Business Systems Manager (Business Analyst III)

About the Role

The Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI) seeks an experienced, innovative, and collaborative business analyst to lead the department’s deployment and use of information technology resources. This includes serving as lead project manager for department-wide IT-related projects, determining and evaluating new technology needs and solutions, overseeing IT procurement and contracts, and serving as primary Agency Information Security Coordinator (AISC) and back-up Agency Applications Coordinator (AACA) for the department.

The Department of Economic Initiatives develops programs and policy recommendations to foster local economic development and position Fairfax County as an economically competitive and prosperous community. The department is structured into four divisions; this position is within the Operations Division, which supports the Catalytic Real Estate, Small and Local Business, and Economic Innovation and Strategy divisions.

Responsibilities

• Plans and executes information technology projects for DEI, including but not limited to gathering user requirements, updating timelines, writing scopes of work, and monitoring vendor and project deliverables.
• Researches and recommends enhancements and process changes related to DEI business operations.
• Supports and develops solutions to complex business problems using a combination of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom technical tools such as SharePoint, Microsoft Power Platform, Drupal, and others.
• Serves as the lead system administrator for agency business systems.
• Supports and develops reports and dashboards using tools such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Power BI to facilitate data-driven decision-making within the agency.
• Manages agency information technology-related contracts and relationships with vendors providing IT solutions.
• Evaluates and prioritizes requests for new requirements, modifications, and enhancements to existing systems, including technology for applicability and enhanced effectiveness.
• Leads development of funding proposals for information technology resources, including county budget submissions, grant proposals, and contracts.
• Develops agency technical documentation, including but not limited to standard operating procedures (SOPs), user guides, and system manuals.
• Provides general IT support to agency staff and coordinates with the county’s main Department of Information Technology (DIT) as necessary.
• Serves as the primary Agency Information Security Coordinator (AISC), ensuring security and privacy of agency data and systems. Liaises with the county Information Security Office (ISO) on all information security-related issues.
• Manages DEI IT equipment inventory, procurements, and works with DIT to maintain and replace equipment.
• Serves as lead software system administrator for interdepartmental or county-wide automated systems.
• Works closely with technical project leaders to coordinate technical resources and directs functional design and implementation.
• Interacts with representatives from other agencies on system-related issues and scheduling of system priorities.
• Identifies and tests system enhancements.
• Defines and maintains system administration documentation.
• Organizes and directs system user groups.
• Monitors system performance and performs ongoing analysis to determine the most efficient and effective means to operate the system.
• Provides assistance to system users.
• Develops conceptual approaches to satisfy user requirements.
• Oversees user acceptance testing.
• Evaluates new technology for applicability and enhanced effectiveness.
• Develops strategic plans to ensure solutions comply with established standards.
• Establishes priorities and timetables for system-related projects.
• May supervise other employees on a recurring or project basis.
• Generates reports to meet special agency needs.
• Acts as intermediary between users and technical staff to resolve problems.
• Participates in developing user training manuals.
• Provides training to users.
• Works closely with agency IT technical staff and/or serves as agency liaison with the Department of Information Technology.
• Develops and provides technical briefings for staff on new services and system components.
• Provides technical support and training to users of installed software.
• Attends training workshops, product demonstrations, conferences, technical briefings, and conventions.
• Stays abreast of technology changes.
• Provides assistance to other staff as needed.
• Serves on committees and task forces and undertakes special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, or a field related to the department where the IT services are being used.
• Four years of experience analyzing business processes and/or developing/maintaining the main business system, technical platform, or a related system.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of the capabilities of information technology software, hardware, and network communication technology.
• Considerable knowledge of the capabilities of various computer platforms functioning in centralized, distributed, client-server, and stand-alone environments.
• Experience analyzing and improving business processes and system workflows.
• Experience preparing documentation for system development, including user requirements, design specifications, testing plans, and implementation strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to discover, validate, and assess customer needs and architect solutions.
• Understanding of both technical and business components and coordination of multi-agency initiatives.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and end users.
• Experience with technical tools to support operations, including SharePoint, Power Platform, Drupal, and others.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of interdepartmental and/or county-wide processes, procedures, and requirements with regard to administrative functions such as personnel, finance, and budgeting.
• Considerable knowledge of effective processes, methods, and techniques to analyze and evaluate business operations.
• Knowledge of effective project management methods, practices, and techniques.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory methods, practices, and techniques (required for some positions).
• Ability to analyze and evaluate administrative processes and procedures for automation purposes.
• Ability to conduct research into new information technology.
• Ability to train employees in the use of hardware and software.
• Ability to prepare user manuals.
• Ability to translate technical terminology into terms understandable to management and employees.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective business relationships.

Physical Requirements

• Duties are generally sedentary, performed in a normal office environment.
• Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
• All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.