HR Business Intelligence Analyst I / Business Applications Analyst I

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); Remote; USD 73,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University is seeking an HR Business Intelligence Analyst I to support reporting and analytics across SAP, Cognos, QM4, and SQL-based environments. You will translate requirements, design functional specs, and help deploy dashboards that illuminate HR data and trends.

The role emphasizes end-user support, testing, and data quality, with a focus on enabling data-driven decisions and continuous improvement in HR reporting capabilities.

Qualifications

• Experience gathering business requirements and documenting functional specs.
• Experience performing functional testing, data validation, and issue resolution.
• Familiarity with SAP, Cognos, and SQL-based reporting environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience in large, complex enterprise environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to gather, analyze, and document HR reporting requirements.
• Translate business questions into functional specs and maintain FDS for reports and dashboards.
• Develop test plans, scenarios, and validation activities for reporting accuracy.
• Support development, testing, and deployment of reports across SAP, Cognos, QM4, and SQL environments.
• Contribute to design and enhancement of dashboards and data visualizations.
• Coordinate issue resolution with technical teams using Jira.
• Provide end-user support for reporting and troubleshooting.
• Assist with report security, access management, and scheduled reporting processes.
• Develop user guides and training materials to improve adoption.
• Support ad hoc reporting requests to inform decisions.
• Assist with transition to SAP-based reporting and adoption of new tools.
• Contribute to process improvements in reporting intake, testing, and deployment.

Skills

Requirements gathering

Functional specifications

SQL queries

SAP HR/HCM

Cognos reporting

Data validation

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/BI or related field

Tools

Cognos BI

SQL

SAP

Job description

Working/Functional Title

HR Business Intelligence Analyst I

Position Summary

Michigan State University is seeking a skilled HR Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst to support the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of HR reporting and analytics solutions that enable informed decision-making across MSU. Working collaboratively with stakeholders, the analyst gathers and translates business requirements, supports report and dashboard development and testing, provides end-user support, and helps ensure data is accessible, accurate, and meaningful. This role contributes to the effective use of HR data by combining business process knowledge, analytical thinking, customer service, and continuous improvement to advance the university's reporting and analytics capabilities.

The position will also support MSU HR's continued transition to SAP-based reporting and modern business intelligence capabilities by helping define reporting needs, support new reporting solutions, and assist stakeholders in effectively using new tools and processes.

Note: To support a broad candidate pool, this position is being posted at two classification levels. One candidate will be selected and hired into the level that best matches their experience and qualifications. To be considered for both levels, applicants must submit an application to each posting separately.

Salary

The salary range for this position is fixed at $73,000-80,000. Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience within this range.

Remote Work Capability

This position is based in East Lansing, Michigan, on the campus of Michigan State University. Human Resources embraces flexible work options, and this position will be fully remote.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with stakeholders to gather, analyze, and document business requirements for HR reporting and analytics solutions.
• Translate business questions into functional specifications and maintain detailed Functional Design Specifications (FDS) to support report and dashboard development.
• Develop and execute test plans, test scenarios, and validation activities to ensure reporting accuracy and alignment with business requirements.
• Support the development, testing, and deployment of reports, dashboards, and analytics solutions across SAP, Cognos, QM4, and SQL-based reporting environments.
• Contribute to the design and enhancement of reporting dashboards and data visualizations that help stakeholders understand HR data, trends, and key performance indicators.
• Identify, document, and coordinate resolution of reporting issues and defects in partnership with technical teams using Jira.
• Serve as a primary resource for reporting-related questions, service requests, and troubleshooting support for end users.
• Assist with reporting administration activities, including report security, access management, and scheduled reporting processes.
• Develop user guides, training materials, and documentation that improve reporting adoption and user effectiveness.
• Support ad hoc reporting requests and help stakeholders access meaningful data to inform operational and strategic decisions.
• Support the transition to SAP-based reporting by helping stakeholders understand reporting capabilities and assisting with the implementation and adoption of new reporting solutions.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance reporting intake, testing, documentation, and deployment practices.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience gathering business requirements, documenting functional specifications, and supporting reporting or business application solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform functional testing, validate data, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate solution implementation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with enterprise reporting tools, data systems, SQL, SAP, Cognos, or similar business intelligence platforms.
• Commitment to customer service, continuous improvement, and delivering accurate, user-focused reporting solutions.

Why Join Us

• Help advance data-informed decision-making by delivering reporting and analytics solutions, including dashboards and data visualizations, that support HR operations and university priorities.
• Build valuable experience at the intersection of human resources, business intelligence, technology, and process improvement within a complex enterprise environment.
• Join a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and service excellence.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree business, management information systems, human resources, data analytics, or a related field; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience analyzing business processes or data, performing validation and reconciliation, documenting findings, testing system changes, and assisting with the resolution of data quality or system issues; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with SAP, particularly SAP HR/HCM data, reporting, or business processes.
• Familiarity with HR data structures and business processes, including Personnel Administration, Organizational Management, Payroll, Benefits, Time, and related HR functions.
• Experience designing or supporting reporting dashboards and data visualizations, including predictive and prescriptive analytics.
• Experience translating business questions into reporting requirements, metrics or data visualizations.
• Experience developing Functional Design Specifications (FDS).
• Experience developing and executing structured test scenarios.
• Experience using TDX or similar service management platforms.
• Experience using Jira for defect tracking or issue management.
• Familiarity with SAP or Cognos reporting environments.
• Experience writing SQL queries for validation or testing.
• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Experience in higher education or complex enterprise environments.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and Cover Letter

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

hr.msu.edu

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding Eligibility ends October 13, 2026 at 11:55 PM