Benefits Business Analyst I or II

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: Penn Center - Denver, CO, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $75000.00 - $102000.00Salary, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Finance, Summary of Job Responsibilities This position is responsible for driving continuous process improvement within the Benefit Services Division, including the administration of PERA’s defined benefit (DB), defined contribution (DC), 401(k), and 457 plans. The role advances PERA’s strategic goals and reinforces PERA’s dedication to high-value, low-cost service to members, employers, retirees, and plan participants. Additionally, this position is responsible for providing functional support of the benefit systems infrastructure and translating business needs into actionable solutions that enhance and modify current and future benefit administration systems, user interfaces, and business intelligence data utilization within the division. Ideal Candidate Statement The ideal candidate is an experienced business analyst with a proven track record leading User Acceptance Testing (UAT), driving continuous process improvement, and implementing repeatable, sustainable operational processes. They bring strong analytical skills and experience developing process metrics, KPIs, and reporting that measure performance and support data-driven decision making. This individual excels at documenting requirements, workflows, and business processes while effectively collaborating with both technical teams and business stakeholders to deliver meaningful, measurable improvements Essential Duties and Responsibilities Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Individuals must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodations. Partners with identified benefits department staff to drive continuous process improvement by utilizing and implementing process improvement frameworks Leads enterprise-wide business process improvement (BPI) efforts, mentors the development of BPI practitioners, and oversees the adoption of BPI tools and frameworks Contributes to the development and ongoing maintenance of interfaces and infrastructure of the benefit administration systems Engages with stakeholders to assess business needs, recommends process improvements, enhancements and solutions, leads requirements gathering, and documents business requirements Documents business requirements, test plans, training materials, user stories, and implementation plans to support the successful execution of projects Manages user acceptance testing (UAT) prior to change completion and release to benefits department users Acts as a collaborative change champion to support change management initiatives, using the ADKAR model, and implementation for larger projects directly supported by the Change Management Office (CMO) Acts as a change agent to integrate ADKAR philosophy in project plans and delivery for smaller projects not directly supported by the CMO Work cross-functionally with Product Management, Project Management, Change Management, Application Development, consultants, and contractors on broader business initiatives Identifies technical and administrative risks and structures solutions to eliminate or effectively mitigate them Identifies trends and inefficiencies and recommends improvements Communicates effectively with all stakeholders, including technical and benefits staff Actively seeks out and participates in training and other educational opportunities for ongoing professional development Understand PERA benefits plans and terminology Ensures process documentation is updated regularly Supports and pursues achievement of established objectives Maintains regular and prompt attendance in the workplace Carries out other duties as assigned See Leveling Guide for additional essential functions Job Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, or equivalent Five years of benefit administration, business analysis, project management, product management, quality assurance (QA), and/or continuous process improvement experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience Experience in one or more of the following areas: Working with benefit administration systems; including pension administration systems, workflow management programs, and/or contribution reporting platforms Process improvement; utilizing frameworks such as Lean, Six Sigma, etc. Creating and/or maintaining process maps, user stories, business requirement documents, testing plans, or other appropriate documentation Experience working with both non-technical end users and technical development staff Experience with Microsoft Office applications Experience with Microsoft Visio or similar process mapping tools preferred Experience with Microsoft Power BI or similar data visualization tools preferred Detail-oriented and quality-focused Effective interpersonal skills including customer service, training, and conflict management skills Effective problem resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills Effective oral, written, and presentation communication skills Effective time management and organization skills See Leveling Guide for additional qualifications Working Conditions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Standard office environment with frequent telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine. Occasional moving and positioning supplies in excess of 20 pounds All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time Ability to operate standard PC equipment Ability to manage frequent deadlines and tight schedules Hybrid Work Option Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy. LEVELING GUIDE Benefits Business Analyst II and Senior Benefits Business Analyst requirements include those of the preceding level or levels. Benefits Business Analyst I Benefits Business Analyst II Scope and Complexity of Work Performs the essential functions listed under the guidance of more senior Benefits Business Analysts and the Benefit Operations Manager Learns and supports change management principles Runs standard reports Understands basic PERA benefits plans and terminology Identify trends and inefficiencies and recommends improvements Ensures process documentation is regularly updated Leads continuous process improvement within the division Manages and documents business requirements, test plans, training plans, and user stories in support of