Associate Business Analyst

About the Role

The Associate Business Analyst is a technical executor of the Ascend® platform configuration. This role is primarily remote with occasional travel requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Partner Spec Negotiation

• Lead spec negotiations with specialty pharmacy and other data partners to ensure inbound and outbound file specifications are fully aligned with the Ascend data model before configuration begins.

• Review partner-submitted data specifications for completeness, field-level accuracy, and model alignment; document gaps and drive resolution directly with the data partner.

• Negotiate field mappings, list-of-values (LOVs), file formats, and delivery cadences with data partners, escalating to the Engagement Manager only when partner alignment cannot be achieved at the working level.

• Validate test files against finalized specifications and flag discrepancies before data enters the pipeline; maintain a clear record of spec versions and sign-off status across all active partners.

• Translate data partner constraints into actionable decisions for the implementation team — identifying what can be resolved through configuration, what requires a spec exception, and what must route to Customer Engineering.

• Platform Configuration & Data Mapping

• Own all platform configuration work: data mapping, configuration tooling, business logic implementation, and front-end reporting setup — all driven by the Configuration Blueprint received from the Delivery Director.

• Review data specifications produced in collaboration with the Engagement Manager; proactively flag data model mismatches or gaps prior to configuration work beginning.

• Load data into the pipeline using configuration tooling once specifications are finalized and signed off by relevant stakeholders.

• Collaborate with Customer Engineering on the handoff of data mapping for standard data model onboarding; provide CE with the context needed for custom build workstreams.

• Internal QA & Quality Standards

• Conduct internal QA testing of all configuration work prior to partner or client-facing testing — nothing advances to UAT without BA sign-off.

• Track and resolve defects identified during internal QA and UAT for all configuration-related issues.

• Perform quality control procedures to assure configurations and data quality meet acceptance criteria prior to go-live.

• Develop and maintain QA documentation, test case frameworks, and checklists that support repeatable, auditable testing across implementations.

• Escalation & Non-Standard Request Routing

• Identify whether client requests fall within the standard Ascend data model, require configuration adjustment, or require escalation — to Product for roadmap consideration or to Customer Engineering for custom build.

• Document and route non-standard requests with clear business need descriptions and technical context so that Product and CE can act without re-scoping.

• Conduct change impact analysis to assess how updates or non-standard requests may affect system performance and configuration decisions.

• Cross-Functional Coordination

• Consult with Engagement Managers on data partner specs, testing timelines, and UAT scheduling to ensure internal readiness gates are met.

• Coordinate with Delivery Director on receipt and interpretation of the Configuration Blueprint — the primary work input for each implementation.

• Report blockers, capacity constraints, and escalations to the Engagement Manager proactively.

• Support the Delivery Director and Customer Success with UAT business validation for configuration-related questions.

• Process, Documentation & Knowledge Management

• Facilitate schema normalization of system databases; maintain data dictionaries and file inventories across customer applications.

• Consults with cross-functional teams to document business requirements, operating procedures, issue resolution processes, and platform configurations that enable efficient implementation.

• Develop and maintain an operating playbook that details best practices for configuration sequencing, data partner onboarding, and documentation requirements.

• Write clear, detailed procedures for internal training and be able to train other Business Analysts as the team scales.

• Support creation and ongoing maintenance of standard UAT test script templates for core Ascend use cases in partnership with the Delivery Director.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Skills & Knowledge:
• Ability to lead data partner spec negotiations — driving alignment on file specifications, field mappings, and LOVs across multiple external partners simultaneously.
• Excellent written and oral communication — able to document complex data relationships clearly for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously with rigorous attention to detail across a high-volume implementation portfolio.
• A creative approach to operational problem solving and a relentless passion for quality.
• Knowledge of data management in specialty biotech and/or operations in reimbursement call centers or specialty pharmacies.
• Familiarity with healthcare data sources — transactional, clinical, and behavioral — including specialty pharmacy data file types (patient demographics, dispense, status, inventory).
• Understanding of standard implementation lifecycle frameworks: UAT facilitation, defect triage, QA gating, and go-live readiness.
• Ability to exercise judgment within broadly defined practices and policies when selecting methods and techniques for configuration decisions.
• Tools:
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other analytic tools — specifically data comparison, conditional formulas, data summary, and conversion.
• Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Background and experience with the Business Analysis toolkit including systems development lifecycles, problem solving and root cause analysis methods, and the ability to document business process models.

Qualifications

• Required Education & Experience:
• Bachelor's degree from a 4-year university, Master's degree preferred.
• Relevant experience in an operations role at a biopharmaceutical manufacturer, reimbursement call center, specialty pharmacy, or data management company.
• Demonstrated ability to manage deliverables across multiple concurrent implementations or client programs.
• Preferred:
• Experience with specialty pharmacy data file specifications, SFTP workflows, and data onboarding processes.
• Academic training in public health, business administration, and/or operations research.
• Case management experience in a reimbursement call center or specialty pharmacy.
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Smartsheet, JIRA, or Confluence.
• Familiarity with Google Docs, workflow diagram tools, web-based software systems, and relational databases.
• Experience working within a structured RACI model or implementation team framework.