Senior Business Systems Analyst

Posting date: January 22, 2026

002177SR

1. Job Type: Full-time
2. Location: Cambridge
3. School/Unit: Harvard University Central Administration
4. Department: Harvard University Information Technology
5. Salary Grade: 058
6. Job Function: Information Technology
7. FLSA Status: Exempt
8. Term Appointment: No
9. Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you!

Reporting to the Senior Product Owner on the Research Administration and Compliance Systems team, the Senior Business Systems Analyst (SBSA) supports the service delivery of university-wide systems, solutions, and services with a focus on the research administration, research compliance, and research management. This role is focused on the Grants Management Applications Suite (GMAS) and will work with a team to design, develop, test, and implement enhancements and upgrades to modules and provide ongoing support.

The SBSA works closely with the user community, fellow team members, and technical partners to design, test, implement, and validate solutions to support ongoing and emerging needs.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Facilitate communication with end-users, convert complex business requirements into technical specifications, participate in the software development lifecycle, and ensure seamless solution delivery aligned with the organization's strategic objectives.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies, frameworks, and methodologies to keep Harvard's systems current and competitive.
• Draft systems specifications and designs detailing the logic, configuration, and security requirements to be implemented, and perform corresponding configuration steps.
• Meet with business partners to understand and document system needs, identify workflows, and propose solutions.
• Identify change management requirements, assist in the development of training materials, end user communications, and marketing materials.
• Design, develop, and test Harvard-specific software customizations and reports, and develop, and test Harvard-specific software customizations and reports.
• Conduct gap analysis and testing GMAS changes.
• Develop application enhancements and test plans and test system functionality to ensure new products, enhancements, bug fixes, and patches have correctly identified problems without introducing regression issues.
• Log, track, and follow bugs through the development life cycle.
• Manual and automated testing.
• Create presentations and present at user group and stakeholder meetings. Assist in planning and conducting user group meetings.
• Coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT) including developing test plans, coordinating user participation, and follow up on bugs or issues raised during UAT.
• Lead and participate in daily operational support of applications, including help desk inquiry response, guidance material updates and user consultation/assistance.
• Serve as a resource to senior management, product managers, and business systems analysts on areas of product and/or business expertise.
• Collaborate with business systems analysts, product managers, and vendor partners for production and reporting support for enterprise applications, including in-depth analysis, troubleshooting, researching and recommending resolution options to ensure systems remain operational and data integrity is upheld within applications.

More About HUIT:

Our Mission: huit.harvard.edu/about

We empower the Harvard community with essential and transformative technologies to advance education, knowledge, and discovery.

HUIT’s core values are:

• Human-centered
• University-focused
• Innovation-driven
• Team-oriented

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• 3+ years of experience in business analysis and/or software development.
• Strong problem solving, organizational, analytical, data analysis, interpersonal, and facilitation skills, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of research administration and research compliance business areas (example: conflict of interest, IRB/human subjects, etc.).
• Ability to synthesize business issues into technical solutions.
• Excellent relationship building skills, especially customer service skills and service mindset approach.
• Must understand basic fundamentals of iterative development, software development processes and procedures; understand incremental delivery and the value of metrics.
• Experience developing and executing tests including regression tests.
• Advanced desktop application skills including Excel, Word, MS Project, Access, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Proven ability to quickly assimilate to new technology and/or applications required.
• Familiarity with Huron Research Suite and/or proprietary tools and Atlassian tools (JIRA, Confluence) are a plus, and SQL and/or other data analysis tools and HTML and CSS are preferred.
• Hands-on experience with ERP, research administration systems, or student information systems preferred.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
• Other Information:
  Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.
  This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

#LI-BT1

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.