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What does a senior business operations analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Rebecca Sarver

Senior Business Operations Analysts are responsible for evaluating and solving issues of performance for business operations through vast data analysis. They set operational objectives with the sales and engineering team, organize data to produce meaningful visuals in improving operational performance, and analyze to improve operation problems, financials, volume, quality, audit, compliance, policies, and procedures. Other duties include compiling cost assessment information for the project and developing recommendations based on the report. They also provide mentorship to junior operation analysts on ways to develop dashboards, analyze data, and plan strategic, operational initiatives.

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Senior business operations analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior business operations analyst resumes:

  • Manage implementation and design a SharePoint solution to control the media plan review and approval process for sales and operations teams.
  • Manage timely (business/technology) requirements gathering, project documentation, approvals from governance, QA testing and post-production validation.
  • Redesign the architecture and visualization of the internal SharePoint sites.
  • Maintain CRM database of client information and sales activities.
  • Create specific and actionable business requirements for releasing new CRM tool and processes.
  • Work as a SME in resolving some issues relate to certain CR deployments.
  • Educate the technical staff, including providing expert guidance on ITIL and its benefits.
  • Create a cost avoidance of $20,000 in resource hours by training a small team to execute SharePoint 2010 upgrade plans.
  • Coordinate all internal & external audit activities (to include SME assignments), prepare documentation need to support audit activities.
  • Participate in and hold daily scrum meetings to perform iterative and incremental agile software development framework when managing product development.
  • Process and correct EDI invoice files for system upload.
  • Conduct JAD sessions for communicating with stakeholders and project directors.
  • Identified/Clarify and gather requirements during JAD sessions, review business needs and project objectives with stakeholders.

Senior business operations analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Senior Business Operations Analysts are proficient in Business Operations, Data Analysis, and Process Improvement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Time-management skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Business Operations Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Business Operations, 8%

    Interpreted complex financial analysis and prepared reports to monitor finances associated with business operations of National Archive and Small Business Contracts.

  • Data Analysis, 8%

    Involved on existing business processes, data analysis requirements, business system analysis and design, converting requirements into functional specifications.

  • Process Improvement, 8%

    Implemented structured methodology by developing a business analysis department to establish automation and process improvement in every area within the operation.

  • Project Management, 7%

    Secured Project Management Professional certification.

  • Shared Services, 7%

    Partnered with the Regional COO to produce a feasibility study to establish a back office Shared Services Center in Central Europe.

  • PowerPoint, 6%

    Created high level sales reporting solutions using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint applications incorporating key sales membership metrics.

Most senior business operations analysts use their skills in "business operations," "data analysis," and "process improvement" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior business operations analyst responsibilities here:

Time-management skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior business operations analyst to have is time-management skills. You can see how this relates to what senior business operations analysts do because "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." Additionally, a senior business operations analyst resume shows how senior business operations analysts use time-management skills: "work with fellow business operations members to coordinate incoming projects to meet deadlines. "

Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform senior business operations analyst duties is analytical skills. Senior business operations analysts responsibilities require that "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." Senior business operations analysts also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed concise data tables to allow business analysts and operational managers to refine fraud strategies. "

Communication skills. This is an important skill for senior business operations analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how senior business operations analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior business operations analyst: "prepared all internal systems/processes (hr, finance) and created internal communication for the integration process. ".

Interpersonal skills. senior business operations analyst responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." This resume example shows what senior business operations analysts do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "maximize the organization's sharepoint capabilities through hands on coaching and training exercises utilizing strong written and interpersonal communication skills. "

Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a senior business operations analyst to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what senior business operations analysts relies on this skill, since "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." How this skill relates to senior business operations analyst duties can be seen in an example from a senior business operations analyst resume snippet: "managed all aspects of financial business operations for the technical solutions / professional services group. "

All senior business operations analyst skills

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Senior Business Operations Analyst Resume
Senior Business Operations Analyst Resume
Senior Business Operations Analyst Resume
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Compare different senior business operations analysts

Senior business operations analyst vs. Analyst lead

The 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. Through the results, an analyst lead can provide advice, devise strategies for business optimization, spearhead the development of processes, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer recommendations on areas in need of improvement. All of this is done while in adherence to the company's vision and mission.

