Business Analyst (Payments / Settlement Operations) - SGA Inc.

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Business Analyst for a CONTRACT assignment with one of our premier Financial Services clients in lower Manhattan, NY . Hybrid schedule

Purpose
We are seeking a Business Systems Analyst with expertise in FX and Derivative Settlement Operations within in Confirmations and Settlement Operations. The incumbent will be responsible for delivering on all tasks associated with the program and ensure proper documentation of artifacts, requirements, solutions are executed/delivered in support of the team's business strategies and objectives. The ideal candidate will have strong experience eliciting and documenting business requirements within the financial services sector, ensuring alignment with industry standards and regulations.

Accountabilities:
• Champion a customer-focused culture to deepen client relationships and leverage broader Bank relationships, systems, and knowledge.
• Supervise day-to-day operational activities, including verification of daily settlements, cash control functions, investigation of settlement issues, and involvement with related projects.
• Effectively support, communicate with, and maintain excellent working relations with front office, clients, technology, and other stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely processes.
• Provide accurate and informative analysis to management.
• Act as the first point of contact for client escalations.
• Consistently seek opportunities for process improvements to maximize efficiencies.
• Understand how the Bank's risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.
• Actively pursue effective and efficient operations while ensuring adherence to business controls to meet obligations related to operational risk, regulatory compliance risk, AML/ATF risk, and conduct risks
Key Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with business and technology teams to analyze and document requirements for multiple payment systems, ensuring stakeholder alignment and senior management buy in.
• Conduct gap analysis of current payment systems against project objectives and industry standards (e.g., ISO 20022).
• Develop detailed business and technical requirement documents, use cases, and process flows using an array of tools including but not limited to VISIO, MS Office Suite, Sharepoint & PowerBI as required
• Work closely with project managers, developers, and QA teams to ensure successful implementation of solutions.
• Act as a liaison between stakeholders to gather feedback, resolve issues, and align priorities.
• Ensure compliance with international payment regulations and industry best practices.
• Own and drive testing efforts by defining test cases, validating outcomes, and facilitating user acceptance testing (UAT) through coordination with BAU teams and ensure effective collaboration.
• Create and maintain project artifacts, including user stories, functional specifications, and workflow diagrams.
Required Qualifications:
• 5+ years of experience as a Business Systems Analyst in financial services, with a focus on payments and/or money transfer projects.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 20022 messaging standards and its implications for payment systems.
• Strong understanding of payments modernization initiatives, including real-time payments, digital payment ecosystems, and related technologies.
• Experience with cross-border and international payment systems, including SWIFT and other payment networks.
• Proficiency in creating detailed documentation, including functional specifications, process flows, and use cases.
• Proficiency with applications used by the FX Operations team (e.g., Wallstreet, FXALL, MISYS, GTSS, Bloomberg) with an understanding of FX products supported (e.g., Cash trades, SPOT trades, FX Forwards, Swaps) as well as Derivatives products(e.g. Cross Currency Swap, Single Currency Swap, Credit Default Swap, Inflation Swap, Total Return Swap, Forward Rate Agreement, Forex, FX Options, FX Commodity Options, Equity Options, Loans, Deposits, Swaption, Single Currency Extend, Single Currency Call, Cap, Floor, FX Strip).
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with payment infrastructure modernization projects within Canada or other major markets.
• Knowledge of compliance and risk considerations for cross-border payments (e.g., anti-money laundering, KYC).
• Hands-on experience with tools such as JIRA, Confluence, Visio, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
Soft Skills:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at https://sgainc.com/ .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company EEO page to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.