strong sense of attention to detail; ability to input and retrieve data from a variety of computer systems.
Must be able to: compose correspondence and reports; sit for extended periods of time; attend occasional overnight, out-of-town meetings.
Must be able to handle stress, prioritize multiple projects being done at the same time.

Responsibilities

Project Management Plan, coordinate, and manage multiple projects of varying size and complexity.
Track milestones, risks, and issues, ensuring timely resolution and escalation when needed.
Maintain project documentation, including schedules, status reports, and change logs.
Facilitate cross-function collaboration among IT and operations
Ensure project deliverables meet quality standards, timelines, and budget constraints
Business Analysis Analyze and document business, functional, and technical requirements.
Lead meetings and workshops with stakeholders to gather insights and define needs.
Translate business needs into clear, actionable requirements for development and implementation teams.
Support user training by developing test plans and coordinating execution.
Maintain traceability of requirements throughout project lifecycle.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Serve as a liaison between business stakeholders and technical teams.
Communicate project updates, risks, and changes clearly and consistently.
Facilitate decision-making by presenting data-driven insights and solution options.
Coordinate and/or lead presentations for business stakeholders.
Data Analytics and Reporting Analyze operational and project data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities.
Develop reports to support strategic planning and performance tracking.
Collaborate with business units to define KPIs and measure project impact.
Innovation and Strategic Initiatives Lead new initiatives that align with organizational goals and drive process improvement.
Explore and evaluate AI applications to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
Pilot emerging technologies and assess their feasibility for broader adoption.
Facilitate user trainings for new or updated processes.
Provide low-level IT support as needed.
Assist the VP-Technology with risk assessments on new products and processes.
Microsoft 365 administration
Assist with upgrades on software applications as necessary.
Other duties may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.