The annual salary of analyst leads is $13,121 higher than the average salary of senior business operations analysts.Even though senior business operations analysts and analyst leads are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require data analysis, process improvement, and project management in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior business operations analysts and analyst lead. For instance, senior business operations analyst responsibilities require skills such as "business operations," "shared services," "sr," and "business analysis." Whereas a analyst lead is skilled in "analytics," "customer service," "excellent interpersonal," and "java." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Analyst leads really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $110,488. Comparatively, senior business operations analysts tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $86,201.The education levels that analyst leads earn slightly differ from senior business operations analysts. In particular, analyst leads are 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a senior business operations analyst. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior business operations analyst vs. Business analyst/project manager

A business analyst/project manager is responsible for developing project management procedures, analyzing processes, and ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of project deliverables, following clients' specifications and requirements to meet their highest satisfaction. Business analysts/project managers manage project resources, delegate tasks to project staff, setting deadlines, and coordinating with the clients for regular updates and suggest strategic adjustments as needed. They also mitigate potential risks and manage changes during the project execution, maintaining the quality of the outputs, and balancing costs to meet the clients' budget goals.

A career as a business analyst/project manager brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a senior business operations analyst. In fact, business analyst/project managers salary is $17,739 higher than the salary of senior business operations analysts per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both senior business operations analysts and business analyst/project managers have skills such as "data analysis," "process improvement," and "project management. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior business operations analyst resumes. While senior business operations analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "business operations," "shared services," "powerpoint," and "sr," business analyst/project managers use skills like "business stakeholders," "business process," "project scope," and "visio."

Business analyst/project managers earn a higher average salary than senior business operations analysts. But business analyst/project managers earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $120,172. Additionally, senior business operations analysts earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $86,201 annually.In general, business analyst/project managers achieve similar levels of education than senior business operations analysts. They're 0.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior business operations analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Rebecca SarverRebecca Sarver LinkedIn profile

Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College

The use of remote and virtual meetings will continue, even after COVID-19. Face-to-face meetings may still be the preferred method of contact, but the reality is that many clients who need to access services do not have reliable and consistent transportation to get to the services. Phones and computers enable more convenient meetings that are less costly in terms of time and travel. Some clients may prefer not to leave their homes.

Senior business operations analyst vs. Process analyst

A process analyst is also known as an operations research analyst, who evaluates in detail the steps in producing products and making important decisions as well as providing recommendations on how to enhance them. They are IT specialists that analyze the business process and workflows to determine how they can be computerized and improved. Responsibilities include identifying problems and risks as well as engaging in problem resolution. Important skills to consider for applicants include being innovative thinkers and goal-oriented.

An average process analyst eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of senior business operations analysts. The difference in salaries amounts to process analysts earning a $8,910 lower average salary than senior business operations analysts.senior business operations analysts and process analysts both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "data analysis," "process improvement," and "project management," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior business operations analysts are more likely to have skills like "business operations," "shared services," "powerpoint," and "sr." But a process analyst is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "continuous improvement," "sql," and "visio."

Process analysts make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $93,338. On the other hand, senior business operations analysts are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $86,201.process analysts typically earn lower educational levels compared to senior business operations analysts. Specifically, they're 8.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior business operations analyst vs. Business analyst-consultant

A business analyst-consultant is responsible for overseeing the project management and ensuring that the operations meet the agreed-upon project deliverables. Business analyst-consultants closely coordinate with the clients for their specifications and requirements, monitoring the resources and processes for the project completion, and aligning those to the clients' budget goals. A business analyst-consultant helps the development team on strategizing techniques for brand promotions with minimal costs with maximum quality and productivity. They should have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on identifying business opportunities to drive revenues and increase profitability.

Business analyst-consultants average a higher salary than the annual salary of senior business operations analysts. The difference is about $7,984 per year.According to resumes from senior business operations analysts and business analyst-consultants, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "data analysis," "process improvement," and "project management. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A senior business operations analyst uses "business operations," "shared services," "powerpoint," and "sr." business analyst-consultants are more likely to have duties that require skills in "business process," "visio," "data warehouse," and "project scope. "The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for business analyst-consultants, with average annual pay of $105,940. Comparatively, the highest senior business operations analyst annual salary comes from the finance industry.business analyst-consultants reach similar levels of education compared to senior business operations analysts, in general. The difference is that they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior business operations analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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