Junior Business Analyst - Data Focus

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 210,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Structured training program

Mentorship from seniors

Job summary

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg is seeking a Junior Business Analyst to join its data analytics team. This role is ideal for a recent graduate eager to kick-start a career in a dynamic financial services environment, offering on-site collaboration with remote flexibility.

You will learn to gather requirements, analyze data, build dashboards, and translate business needs into technical specs while receiving mentorship and structured training to accelerate your development.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate with degree in a quantitative field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with SQL is advantageous.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Internship or project experience in data analysis/BI is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist senior analysts in gathering and documenting business requirements.
• Perform data analysis to identify trends and insights for strategy.
• Develop reports and dashboards to visualize KPIs for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with development teams to translate needs into specs.
• Conduct UAT and provide feedback on system functionality.
• Support maintenance/improvement of data models and reports.
• Document progress, challenges, and resolutions meticulously.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to understand objectives.
• Learn and apply business analysis tools and techniques.
• Contribute to process improvement within the analytics department.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Independent work

Learning agility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and rapidly expanding financial services firm in Pietermaritzburg , is seeking an ambitious and detail-oriented Junior Business Analyst to join their innovative data analytics team. This is an exceptional opportunity for a recent graduate to kick-start a rewarding career in a challenging yet supportive environment. You will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, contributing directly to the strategic decision-making processes of the company. The role offers a blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing you to work from the comfort of your home office part of the week. We are looking for an individual with a strong analytical mindset, a passion for problem-solving, and a commitment to delivering high-quality insights. This position is based in the vibrant city of Pietermaritzburg , KwaZulu-Natal.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist senior analysts in gathering and documenting business requirements for new data-driven projects.
• Perform data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can inform business strategy.
• Develop reports and dashboards to visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) and present findings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with development teams to translate business needs into technical specifications.
• Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) and provide feedback on system functionality.
• Support the maintenance and improvement of existing data models and reports.
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings to understand project objectives and provide analytical support.
• Learn and apply various business analysis tools and techniques.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives within the data analytics department.
• Document project progress, challenges, and resolutions meticulously.

Requirements

• A recent Bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an aptitude for data interpretation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables, VLOOKUPs).
• Familiarity with SQL for data extraction and manipulation is highly advantageous.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proactive attitude with a willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges.
• A keen eye for detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Understanding of basic business principles and financial concepts.
• Previous internship or project experience in data analysis or business intelligence is a plus.

Benefits

This role comes with a competitive starting salary, comprehensive training programs designed to accelerate your professional development, and opportunities for career advancement within a growing organization. You will benefit from a supportive team environment, exposure to diverse projects, and the chance to make a tangible impact. Our client offers a dynamic work culture that values innovation and employee growth. We provide opportunities to work on exciting projects that shape the future of our business. Mentorship from experienced professionals in the field will guide your learning journey. You'll also gain access to state-of-the-art analytical tools and technologies. Participate in regular team-building activities designed to foster camaraderie and collaboration. Enjoy a challenging yet rewarding career path within a stable and reputable company. We are committed to fostering a workplace that is both productive and engaging, ensuring that your career here is both successful and fulfilling.