Business Analyst

Hastings Insurnace is looking for a Business Analyst to join its Central Business Operations (CBO) team! The Business Analyst's role is to elicit, analyze, specify, and validate the business needs of stakeholders. This includes interviewing stakeholders and gathering and compiling user requirements to understand the necessary technology solutions. The Business Analyst will also apply proven communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills to help the business make good technology decisions. The Business Analyst will be pivotal in ensuring that information technology understands business requirements.Position Location & Work FormatThis role is flexible in its location. Hastings will entertain candidates who reside within our five-state territory (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, or Illinois) to work in a remote capacity. Candidates who reside within the greater Hastings, MI area can work either a full-time onsite or hybrid work arrangement. Regardless of the location, this role will generally work within our standard office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Hastings may consider candidates who reside in states outside of our five-state territory if other elements of their application are strong.Position Duties & ResponsibilitiesCollaborates with project sponsors to determine project scope and vision. Conducts interviews to gather user requirements via workshops, questionnaires, surveys, site visits, workflow storyboards, use cases, scenarios, and other methods. Identifies and establishes scope and parameters of requirements analysis on a project-by-project basis to define project impact, outcome criteria, and metrics.Analyzes business processes and workflows and recommends improvements and automation opportunities.Determines how planned IT solutions will impact existing business processes and systems and coordinate their integration.Works with stakeholders and project team(s) to prioritize collected requirements.Analyzes and verifies requirements for completeness, consistency, comprehensibility, feasibility, and conformity to standards.Develops and utilizes standard templates to write requirements specifications accurately and concisely.Translates conceptual user requirements into functional requirements transparently and comprehensible to developers/project teams.Where applicable, develop prototypes of interfaces and attributes based on the user requirements.Creates process models, specifications, diagrams, and charts for review and to provide direction to developers and the project team.Develops and conducts peer reviews of the business requirements to ensure that requirement specifications are correctly interpreted.Assists with interpreting user requirements into feasible options and communicating back to the business stakeholders.Manages and tracks the status of requirements throughout the HI project lifecycle; enforces and redefines as necessary.Works with business and IT to groom backlog(s) and determine sprint priorities.Works with project stakeholders to manage, track, and prioritize defects.Communicates process changes, enhancements, and modifications of business requirements to management, peers, staff, and other employees so that issues and solutions are understood.Suggests changes using data to back recommendations.Supports system testing when needed to support or advance a project timeline.Actively participates in professional development, i.e., continuing education or self-improvement.Other duties as assigned by leadership, either verbally or in writing. Candidate Requirements & QualificationsA bachelor's degree or two years of equivalent work experience is required.One to three years minimum experience as a Business Analyst at a property/casualty insurance company is preferred.CBAP or CCBA certification preferred, or completion within one year of meeting the test eligibility requirements.Ability to create systematic and consistent requirements specifications in technical and user-friendly language.Knowledge of process mapping and business process reengineering.Understanding of application development and software development life cycle concepts.Ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.Demonstrated excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.Demonstrated excellent meeting facilitation skills.Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.Highly motivated, self-directed, logical, efficient, and keen attention to detail.Strong familiarity with project management software, such as Microsoft Project.Demonstrated PC skills, including proficient use of Microsoft Office products, including Visio.About UsAt Hastings Insurance, our balanced corporate strategy focuses on implementing emerging technologies, cultivating strong independent agency relationships, and providing the right products to our policyholders.We seek to strategically grow our product lines and continue to expand geographically while maintaining our financial stability and innovative nature.Our talented employees are dedicated to providing excellent customer service to our agent partners and policyholders. Many of our employees have been identified as industry experts, and we value the knowledge and skill that they contribute to our success.For more than 135 years, Hastings has helped our customers protect their valued assets and rebuild after devastating losses. We are proud to be rated an A (Excellent) insurance carrier by A.M. Best Company. Our Commitment as an EmployerWe value the strength of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Hastings Insurance is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and candidates in a work environment that does not tolerate discrimination or harassment. Decisions related to employment are based on business needs, position requirements, and individual characteristics without regard to appearance, nationality, origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, body, disability, veteran, family, marital status, or any legally protected class. Hastings Insurance seeks to provide reasonable accommodation to disabled individuals in the hiring process in compliance with federal, state, and local law. Candidates requiring accommodation to complete their job application or participate in the interviewing process are asked to notify the Talent Acquisition Specialist or contact us at 800-442-8277.