IT Business Analyst

IT Business AnalystAs we continue to grow our Baird technology team, we are currently seeking an IT Business Analyst for our Milwaukee office. The BA will support a diverse portfolio of initiatives for our Fixed Income Capital Markets (FICM) business. This role will require a business analyst who brings curiosity, creativity, and the judgment to operate effectively in a complex and fast-moving environment.The Business Analyst will function as a key partner between business and technology, translating evolving business needs into clear outcomes and actionable direction for delivery teams.

Over time, this individual is expected to develop deep domain expertise and serve as a trusted business proxy, helping teams make informed decisions and maintain momentum even when direct business input is limited. In addition to delivery execution, this role will play an important part in strengthening team culture and continuous improvement in how we work.The position requires working from our Milwaukee office a minimum of 3 days per week.The Impact You'll MakeBusiness Analysis & Delivery LeadershipDrive business analysis efforts across a wide range of initiatives, including new capabilities, platform enhancements, operational improvements, and data/reporting solutionsPlan and execute discovery activities for complex initiatives, identifying stakeholders, clarifying objectives, and helping clearly articulate success measures in environments with evolving or incomplete informationTranslate business needs into high-quality artifacts such as documented business requirements, process flows, context diagrams, stakeholder maps, and user stories that enable efficient delivery and clear decision-makingMaintain focus on outcomes and value, ensuring day-to-day work remains aligned to business priorities and strategic intentAssess initiative complexity and guide teams in selecting and applying appropriate delivery approaches, balancing structure with flexibility to deliver value efficientlyLead requirements validation and acceptance to ensure delivered solutions meet intended business outcomesBusiness Partnership & Domain ExpertiseDemonstrate strong curiosity and ownership in learning the Fixed Income Trading & Public Finance businesses, building a deep understanding of end-to-end workflows and client impacts over timeFunction as a trusted partner and effective business proxy when appropriate, developing informed perspectives and making well-reasoned decisions to keep delivery moving when direct business input is not immediately availableProactively anticipate business questions, surface implications of decisions, and communicate impacts clearly across stakeholdersCommunication, Influence & Stakeholder AlignmentCommunicate effectively across a wide range of audiences, including senior business leaders, IT leadership, revenue producers, developers, and external partnersTailor messaging to the audience, providing concise, outcome-focused narratives for executives and detailed context for delivery teamsBuild trust and credibility quickly through preparation, follow-through, and sound judgmentFacilitate discussions and resolve misalignment across stakeholders, escalating when appropriate and with clear rationaleDemonstrate the courage to speak up when business partners or teammates may be deviating from agreed-upon goals, priorities, or intended outcomesHelp facilitate solution discussions with architects, engineers, and product partners to evaluate options, clarify tradeoffs, and ensure business intent is clearly and accurately reflected in technical designsBe familiar with and able to advise business partners on development best practicesTeam Leadership & Culture BuildingOver time, provide strong day-to-day leadership within delivery teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvementContribute to the evolution of team and portfolio practices by sharing lessons learned, improving analysis approaches, and strengthening agile and delivery practicesModel a "hungry, humble, and smart" mindset, bringing energy and ownership to the work, remaining open to feedback, and demonstrating empathy and emotional intelligence in all interactionsServe as a role model and engaged member of the Business Analysis community, helping shape standards, approaches, and development of business analysis capability across ITAdaptability & Comfort with AmbiguityOperate effectively in environments without a defined playbook, adapting approaches to fit the initiative and contextIdentify priorities, clarify unknowns, and propose practical next steps even when information is incomplete or requirements are still emergingWhat You'll Bring to Baird:Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, Business Administration, Finance, or equivalent experience5+ years of professional experience, including 3+ years in Business AnalysisDiverse project experience across multiple initiative types and business domains; financial services experience preferred (Fixed Income experience a plus but not required)Experience with SQL, Power BI, or other data visualization tools, a plusExperience with Salesforce, including requirements gathering or configuration support on implementations, a plusDemonstrated ability to quickly learn and deeply understand new business areas, translating complexity into clarity for diverse audiencesProven experience working in agile or iterative delivery environments, with a solid understanding of agile principles and team practicesExceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skillsHigh degree of self-motivation, resilience, and emotional intelligence; comfortable receiving and applying feedbackDemonstrated curiosity and experience with AI tools to enhance business analysis, delivery efficiency, or decision-making workflows. (e.g.

M365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, Claude, ChatGPT, Snowflake Cortex, etc.)Relevant professional certifications are a plus but not required. We prioritize demonstrated skills, experience, and impact over credentials, and we support continued professional development as part of the role. (e.g.

CBAP, IIBA-AAC, PMI-PBA, PMI-ACP, CSM, CSPO, etc.)Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.