Business Systems Analyst

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), a leading multi-family real estate investment trust (REIT), means being part of a community and striving to provide the best in apartment living, speaking boldly about new ideas for innovation, and inspiring creativity in the ways we work together. Our portfolio of high-quality properties in urban growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles – provides homes where people most want to live, work and play. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to our residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that gives our residents a place where they can Live Remarkably, and offers a culture where our employees have the opportunity to make their mark.

Under the direction of the Senior Product Manager on the Information Technology team, the Business Systems Analyst (BSA) is responsible for aligning technology to business strategy. Your role will be to work closely with business partners in order to define technology objectives, determine where improvements can be made, and help develop systems and processes that benefit those business improvement goals. Your core responsibilities will include developing and maintaining test automation using custom off-the-shelf software and other tools, as well as providing and assisting in technical support (i.e. SQL querying) and solutions (data correction scripts).

As a Business Systems Analyst, you will serve as the technical subject matter and quality expert while providing guidance to cross-functional teams and internal business partners in order to effectively deliver technology initiatives and ensuring both quality and objectives are met throughout various assigned projects. Each day will be unique, requiring an ability to prioritize, multitask, think strategically, take initiative, and employ a diverse set of skills. Above all, you’ll have a direct hand in delivering tools that enable your business partners to be most successful in driving the organization forward and meeting their day-to-day goals.

WHO YOU ARE

• Knowledgeable. Your background includes a combination of business, QA and information technology, which you’ve built through both educational and professional experiences.  You’re comfortable with information gathering, data collection, and data analysis, in addition to problem-solving with a customer focus in mind.  You also have a strong command in designing and maintaining automated and manual test plans. Without a doubt, you’ve got strong analytical and QA skills and you know how to apply them accordingly across a variety of data-related activities.
• Technologically Savvy.  You’re comfortable working with relational database concepts and have a knack for quickly mastering new software. You are also experienced in testing with automation tools and testing suites.  In other words, technology is one of your closest friends!
• Business Liaison. When it comes to integrating business process with systems you enjoy being the conduit with your business partners to lead the project execution and train affected users. You work closely with business partners to gather needs systematically, review viable solutions, test new functionality along the way, and track post-implementation results. Data helps you schedule work, implement agreed-upon changes, and complete assigned projects timely.
• Problem Solver. Your previous experience has increased your understanding of data relationships, which has influenced your ability to identify relevant trends and effectively summarize possible solutions.  As a result, you are often the go-to when it comes to translating business needs into functional and technical requirements for development staff.
• Strong Communicator. Your writing and speaking skills are clear, articulate, and effective, demonstrating your ability to interact with all levels and various teams within the organization and be understood.  In addition, you’re skilled in compiling and delivering presentations that help to coordinate efforts between business partners and IT.  By delivering clear communication, you help to ensure that projects stay on time, deliverables meet budget, and key stakeholders are aware of project statuses.
• Organized, Efficient, and Accountable. You multitask well, re-prioritize accordingly, and meet deadlines consistently. You have a keen eye for detail and pride yourself on delivering quality work.  Above all, you are flexible and able to juggle the needs of changing priorities of the business. In other words, you handle pressure well and do so with confidence!
• Passionate. Motivated. Eager to Learn.  You are resourceful, ask smart questions, challenge the status quo, and regularly seek to understand. You invest extra energy to reach your goals. And when a special project arises, you volunteer!
• Maintain confidentiality.  The ability to work with confidential information, while using discretion, is crucial to this position.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Analyze and document functional and technical requirements for projects and software customizations or configurations, and you will work hand in hand with the development team to translate requirements into deliverables.
• Data mapping and gap analysis for new software integrations and configurations
• Implement and manage standard testing procedures for system changes, which will include creating, reviewing, executing, automating, and tracking test plans and results.  You will also be responsible for validating testing procedures to ensure they meet both business and technical requirements.
• Write SQL statements and assess database stored procedures in order to analyze and compare datasets, looking for trends, issues, or areas for improvement
• Participate in acquisition activities as new properties are folded into the Equity Residential portfolio.  This includes gathering, formatting, loading, and auditing acquired business data.
• Provide assistance to IT Support team by reviewing issues reported from end users, determining and reconciling discrepancies, solving for the root cause of errors, and establishing procedures to correct them.

• Bachelor's degree required, with an emphasis in business or information technology preferred; 3+ years relevant business analysis and/or quality control work experience required.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving capabilities, as well as QA process management experience.
• Solid experience with all phases of software testing required, including test planning, functional testing, and regression testing. Must demonstrate proficiency with utilizing solution lifecycle and testing methodologies.
• Experience testing all layers of a web application — including front-end, service layer, and back-end testing, as well as experience testing mobile applications (native, hybrid and mobile web apps).
• Demonstrated proficiency with Browserstack, Azure DevOps, Microsoft App Center, Selenium, Appium, Telerik Test Studio, QuickBase, ServiceNow preferred. Experience with Property Management Software solutions is also preferred — specifically multifamily product offerings such as MRI.
• Proven strong work ethic, ability to make decisions, and adaptable to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment, without sacrificing quality of work product. Detail-oriented and well-organized, with an exceptional ability to multitask.
• Team player who demonstrates flexibility and the ability to integrate and work well with others.
• Strong communication and presentation skills – able to speak and write in a clear and articulate manner.
• Motivation to succeed with the capacity to assume increasing responsibility.

We recognize everyone has different needs outside of work. That’s why, in addition to a competitive benefits package (medical, dental, vision and paid time off), we offer many unique options to employees, like adoption benefits and paid time off for community service projects. To learn more, view our Total Wellbeing page here.