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How to hire a business analyst/program manager

Business analyst/program manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring business analyst/program managers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a business analyst/program manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new business analyst/program manager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a business analyst/program manager, step by step

To hire a business analyst/program manager, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a business analyst/program manager:

Here's a step-by-step business analyst/program manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a business analyst/program manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new business analyst/program manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a business analyst/program manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A business analyst/program manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, business analyst/program managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    Here's a comparison of business analyst/program manager salaries for various roles:

    Type of Business Analyst/Program ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Business Analyst/Program ManagerManagement analysts, often called management consultants, propose ways to improve the efficiency of an organization. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.$42-73
    Program AnalystThe job of program analysts is to plan, manage, and evaluate a company's computer programs. They usually perform different tasks, including researching and analyzing complex data to identify trends and offer the best recommendations for improvements... Show more$25-50
    Analyst LeadThe duties of an analyst lead depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, coordinating with different departments to gather leads and data, reviewing findings, and producing reports and presentations for the stakeholders and other higher-ranking officials... Show more$35-58
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Shared Services
    • Program Management
    • Risk Management
    • Business Process
    • Business Analysis
    • Tableau
    • SharePoint
    • Project Management
    • Scrum
    • SDLC
    • Process Improvement
    • Product Launch
    • User Acceptance
    • Business Operations
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead development of custom quoting tool build in Salesforce from requirements definition to implementation.
    • Design, socialize and implement SOA PMO and governing framework.
    • Collaborate with the company owner on developing the portfolio, evaluating products/services, determining pricing, and creating training/marketing materials.
    • Guide developers in architecture, design and development.
    • Coordinate the logistics and administrative support to effectively conduct the monthly IRB meeting as statutorily require.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your business analyst/program manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A business analyst/program manager salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, business analyst/program managers' average salary in north dakota is 40% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level business analyst/program managers earn 42% less than senior-level business analyst/program managers.
    • Certifications. A business analyst/program manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a business analyst/program manager's salary.

    Average business analyst/program manager salary

    $115,812yearly

    $55.68 hourly rate

    Entry-level business analyst/program manager salary
    $88,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025
  4. Writing a business analyst/program manager job description

    A good business analyst/program manager job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a business analyst/program manager job description:

    Business analyst/program manager job description example

    Join Our Family, Build Your Career!


    ABOUT US:
    SanMar Corporation has been family-owned since 1971. Based in Issaquah, WA, we are an award-winning, national supplier of 21 retail, private label and mill brands. We supply apparel and accessories to screen printers, embroiderers, promotional products distributors, athletic dealers, industrial launderers and more -- whether they are outfitting a Fortune 500 corporation or the local bowling team. SanMar's success and growth can be attributed to one thing - outstanding employees who provide superior services and products to our customers. We promote a culture that acknowledges the importance of a healthy work-life balance, recognizing that happy and relaxed employees make better ambassadors for SanMar. We encourage initiative and participation by creating a casual environment that taps your full potential as an employee.


    Position Summary:
    The Program Manager/Business Analyst is responsible for developing relationships with partners and vendors, curating assortment plans, and monitoring and improving SKU profitability while positioning SanMar competitively in the market. They are responsible for all merchandising analysis projects, business plans, product line plans and pricing attached to the Industry Brands category.


    Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
    • \t
    • Partners with vendors to position SanMar as a premier distributor to the industry, prioritizing SanMar for first access to inventory, best costing/pricing and most favorable terms
    • \t
    • Researches competitor offerings, market research, and consumer trends; delivers findings to leadership with action strategies
    • \t
    • Collaborates with leadership on strategies to improve margins while remaining competitively priced
    • \t
    • Manages and improves existing price management tools and reporting to justify pricing decisions and drive future strategy
    • \t
    • Works with finance team on detailed reporting and for support in creating new opportunities to drive sales with targeted customers
    • \t
    • Partners with purchasing team on special buys and off-price purchases to maximize benefit while maintaining appropriate inventory levels
    • \t
    • Creates product assortment line plans and manages pricing documentation for product line including silhouette/style/color plans, sizing structure, flow plan, and pricing recommendations
    • \t
    • Identifies category growth opportunities and new product market potential
    • \t
    • Conducts detailed analysis of sales history and forecasts demand for potential new products
    • \t
    • Champions product positioning with marketing and sales throughout go-to market process – including web, image (catalog), and other support materials
    • \t
    • Creates and communicates impactful presentations to sell-in the product to cross-functional teams, management, marketing, and internal sales as well as directly to customers
    • \t
    • Manages the preparation, coordination, proofing, and execution of sales tool information supplied for sales and marketing use (e.g., catalogs, sales samples, sales meeting presentation templates, etc.)

    Requirements for Position:
    • \t
    • Proficiency in data analysis with strong experience in report building and presenting. Expert knowledge of Excel, Sharepoint, Microsoft Power BI or other data analytic tools like FlySpeed. Required
    • \t
    • Extremely well organized with a proven history in coordinating multi-element projects within multiple programs
    • \t
    • Ability to accept criticism and perform with professionalism and accuracy under pressure
    • \t
    • Ability to lead meetings, work independently, prioritize and handle multiple deadlines, and work independently or in a team environment
    • \t
    • Highly collaborative approach that ensures all stakeholders input and engagement throughout the project. Attain necessary approvals to move projects to the next level.
    • \t
    • Proven history of strong communication skills, both written and oral
    • \t
    • Ability to effectively supervise, train and manage junior level staff
    • \t
    • Attention to detail
    • \t
    • Organized and self-motivated
    • \t
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word

    Qualifications:
    • \t
    • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience Preferred
    • \t
    • 4-6 years of experience with Project Management/Business Analytics/Vendor Management Required

    Physical Demands:
    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.


    Work Environment:
    Work environment is moderately quiet. Employee must be able to handle strenuous customer deadlines and be flexible and available to interact with employees at all levels.


    BENEFITS:
    • \t
    • Competitive salary and bonuses
    • \t
    • Medical, dental and vision plans
    • \t
    • Life insurance
    • \t
    • 401(k) plan with company match
    • \t
    • Flexible spending program
    • \t
    • Anniversary rewards
    • \t
    • Discounts on brand name apparel
    • \t
    • Diverse, laid-back atmosphere
    • \t
    • Flexible schedules
    • \t
    • Monthly employee events
      \t
      \t
    If you are a service oriented person who would enjoy working for a company that provides a dynamic, family-oriented environment, this is the perfect opportunity for you! There aren't many other companies out there like us, so don't miss out, apply today, and learn what over 3,000 employees have come to know as "The SanMar Difference!"

    SanMar provides opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran or disabled status.

    SanMar participates in E-Verify.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find business analyst/program managers for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your business analyst/program manager job on Zippia to find and recruit business analyst/program manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with business analyst/program manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new business analyst/program manager

    Once you've found the business analyst/program manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new business analyst/program manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a business analyst/program manager?

Hiring a business analyst/program manager comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting business analyst/program managers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of business analyst/program manager recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Business analyst/program managers earn a median yearly salary is $115,812 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find business analyst/program managers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $42 and $73.

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