Senior IT Business Analyst (DEEP-CEMI) [Remote] [3 Year Term]

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI) is a multi-year program aimed at enhancing administrative systems and processes across Cornell University to improve the experience for students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, patients, and partners. The CEMI Donor Engagement and Experience Project (DEEP) is a significant part of this initiative, focusing on modernizing and unifying advancement and development technology across various Cornell campuses and Weill Cornell Medicine. This role is a three-year term appointment with potential for extension or early termination based on organizational needs, funding, and performance. The Senior IT Business Analyst will operate with a high degree of independence, providing expert-level business analysis, guidance, and leadership throughout the project lifecycle. The position emphasizes fostering a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment through inclusive communication and collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, Computer Science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in business analysis, systems analysis, or IT project delivery, preferably in a complex, multi‑unit environment.
Demonstrated expertise in leading requirements gathering, facilitating workshops, and translating complex business needs into clear, actionable system requirements.
Proven experience in business process analysis and redesign, including mapping current-state and future-state processes for large, cross‑functional initiatives.
Strong skills in data analysis, data validation, and supporting data‑centric decision‑making for system implementations.
Demonstrated success contributing to or leading components of enterprise system implementations (ERP, CRM, advancement systems, or similarly complex platforms).
Ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels—executive leadership, end users, functional subject‑matter experts, and technical teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to non‑technical audiences.
Experience supporting or leading testing activities, including test planning, test case development, execution, and defect triage.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, evolving project environment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and operate as a trusted partner and advisor on high‑visibility initiatives.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, healthcare, or other decentralized environments with complex governance structures.
Hands‑on experience supporting or implementing advancement/development systems (e.g., CRM platforms, donor engagement solutions, fundraising technology).
Familiarity with Workday, Salesforce (Education Cloud or NPSP), Blackbaud CRM, Ellucian advancement tools, or similar enterprise platforms.
Advanced knowledge of business analysis methodologies, such as BABOK standards, process modeling, and requirements management best practices.
Experience working in Agile, hybrid Agile, or iterative project environments.
Professional certification(s), such as: CBAP, CCBA, PMI‑PBA Scrum Master PMP
Experience contributing to enterprise‑level governance frameworks, standards, or decision‑making bodies.
Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor junior analysts and promote best practices in analysis, documentation, testing, and stakeholder engagement.
Experience designing or supporting change management, training, or user‑adoption activities for major system transitions.

Responsibilities

Provide high-level business analysis within the CEMI program, with primary responsibility for the DEEP project.
Operate with a high degree of independence, providing expert-level business analysis, guidance, and leadership.
Ensure the new solution meets the nuanced needs of varied organizations (Alumni Affairs, Weill Cornell Medicine, Lab of Ornithology) while driving consistency, operational excellence, and an improved user experience.
Work closely with the DEEP Project Leadership team and CEMI Program Management team.
Collaborate with other project managers and business analysts.
Evaluate complex business processes with stakeholders.
Lead the development of refined future-state workflows.
Define and validate system requirements.
Shape solution design in alignment with university-wide strategic goals.
Drive the establishment of common, best-practice business processes across diverse advancement organizations.
Contribute to governance structures for the new enterprise technology environment.
Lead requirements development activities.
Facilitate process mapping and cross-functional workshops.
Perform advanced data analysis.
Contribute to system design and integration planning.
Produce high-quality documentation.
Lead testing strategy and execution efforts.
Play a significant role in change management and stakeholder communication.
Ensure technology solutions meet complex operational, technical, and strategic needs across multiple platforms, units, and initiatives.
Serve as a significant contributor in requirements analysis, process optimization, system configuration support, testing oversight, data validation, and readiness planning.
Provide critical expertise to support the transition and ensure long-term system sustainability and functional continuity.
Cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care options
Generous retirement contributions
Access to wellness programs
Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
Health and personal leave
Three weeks of vacation
13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
Two additional floating holidays
Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
Tuition aid for external education
Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program