Business Analyst

The Business Analyst is responsible for a full range of activities which ensure the successful delivery of IT, regulatory and business change projects to the CNA Hardy business. The holder of this job profile is committed to excellence in the delivery of business analysis artefacts and the provision of business analysis services. They are expected to become a functional expert on a range of processes and applications used within the organisation, whether developed internally or by third party vendors.

Typically work is delivered as part of assignments to projects being delivered by the Transformation & Projects team, potentially in conjunction with one or more third party vendors. Additionally, you may also be required to assist with small projects, and with normal and standard releases for a range of applications, in co-ordination with internal and/or external teams as appropriate.

Specific tasks require such skills as facilitation, influencing, planning, logical thinking, requirements gathering, prioritisation, initiative taking, multi-tasking, problem analysis, solution design, and test planning, all in combination with superb written and oral communication skills. The scope of the role encompasses all CNA Hardy European offices and may require occasional travel to these offices.

• Analysis of business problems and requirements and their translation into structured documentation suitable for use by 3rd parties or internal development teams.
• Challenge proposed solutions to ensure that they fit within CNA Hardy’s strategy and appetite for risk, solving genuine problems that deliver enhanced business value.
• Breakdown and explain complex concepts to senior stakeholders.
• Produce cost/benefit analyses.
• Apply appropriate tools and methodologies to document, analyse and maintain traceability of business requirements.
• Proactively identify and resolve business process and IT issues.
• Identify and analyse existing ‘business as usual’ inefficiencies.
• Liaise between the business, IT and external parties.
• Adhere to and champion analysis best practices.
• Coordinate user involvement at all stages of the business change cycle, from initial problem analysis through to user acceptance testing, warranty period and beyond.
• Work with Service Management to ensure that change initiatives transition smoothly into the live environment, with all appropriate documentation and business as usual processes in place.
• Work with internal or external development teams to ensure that deliverables are of excellent quality and within the scope of the appropriate change initiative.
• Work with Project and/or Programme Management to ensure that change initiatives remain on scope and tightly focused, to time and budget, delivering measurable business benefit through the controlled implementation of business change.
• Prepare and present training materials through the use of methods appropriate to the audience.
• Assist and support the business with new systems/processes as a result of project delivery.
• Manage your own time and workload in line with project plans.
• Update management on the progress of owned tasks.
• Escalate issues as appropriate.
• Manage assigned risks and issues.
• Adhere to change, project, and analysis standards defined by CNA Hardy’s management functions.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Projects Delivery Manager or CNA Hardy management.

• Circa 4 years solid, commercial business analysis experience, preferably gained in financial services or insurance.
• Relevant Business Analysis qualifications desirable.
• A demonstrable record of the delivery of business and technology change.
• Experience of delivering technology-based change in both waterfall and agile environments.
• Knowledge of technology solutions specifically related to the insurance business, e.g. underwriting or claims platforms.
• Experience of working within a business analysis environment and be able to demonstrate a dedication to delivery of excellence in the field of change.
• Ability to work independently with users to define requirements or under the direction of Project Managers. Capable of prioritising and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical skills, including a thorough understanding of how to interpret customer business needs and translate them into structured documentation suitable for use at all organisational levels.
• Ability to analyse and solve problems quickly and effectively while obtaining consensus to the proposed solutions.
• Good matrix management skills and ability to balance competing priorities in time sensitive situations.
• Exposure to a variety of business analysis and project management methodologies.
• Experience of the full software development lifecycle, gained over multiple assignments to a variety of change programmes.
• Able to foster working relationships within the team, client departments, and 3rd parties.
• Solid interpersonal, consultative and communication skills. Ability to interact effectively at all levels with clients, consultants, vendors, peers, and IT management and staff.
• Comfortable presenting to large audiences.
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and other business productivity systems.
• Exposure to a variety of business application systems such as finance, ERP, transaction/data processing, document management, workflow, data warehouses/marts.
• Basic SQL skills and an understanding of relational databases.
• Must be able to travel to European offices on occasion and have a flexible approach to working hours to meet business requirements.

CNA Hardy is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets. We offer a highly specialised and comprehensive portfolio of innovative and market leading products. Coverage is available to businesses of all sizes for domestic, international and global exposures.