Applications Analyst

Description

The Applications Analyst serves as the primary liaison between IT and business units, ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of critical business applications. This individual contributor role combines technical expertise with business insight to support, enhance, and optimize applications, reporting, and vendor-delivered services. The analyst will manage vendor relationships, oversee application updates and configurations, develop dashboards and reports, and lead technology and process improvement initiatives. Acting as both Project Manager and Project Lead, this role drives innovation, supports cross-functional teams, and ensures accurate data, system integrity, and timely issue resolution - contributing directly to organizational efficiency and productivity. 

Requirements

  Core Values & Competencies

· Demonstrates initiative and problem-solving skills in providing services and support through vendor and user interactions.

· Collaborates effectively as a team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to manage time, priorities, and workflows while sharing knowledge in a professional way across all levels.

· Shows a willingness to learn and proactively seeks opportunities to expand technical expertise while staying current on emerging technologies.

· Possesses strong analytical and organizational skills, using insights and recommendations to drive efficiency and productivity.

Responsibilities

· Act as a subject matter expert and liaison between IT and business units. Provide training, onboarding, and ad hoc support for new systems and features.

· Develop and maintain dashboards and reports using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Excel.

· Participate in technology planning and budgeting. Recommend process improvements and automation opportunities.

· Install, configure, and deploy software and/or hardware as requested, securing necessary approvals as required.

· Gather requirements for new tools or enhancements, translating business needs into data specifications. Collaborate with vendors to deploy tools that enhance security and efficiency.

· Implement new technologies to improve reliability and effectiveness across the organization.

· Collaborate with management and cross-functional teams on projects, providing regular updates on status, research, and technical issues.

· Serve as the primary point of contact for business-critical applications and vendor issues.

· Lead software, hardware, and technology enhancement projects as both Project Manager and Project Lead.

· Create and maintain IT Department SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).

· Develop and manage vendor relationships, coordinate procurement, negotiate contracts, and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

· Oversee software updates, patches, and testing. Troubleshoot and resolve application issues.

· Maintain thorough documentation of systems, processes, and workflows.

· Document solutions, escalate incidents when necessary, and provide user workarounds in the interim.

· Create templates for user types and data security in dashboards and reporting. Manage system access and configurations while ensuring data accuracy and integrity.

· Oversee the service desk and ensure the Managed Service Provider (MSP) resolves tickets promptly.

Supervisory Responsibility

This is an individual contributor role with leadership responsibilities over IT operations and vendor relationships, but no direct staff management.

Travel

Minimal.

Work Environment 

This job operates in a professional office environment. This position routinely uses computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and other standard office equipment.

Physical Demands - The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

While performing these duties, the employee will primarily be in a sedentary role and regularly required to talk, hear, and see. The employee must sit, stand, walk, use hands for finger movements, and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally, the employee will need to lift equipment, stoop, bend, kneel, and stand. This role may involve lifting up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities are required by this job, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Additionally, some driving tasks are required, with mileage reimbursement provided. 

Preferred Education, Experience, and Qualifications

· Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, System Administration, or a closely related field, or equivalent vocational/technical training.

· Minimum five years of experience, with at least two years in analytical or technical support.

· Strong knowledge of:

    - Databases, Excel, Power BI (or Cognos), SQL, and data reporting methodologies.

    - Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft 365 and the included applications.

    - Systems and networking, software, hardware, and networking protocols.

    - All types of electronic devices.

    - Internet browsers: Edge, Firefox, and Chrome.

· Good knowledge of:

    - Telecommunications technology (cellphones and VIOP, Apple iOS).

    - VMware, Network, and domain configurations and AD management.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Salary : $75,000 - $95,000