projects Manages and/or performs user acceptance testing (UAT) of changes prior to completion and release to benefits department users Communicates complex information effectively and efficiently with all stakeholders, including technical staff, benefits department staff, and organizational leadership Applies change management in small to mid-size initiatives Develops dashboards to monitor KPI’s and project progress or process efficiencies Education A combination of education and experience equivalent to 5 years of benefit administration, business analysis, project management, product management, quality assurance, and/or continuous process improvement. A combination of education and experience equivalent to 7 years of benefit administration, business analysis, project management, product management, quality assurance, and/or continuous process improvement. Required Education Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's Degree Leadership Visibly supports BSD and PERA in pursuit of established objectives Shares Best Practices Participates in training and mentoring of developing Benefits Business Analysts. Leads project teams to support team and divisional goals and objectives. Leads and mentors Business Process Improvement (BPI) practitioners Knowledge Experience in one of the following areas: Working with benefit administration systems, including pension administration systems, workflow management programs, and/or contribution reporting platforms Process improvement utilizing frameworks such as Lean, Six Sigma, etc. Creating and/or maintaining process maps, user stories, business requirement documents, testing plans, or other appropriate documentation Demonstrated experience in one of the following areas: Driving positive customer outcomes by application of value stream maps, voice of the customer, or other customer-centric frameworks in continuous process improvement strategies Creating and/or maintaining process maps, user stories, business requirement documents, testing plans, or other appropriate documentation Skills Strong commitment to quality and attention to detail Effective interpersonal skills; including customer service, training, and conflict management skills Effective problem resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills Effective oral, written, and presentation communication skills Effective time management and organization skills Strong interpersonal skills; including customer service, training, and conflict management skills Strong problem resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills Strong oral, written, and presentation communication skills Strong time management and organization skills Experience with Microsoft Visio or similar diagramming/visualization software Ability to identify and frame business problems, coordinate with stakeholders, and develop actionable solutions that align with broader organizational goals Preferred Qualifications Exposure to Lean Six Sigma principles Green Belt certification in Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement Prosci or equivalent change management certification Qualifications: INTERESTED CANDIDATES Complete the employment application online at https://www.copera.org/careers. Please have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. Please review the following questions. You will be asked for a response to these as part of your application: What do you feel makes someone a successful business analyst? Could you please point to an example in your work where you were “successful” based on your criteria? Tell us about a time you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment. With this position, we are prioritizing demonstrated experience in process improvement. Please provide us with some detail of your background in this area, including highlighting any belts or designations you currently hold. Job Description Disclaimer This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned with or without notice. Unfortunately, at this time, PERA cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US. All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA’s Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from PERA’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA’s Investment Administration team. Why Work at PERA Colorado PERA offers more than a traditional pension career. We are a mission-driven organization with a growing focus on technology and modernization. Employees have the opportunity to do meaningful work with a real impact on over 700,000 members. From enhancing digital tools and member experiences to supporting major enterprise initiatives, employees are part of meaningful, future-focused work that blends public service with innovation. We take pride in our inclusive culture, career development opportunities, and our consistent recognition as a Top Workplace based on employee feedback. PERA is a place to connect, contribute, and be part of something bigger. A Culture That Cares At PERA, leveraging employee strengths and supporting strong engagement are the foundations of our culture. Employees are encouraged to grow through development opportunities and internal career movement, while also being part of an organization where people feel respected, informed, and included. Collaboration is encouraged across teams, allowing employees to learn from one another and contribute in ways that maximize their unique skills. We strive to foster an environment where employees can do their best work and feel supported by the people around them An Employer that Invests in You PERA invests in our employees in ways that matter; from comprehensive benefits and generous paid time-off to thoughtful everyday amenities that enhance the office experience. Employees are encouraged to continue learning through training, mentoring, and development at every stage of their careers. We champion a workplace where people feel valued, inspired, and equipped to grow. Join Us If you’re energized by meaningful work, motivated by an organization that evolves with a changing world and looking for an employer that invests in you, then consider joining PERA’s team. Learn more about careers at PERA at copera.org/careers. Position Title: Benefits Business Analyst I or II Division: Benefit Operations Reports to: Benefits Operations Manager Job Status: Full Time / Exempt Salary: $75,000.00 - $102.000.00 annual, commensurate with experience Posting Dates: 09/18/2026 to 10/04/2026