Business Readiness Analyst (Operations)

Who we are
With its global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, International Financial Data Services (IFDS) is a world-leading provider of outsourcing and technology solutions to the financial services industry. IFDS services over 240 financial organizations around the world, providing solutions to a wide range of global asset managers, wealth managers, banks, and insurance companies. The IFDS enterprise supports more than 17 million accounts with AUA of approximately CAD $4 trillion. IFDS Canada is a 50/50 joint ventures between Boston-based State Street Corporation, one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors, and Connecticut-based SS&C Technologies, a global provider of investment and financial software-enabled services and software for the global financial services and healthcare industries.

Imagine yourself at IFDS
Come experience a community like no other at International Financial Data Services (IFDS). We offer work opportunities driven by a passion for creating market leading financial solutions, and a culture that nurtures collaboration, accountability, diversity & inclusion, and continuous learning. We’ll provide you with opportunities to develop your career. From ongoing training and development programs to experiences working with our global financial services partners, you’ll be able to realize your full potential.

Role Overview
The incumbent will be responsible for leading business readiness activities associated with system enhancements, maintenance releases, regulatory changes, process updates, client onboarding initiatives, and operational transformation activities impacting Business Operations.

The successful individual will be responsible for conducting and leading business readiness assessments, identifying and mitigating risks, challenging and refining business requirements, coordinating end-to-end readiness activities, and ensuring successful implementation of change initiatives. The role requires strategic thinking, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy while influencing delivery outcomes across multiple complex initiatives.

The incumbent will act as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders and leadership, providing expertise in business readiness, change management, impact assessment, and operational implementation while supporting continuous improvement across the organization.

Role Responsibilities

Business Readiness Leadership, Analysis & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Lead end-to-end readiness assessments for medium to large, cross-functional initiatives impacting Business Operations.
• Conduct and oversee detailed business impact analysis across systems, processes, controls, customers, and operational teams.
• Act as a subject matter expert and advisor on Business Operations processes and organizational change impacts.
• Review, challenge, and refine business requirements and solution designs to ensure operational readiness and successful implementation.
• Identify risks, dependencies, impacts, and mitigation strategies in partnership with business leaders and project stakeholders.
• Provide strategic input and recommendations to leadership regarding readiness, implementation, and operational risk.
• Support and guide Associate Business Readiness Leads on analysis, readiness activities, and stakeholder engagement.

Project Governance, Planning & Coordination:

• Lead readiness planning activities across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Develop and maintain readiness plans, RAID logs, stakeholder assessments, communication plans, and governance documentation.
• Coordinate readiness activities across business, technology, L&D, project delivery, and operational teams.
• Monitor initiative progress, risks, dependencies, and readiness milestones to ensure successful execution.
• Establish governance structures and readiness checkpoints to support effective implementation.
• Provide project coordination and readiness leadership throughout the initiative lifecycle.

End User Testing Leadership:

• Facilitate and oversee end-to-end User Acceptance Testing activities for business and technology initiatives.
• Develop testing approaches, strategies, plans, and testing governance frameworks.
• Coordinate test execution and provide oversight to ensure appropriate coverage and quality.
• Review testing outcomes, defects, and risks and provide recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
• Partner with business stakeholders and technology teams to ensure successful validation of solutions.

Change Management, Communication & Training:

• Drive change management activities to support successful adoption of business and technology changes.
• Develop and execute stakeholder communication strategies for impacted business areas.
• Collaborate with Learning & Development teams to identify training needs and readiness requirements.
• Ensure alignment between communications, training, testing, and implementation activities.
• Lead stakeholder engagement efforts to build awareness, readiness, and support for organizational change.

Risk Management & Issue Resolution:

• Lead identification, assessment, and mitigation of business readiness risks and operational impacts.
• Proactively identify delivery, adoption, and implementation risks before escalation is required.
• Facilitate issue resolution activities with stakeholders and project teams.
• Escalate significant risks, dependencies, and issues to leadership with recommendations and mitigation strategies.

Mentorship & Continuous Improvement:

• Provide mentorship, coaching, and guidance to Associate Business Readiness Leads and junior team members.
• Support capability development and knowledge sharing across the Business Readiness team.
• Identify opportunities to improve readiness methodologies, governance, testing practices, and operational processes.
• Contribute to the ongoing maturity of the Business Readiness and Change Management function.

Minimum Qualifications
Essential:

• Post-secondary education in a related discipline.
• 3 - 5+ years experience in Business Readiness, Business Analysis, Change Management, Project Delivery, or related operational disciplines.
• Advanced business analysis and impact assessment capabilities.
• Strong understanding of change management principles and organizational readiness.
• Ability to lead complex readiness initiatives with minimal supervision.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including interactions with senior leadership and clients.
• Experience facilitating and overseeing User Acceptance Testing activities.
• Strong project coordination, governance, and planning capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead risk identification, assessment, and mitigation activities.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills while managing multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong knowledge of Business Operations processes and functionality.
• Knowledge of iFAST Base system, related applications, and operational workflows.
• Intermediate to Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle and change delivery methodologies.
• Intermediate-Advanced MS Excel

Beneficial:

• Experience mentoring team members and providing functional leadership
• Mutual fund industry and operational experience
• IFIC Operations and Procedures course
• Familiarity with corporate project methodology
• Familiarity with Fundserv processing and reporting

AODA Statement

IFDS Canada encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Applicants with disabilities may notify us of any accommodation needed to support your participation in the recruitment process. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying. Please be aware that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted for this position.

Salary Range

Pay Range (CAD $): 53,000 - 67,000

The above reflects an industry-benchmarked target compensation range. The salary offered may vary based upon the candidate’s skills and experience, job-related knowledge, and other specific business needs.

IFDS Provides:

• Total Rewards: IFDS offers a comprehensive, competitive compensation & benefits package
• Work-Life Balance: IFDS offers a hybrid work environment with our office located in the downtown core within walking distance to Union Station and the PATH
• Professional Development: IFDS offers continuous learning opportunities, leadership development & training programs
• Inclusive Culture: Our inclusive work environment supports equity and values diversity
• Wellness Programs: Access to a variety of wellness initiatives, mental health support, and employee assistance programs
• Community Engagement: Participate in volunteer opportunities and give back to our community through our various social care programs