eFinancialCareers

• Company

  Barclays Global Investors (US)

• Location

  USA-CA-San Francisco

• Remuneration

  to be determined

• Position Type

  Employee

• Employment type

  Full time

• Updated

  24 Jul 2008

• eFC Ref no

  432652

Provide business and data analysis support for BGI iProducts and Knowledge Management (KM) projects and initiatives. Working with Data Analysts, Product Managers, Product Developers, key data users and technology to deliver on key objectives and milestones.

Barclays Global Investors (BGI) is America's largest money manager, providing structured investment strategies such as indexing, risk-controlled active products, and exchange traded funds to investors worldwide. For 35 years, BGI has been at the forefront of developing innovative investment ideas, applying science and technology to the investment process. Headquartered in San Francisco and winning first place in the SF Business Times' ''Best Places to Work in the Bay Area 2008'' Awards (Large Companies category), the Barclays PLC subsidiary employs over 3,700 people globally and manages approximately $2 trillion in assets.

Provide business and data analysis support for BGI iProducts and Knowledge Management (KM) projects and initiatives. Working with Data Analysts, Product Managers, Product Developers, key data users and technology to deliver on key objectives and milestones. In addition, the ideal candidate will be a highly organized individual with proven capabilities to manage complex projects at both a detailed and broad picture level, as well as facilitate communication with a wide variety of participants and stakeholders.

70% Business Analysis 30% Project Management

Primary Responsibilities

Compile functional and non-functional index specifications based on business requirements – with consideration to data model, management, process, business rules, control, ownership and measurement of each function or task.

Work with KM Product Management to perform gap analysis with strategic and current infrastructures and data vendors. Compile data mapping documentation for new data vendors/services.

Act as primary interface between KM technology development/support groups and KM Data Operations, designing new data flows, functionality and user interfaces in both current and future state applications

Write test plans and test cases for new index feeds/functionality taking into account all inputs and outputs.

Administer and co-ordinate user testing, documenting results of test cases for sign-off by team leads and business heads.

Compile/enhance index business procedures and document new index process flows. Liaise with end user group and KM Product Management to ensure the hand-off points are clearly understood, confirmed and documented

Own integrity of data projects through project lifecycle; define project scope, facilitate productive meetings, facilitate building of quality operational and business requirements

Develop a detailed project plan that identifies all tasks that need to be completed in the project, milestones, solutions, corrective actions to problems or issues (this requires bringing the right people into the resolution process at the right time), anticipation of problems, and facilitation of scope management.

Facilitate cross-organizational communication, liaising with multiple business and technology groups, driving the coordination of KM iProducts projects from start to finish

Resolve project road blocks; proactively manage issues and risks related to the project.

Maintain a queue of small project work identifying monthly deliverables and status, used to provide transparency to clients, and make priority decisions

Provide regular, thorough status and metric reporting on projects

Qualifications

BA/BS in related field or equivalent

Prior BA experience with a complex technical product/service

3-5+ years of related Business Analyst, experience w/in the financial sector, prior experience working as a business data analysis a plus

Demonstrated track record of successfully managing changing demands and circumstances; capable of responding resourcefully to ambiguity.

Familiarity with index/benchmark data and relevant providers such as MSCI, S&P, FTSE, Lehman and Russell desired and/or basic knowledge of index fund structures

Demonstrated experience as a Project Manager in investment or finance industry

Prior experience with data mapping, process modeling and evaluating for best practices including, implementation of robust and scalable processes

Excellent working knowledge of market and index data – including understanding of interdependencies of core attributes and associated operational processes

Knowledge of key index vendor products, including understanding of feed formats

Excellent business analysis, communication and documentation skills

Previous experience multiple development methods – ideally Waterfall, RUP and/or Agile

Prior experience working on a global team a plus

Previous experience and success working in a highly matrixes, empowered environment

Proficient SQL scripting, excellent spreadsheet and strong MS office skills required

Key Attributes

Excellent communication and documentations skills. Communicate with business users in a language they understand, in an engaging manner that draws out their thoughts.

Maintain flexibility in approach and solutions to meet the changing needs of a fast-growing business.

Excellent organization skills; must be able to manage disparate tasks, project plans and ad-hoc teams without solid lines of authority

Ability to work within complex project, to establishing clear priorities in a deadline-driven culture and work well under pressure

Ability to apply knowledge in a practical framework

Self-directed, effective at prioritizing tasks, managing time, and organizing people, things

Strong analytical and problem solving capabilities.