Principal Analyst I

Western Alliance Bank•Phoenix, AZ

13d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Principal Analyst I, you'll lead activities to review current processes and metrics that support operational effectiveness, identify constraints or opportunities that inhibit or accelerate the business and technology strategy. You'll develop options or approaches to improve business outcomes, and drive implementation of solutions to achieve desired results. You'll also be accountable for the development and review of artifacts to ensure they accurately describe current state processes, practices, and/or metrics, determining root cause for constraints in the process. Additionally, you'll take part in the identification of alternative processes and practice options with associated impact on KRIs/KPIs or Operational Metrics. You'll also track and communicate enhancements to the current process and practices as to whether the desired results are being realized through the use of data, metrics, and other quantitative measures. Additionally, as the Principal Analyst I, you'll engage with enterprise subject matter experts and stakeholders to tackle complex issues or opportunities that require significant coordination and alignment across different business units. You'll be accountable for understanding the problem statement or opportunity, capturing current state insights while also providing options and recommendations to the identified stakeholders. In this role you'll also identify, socialize, and gather necessary approvals for the upkeep of, KRIs, KPIs, and Operational Metrics. You will also act as a bridge between business and technology teams to translate procurement needs into scalable solutions, while driving process optimization, improving data quality, and delivering cross-functional improvements aligned with enterprise goals. Lead on programs and expected to lead activities to ensure that both the business outcomes of the project are achieved as well as the outcomes are aligned to our business strategy. This position will also define the work breakdown structure for all involved teams, by setting and meeting the deadlines for that work, lead discussions to gather requirements and review artifacts, while working to resolve issues that impede progress. Develop list of critical documentation and artifacts to meet project objectives, complete of high quality deliverables, and effectively communicate learnings, findings, impacts, and next steps with subject matter experts or project stakeholders. Use deep understanding of Microsoft Office tools, Diagramming Software (e.g. Lucid, Visio, etc.), and/or other appropriate technical tools in review of Banking processes, functions, or organizational models within a specific domain or functional area utilizing critical thinking skills and strong communication skills to develop clear and concise narratives or communications. Leverage Risk Management experience from a large financial institution subject to heightened standards, specifically in risk, compliance, or corporate governance. Provide strategic oversight and technical guidance for the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) ecosystem while collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into scalable, resilient system solutions that ensure data integrity and operational efficiency. Partner closely with developers, architects, and cross-functional teams to support and optimize Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes by ensuring seamless system interactions, reliable data exchange, and consistent processing across interconnected platforms. Supporting testing activities including UAT planning, execution, and defect resolution.

Requirements

8+ years of related experience.
Bachelor's degree in related field required.
Advanced to expert in process and data analysis within one or two domains or functional areas with deep critical thinking skills.
Experience working as a SME across one or two domains or functional areas.
Strong understanding of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes, with the ability to translate procurement, accounts payable, and finance operations into scalable system designs and data-driven solutions.
Hands-on experience with procurement technology platforms (e.g., Oracle Fusion, Coupa, Levelpath), focusing on system configuration, data integrity, performance optimization, and end-to-end workflow reliability.
Advanced speaking and writing communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous leadership experience preferred.
Advanced knowledge of general Financial Services or Banking is preferred.
Advanced knowledge of applicable regulatory and legal compliance obligations, rules and regulations, industry standards and practices.

Responsibilities

Lead activities to review current processes and metrics that support operational effectiveness.
Identify constraints or opportunities that inhibit or accelerate the business and technology strategy.
Develop options or approaches to improve business outcomes, and drive implementation of solutions to achieve desired results.
Accountable for the development and review of artifacts to ensure they accurately describe current state processes, practices, and/or metrics, determining root cause for constraints in the process.
Take part in the identification of alternative processes and practice options with associated impact on KRIs/KPIs or Operational Metrics.
Track and communicate enhancements to the current process and practices as to whether the desired results are being realized through the use of data, metrics, and other quantitative measures.
Engage with enterprise subject matter experts and stakeholders to tackle complex issues or opportunities that require significant coordination and alignment across different business units.
Accountable for understanding the problem statement or opportunity, capturing current state insights while also providing options and recommendations to the identified stakeholders.
Identify, socialize, and gather necessary approvals for the upkeep of, KRIs, KPIs, and Operational Metrics.
Act as a bridge between business and technology teams to translate procurement needs into scalable solutions, while driving process optimization, improving data quality, and delivering cross-functional improvements aligned with enterprise goals.
Lead on programs and expected to lead activities to ensure that both the business outcomes of the project are achieved as well as the outcomes are aligned to our business strategy.
Define the work breakdown structure for all involved teams, by setting and meeting the deadlines for that work.
Lead discussions to gather requirements and review artifacts, while working to resolve issues that impede progress.
Develop list of critical documentation and artifacts to meet project objectives, complete of high quality deliverables, and effectively communicate learnings, findings, impacts, and next steps with subject matter experts or project stakeholders.
Use deep understanding of Microsoft Office tools, Diagramming Software (e.g. Lucid, Visio, etc.), and/or other appropriate technical tools in review of Banking processes, functions, or organizational models within a specific domain or functional area utilizing critical thinking skills and strong communication skills to develop clear and concise narratives or communications.
Leverage Risk Management experience from a large financial institution subject to heightened standards, specifically in risk, compliance, or corporate governance.
Provide strategic oversight and technical guidance for the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) ecosystem while collaborating with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into scalable, resilient system solutions that ensure data integrity and operational efficiency.
Partner closely with developers, architects, and cross-functional teams to support and optimize Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes by ensuring seamless system interactions, reliable data exchange, and consistent processing across interconnected platforms.
Support testing activities including UAT planning, execution, and defect resolution.

Benefits

competitive salaries
an ownership stake in the company
medical and dental insurance
time off
a great 401k matching program
tuition assistance program
an employee volunteer program
a wellness program
opportunity to bolster business knowledge
learning the ins and outs of how successful companies operate and manage their finances