Business Analyst

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

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POSITION SPECIFICS​

Penn State IT is seeking two Business Analysts to support key Workday functional areas: 

• Workday Payroll, Benefits, Timekeeping, and Absence Team 

• Workday Recruiting and Talent Team 

The Business Analyst serves as a strategic liaison between business stakeholders and technical teams, analyzing business needs, identifying opportunities for process improvement, and translating business requirements into effective Workday solutions. This position plays a critical role in enhancing HR technology capabilities, supporting operational excellence, and ensuring that Workday solutions align with university business objectives and compliance requirements. 

Experience supporting Workday as a business analyst is preferred. Candidates with significant business analyst experience supporting comparable enterprise HRIS platforms (e.g., Oracle HCM Cloud, SAP SuccessFactors, PeopleSoft HCM, or UKG Pro) and the ability to quickly learn new systems are encouraged to apply. 

LOCATION

Penn State IT is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. The location of this position is flexible and can operate fully remote within the United States (restrictions apply).  Standard working hours are in the eastern time zone. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Business Analysis & Requirements Management 

• Partner with Human Resources, Payroll, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, and other university stakeholders to understand business objectives, challenges, and operational needs. 

• Elicit, document, analyze, and validate business, functional, and non-functional requirements. 

• Develop business process flows, use cases, user stories, functional specifications, and other project documentation. 

• Facilitate workshops, interviews, and requirements-gathering sessions. 

• Ensure requirements are clearly communicated and understood by technical teams. 

• Translate complex business needs into actionable Workday configuration and enhancement requirements. 

• Collaborate with data and analytics teams to define reporting requirements. 

Workday Functional Support 

• Support Workday business processes, integrations, reporting, security, and system enhancements within assigned functional areas. 

• Collaborate with functional and technical teams to evaluate system capabilities and recommend improvements. 

• Assist with Workday releases by assessing impacts, testing new functionality, and supporting implementation activities. 

• Identify opportunities to optimize business processes using delivered Workday functionality and best practices. 

Process Improvement & Solution Design 

• Analyze current-state and future-state business processes. 

• Conduct gap analyses and recommend innovative solutions that improve efficiency, user experience, and data quality. 

• Support continuous improvement initiatives across HR operations and technology platforms. 

• Develop recommendations that align with university policies, compliance requirements, and strategic goals. 

Project & Change Support 

• Participate in and lead business analysis activities for Workday projects and enhancements.

• Collaborate with project managers, system administrators, and technical teams throughout the project lifecycle. 

• support user acceptance testing (UAT), test planning, defect resolution, and deployment activities. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build effective working relationships with HR leaders, business partners, IT teams, and external vendors. 

• Act as a trusted advisor by delivering data-driven insights and solution-oriented recommendations. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Strong proficiency in business analysis methodologies and frameworks. 

• Experience with Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, or hybrid project methodologies. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio. 

• Experience with business process modeling tools and requirements management software. 

• Familiarity with Jira or comparable tools is preferred.  

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Business Analyst - Senior Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree
6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None

If filled as Business Analyst - Advanced Professional, this position requires:
Bachelor's Degree
3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
Required Certifications:
None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $72,300.00 - $122,016.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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