A business analyst commonly reviews and analyzes key business metrics to devise plans for improvement, then communicates these findings and plans to key stakeholders in the organization. “Business analyst” is a large umbrella term with a lot of variability in the specifics, depending on the industry and the experience needed.
When hiring a business analyst, clear expectations are key for success. It is important to craft a thoughtfully designed, focused job description so applicants know what you are looking for. Explore well-written business analyst job description examples and learn how to draft your own job description to attract top candidates.
What Does a Business Analyst Do?
As the name implies, a business analyst analyzes businesses. However, there is a lot of nuance and detail in those two general words, and the position’s responsibilities extend beyond merely analyzing data.
While the specific functions of a business analyst vary depending on the size of the business and its industry, a business analyst generally reviews business operations, assesses evolving business ideas, liaises between groups and departments and communicates recommendations for improving business operations.
How To Write a Business Analyst Job Description
No matter where you post your job—whether that’s your company website, Indeed, LinkedIn or even Facebook—you’ll want to have a carefully crafted job description to attract the most qualified candidates.
In addition to the prerequisites for a job description, including the equal employment opportunities statement and job benefits, a business analyst job description should include details regarding the job responsibilities, requirements and necessary skills. The job description’s full details are often summarized in a one-page document that can be used in the recruiting process to attract candidates, define the role and establish its level of responsibility within the business.
Business Analyst Objectives
Regardless of the industry, the overall objectives of a business analyst are to review and analyze current and proposed business operations. Oftentimes, these professionals review financial statements, key performance indicators (KPIs) and other key metrics, then consider options for improvement. Business analysts assess the overall effectiveness of a business and its departments to devise solutions to problems.
Business Analyst Responsibilities
In your job description, you should clearly state the business analyst’s key responsibilities, along with any secondary responsibilities. Among the typical key responsibilities for a business analyst are:
- Identify and communicate with key stakeholders
- Gather, review and analyze business and industry data, including KPIs, financial reports and other key metrics using data analytics tools
- Liaise between various business departments and groups
- Assess options for process improvement, including business process modeling
- Maintain documentation regarding various projects, processes and operations
- Collaborate with project managers and cross-functional teams
Business Analyst Skills and Qualifications
Business analysts typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, business analytics management information systems or a related field. Business analysts specializing in specific industries such as engineering, technology, finance or healthcare may hold degrees related to those fields. Some employers prefer to hire analysts with M.B.A.s.
Some of the key skills for a business analyst include:
- Ability to effectively communicate and influence key stakeholders to support proposed strategies, process improvements and operational decisions
- Resourcefulness and creative problem solving skills
- Experience testing and mapping various business processes and protocols
- Familiarity with industry technology systems to gather data
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
Additional Information To Include in Your Job Description
You may also want to include salary information in your business analyst job description. In fact, some states and cities have wage transparency laws that require job posters to list salary rates. If you have employees in these areas or are filling a remote position that may have applicants from a jurisdiction with wage transparency laws, you must include salary information.
It is also helpful to include information about job benefits and some background information on your company. Finally, don’t forget to include the equal employment opportunity information as required by law.
Business Analyst Job Description Examples
To give you a better idea of the typical job descriptions for business analyst positions, we share the following examples from job postings on Indeed. The first example shows common responsibilities to include in a business analyst job description. The second example shows common skills and education for a business analyst, and the final example is a solid example of both responsibilities and qualifications. Each job description includes a salary estimate as well.
Technical Business Analyst at DriveCentric
The above job description for a technical business analyst relates to software analysis and includes several of the key functions of a business analyst, including the following responsibilities:
- Producing functional designs for tools used in the applicable group
- Analyzing the pertinent metrics and data
- Producing maps and models for proposed systems
- Communicating with internal and external stakeholders
- Analyzing information to assess functionality
Business Analyst at CBRE
The above example shows the applicable education and skills required for a business analyst position, including a bachelor’s degree. This particular job also prefers that candidates have a master’s degree as well as financial knowledge. Like most business analyst positions, this job description specifies that excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
Business Operations Analyst at Security Guard Company
The above example is a good representation of both the key responsibilities and qualifications for a business analyst. The employer is a security guard provider that is expanding operations. As a business operations analyst, the job requires analyzing the performance of various teams along with the development and implementation of plans and process improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About a Business Analyst’s Job Description
Is a business analyst an IT job?
A business analyst isn’t necessarily an IT professional, and business analysts work in a variety of industries. That said, many business analysts do perform some IT functions or have IT backgrounds, as they assess evolving technology and how it can be used to improve the business.
What are the three main roles of a business analyst?
The three key roles of a business analyst are to gather, review and analyze data regarding the business and its operations; prepare models and process maps for improvements; and communicate findings and suggestions to key stakeholders.
What is the average salary of a business analyst?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes business analysts in the broad category of management analysts, reporting a 2022 median annual salary of $95,290 for these professionals. As you can see in the examples shown above, annual salaries can range from about $50,000 to $140,000, depending on the industry and experience level.
