Senior Business Analyst

What You Can Expect

The Senior Business Analyst is responsible for improving the systems and business processes that support the BAO’s regulatory work. Working across the organization and closely with IT, this position helps turn business needs into practical solutions that improve how information is captured, processes are managed and services are delivered.

The position plays an important role in supporting the BAO’s public-interest mandate by strengthening the systems, data and processes used to support regulatory operations and informed decision-making. This includes ongoing improvements to our Microsoft Dynamics 365-based CRM and other business systems, as well as opportunities to make better use of automation and emerging technology.

What You'll Do

Business Analysis and Process Improvement

• Partner with business areas to understand strategic objectives, operational challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the gathering, analysis, documentation and validation of business and system requirements.
• Translate business needs into clear functional and non-functional requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, process maps and workflows.
• Facilitate workshops, interviews and stakeholder consultations.
• Assess current-state processes and design practical future-state solutions that reduce duplication, manual work and operational risk.
• Identify opportunities to improve or automate processes through technology, data and workflow changes.
• Develop business cases, options analyses, recommendations and cost-benefit assessments.
• Evaluate business impacts, dependencies, risks and constraints associated with proposed changes.

Business Systems and Applications

• Serve as a subject matter expert for the BAO’s CRM and other enterprise applications, working closely with the Business Systems Analyst and Solution Architect.
• Lead business analysis activities for the next phase of CRM enhancements and other system improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve system functionality, usability, integration, workflows and data quality.
• Support the full system lifecycle, from needs assessment and solution evaluation through implementation and post-implementation review.
• Analyze system issues to identify underlying business, process, configuration or data-related causes.
• Maintain requirements, workflows, business rules and other system documentation.
• Support clear system ownership by documenting business owners, dependencies, risks, criticality and operational requirements.
• Ensure proposed solutions align with organizational architecture, security, privacy and technology standards

Project Intake and Portfolio Planning

• Lead the development and ongoing operation of the BAO’s technology intake and project portfolio processes.
• Assess proposed initiatives based on business value, strategic alignment, regulatory requirements, risk, effort, dependencies and available capacity.
• Work with business leaders and IT to clarify expected outcomes, requirements, timelines and resource implications.
• Maintain accurate portfolio information to support prioritization and decision-making.
• Identify competing priorities, resource constraints and dependencies across initiatives.
• Prepare analysis and recommendations for IT leadership and governance committees.
• Support capacity planning and the realistic sequencing of technology and business improvement initiatives.

Data, AI and Digital Transformation

• Define business requirements related to data capture, reporting, information availability and system functionality.
• Support data governance by helping establish business rules, ownership, accountability and information requirements.
• Identify system, process and data dependencies that could affect the accuracy or usability of information.
• Assess opportunities to use AI, automation, integration and other digital technologies to improve processes and service delivery.
• Develop requirements, use cases, expected benefits and success measures for approved AI and automation initiatives.
• Work with technical stakeholders to ensure proposed solutions are practical, secure and aligned with the BAO’s technology environment.
• Help evaluate whether technology investments are achieving their intended business outcomes.

Testing and Implementation

• Develop business-focused test plans, test cases, scripts and acceptance criteria.
• Lead or coordinate user acceptance testing with business stakeholders.
• Track and support the resolution of defects and requirements issues.
• Confirm that system changes meet approved business requirements and expected outcomes.
• Support implementation planning, release readiness and operational transition activities.
• Identify implementation risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews and identify further improvement opportunities.

Stakeholder, Vendor and Governance Support

• Build productive working relationships with business leaders, subject matter experts, technology teams and external service providers.
• Facilitate discussions between business and technical teams to clarify requirements and resolve issues.
• Coordinate with vendors on solution options, deliverables, enhancements and defects.
• Review vendor recommendations and deliverables against documented requirements and BAO expectations.
• Ensure important business and system knowledge is retained and documented internally.
• Incorporate applicable regulatory, privacy, security, records management and policy requirements into business analysis activities.
• Identify technology, process and operational risks and recommend appropriate controls or mitigation strategies.
• Support the continued development of business systems governance, standards and processes.

What You Bring to the Role

• Post-secondary education in Business Administration, Business Analysis, Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology or a related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in business analysis, business systems analysis, business process improvement, technology consulting or a related field.
• CBAP, CCBA, PMI-PBA, or complementary training or certification in project management, Agile, ITIL, process improvement, data analytics or change management is an asset.

• Demonstrated experience gathering, analyzing and translating business needs into functional and non-functional requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, process maps and workflows.
• Experience working with enterprise applications or CRM platforms, with Microsoft Dynamics 365 experience required.
• Strong understanding of business process analysis and improvement, including current-state and future-state mapping, root-cause analysis, workflow redesign and automation opportunities.
• Experience supporting technology implementations and system enhancements through requirements, solution design, user acceptance testing, implementation and post-implementation review.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess options, dependencies, risks and business impacts and develop practical recommendations.
• Skilled at facilitating workshops and working with business leaders, subject matter experts, technical teams, developers and external vendors to move complex initiatives forward.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate between business and technical audiences and present complex information clearly.
• Experience developing business cases, options analyses, recommendations or other decision-support materials.
• Understanding of data quality, data governance, privacy, information security and technology risk.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365. Experience with Microsoft Power Platform, Power BI, SQL or related business technology tools is required.
• Experience working in a regulatory, public-sector or similarly complex environment is an asset.

Physical/Sensory Demands

• Work is primarily computer-based and requires extended periods of sitting and working with digital systems and documentation.
• Sustained visual concentration and attention to detail are required when reviewing business requirements, processes, system configurations, data and technical documentation.
• Regular participation in meetings, workshops, testing sessions and presentations requires sustained concentration and active engagement.
• Work may involve managing several concurrent initiatives and shifting between detailed analysis and broader organizational priorities.

Working Conditions/Environment

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and remote environment, with employees expected to work on-site three days per week.
• The role involves regular collaboration with business leaders, subject matter experts, IT professionals, external vendors and other stakeholders.
• Work may involve competing priorities, project deadlines, system issues and changing business requirements requiring sound judgment and adaptability.
• Occasional work outside regular business hours may be required to support system implementations, testing, deployments or other time-sensitive technology initiatives.
• Occasional travel may be required for meetings, training or other business purposes.

About the BAO 

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is a government delegated authority and not-for-profit corporation administering provisions of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA). Accountable to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement and the government, the BAO is responsible for the protection of the public interest. The BAO regulates, ensures compliance with the law, provides resources and services to licensed:

• Funeral establishment operators, directors and preplanners;
• Cemetery, crematorium and alternative disposition operators;
• Transfer service operators; and
• Bereavement sector sales representatives across Ontario.

The BAO is wholly funded by licensee fees (not tax dollars).

Why Choose the BAO?

Hybrid Work: Enjoy a hybrid work schedule.

Comprehensive Personal Time Off: We advocate the importance of down-time and personal well-being, as demonstrated by our paid time off policies.

Wellness & Health Support: Take advantage of our extensive range of health benefits designed to prioritize both your physical and mental well-being.

Professional Development: Get assistance for continuous education and professional development to drive your career growth.

RRSP: Help build a secure financial future through our employer matched RRSP contribution plan.

The BAO offers an inclusive work environment, flexible work hours, and a competitive compensation and benefits package. The BAO is an equal opportunity employer and committed to fostering an accessible and inclusive environment for employees and licensees. If you require any accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, or accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please let our HR department know and we will work with you to meet your needs.