Business Systems Architect

At MFS, you will find a culture that supports you in doing what you do best. Our employees work together to reach better outcomes, favoring the strongest idea over the strongest individual. We put people first and demonstrate care and compassion for our community and each other. Because what we do matters - to us as valued professionals and to the millions of people and institutions who rely on us to help them build more secure and prosperous futures.

THE ROLE

Using discretion and judgment, the Business Systems Architect helps develop systems technology projects that address the needs of the Business Units that they support. As a member of an Agile delivery team, they meet with project stakeholders and business partners to review and secure buy-in on business requirements. They develop and maintain formal specifications that clearly outline the key requirements. The Business Systems Architect collaborates with Product Owners, Stakeholders, members of their Agile team in addition to external vendors and internal IT resources to develop, test, and deploy investment technology solutions. The Business Systems Architect follows the MFS system-development life cycle while working to release projects and maintenance items for the benefit of our clients and internal business partners.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Displays a deep interest and understanding of the business vision and processes, leading the analysis and delivery of those solutions. Works with users to understand and define needs above and beyond requirements provided by the business. Converts business requirements into functional specifications.
• Works effectively on a cross-functional Agile Team in all phases of the software development lifecycle to deliver business solutions.
• Works in conjunction with Directors, Architects and Lead Analysts to set direction and enforce best practices with respect to the gathering of business requirements, creation of functional specifications and documentation.
• Acts as the primary liaison between business stakeholders, product owners and the technology organization to ensure proper implementation of requirements within the expected timetable. Communicates any material modifications of business requirements to stakeholders and product owners.
• Participates in architectural discussions with development teams.
• Formulates and defines systems scope and objectives based on both user needs and an understanding of Investment and Operations systems and industry requirements.
• Collaborates with the QA team in developing high level test plans. Reviews test cases developed by the QA team. Works with automated testing team when needed for performance/load testing as well as automated regression testing.
• Works to ensure a positive end product for business stakeholders by overseeing the implementation of new software. Creates and maintains proper training materials and business documentation.
• Provides superior application and production support as needed. Works with business partners and other IT departments to resolve questions, assess user needs, and recommend solutions.
• Assists Directors with strategic planning of department's initiatives and resources and with developing long-range roadmaps for system upgrades.
• Identifies organization's strengths and weaknesses and suggests areas of improvement in order to reduce risk, leverage existing technologies, reduce costs, and provide better service and overall experience to our clients.
• Actively mentors and advises less experienced Business Systems Analysts and other members of the IT organization.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in a business or technology related field.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in the financial services industry, ideally supporting buy-side technology.
• Strong technical, analytical, and business knowledge. Excellent technical understanding of underlying relevant technical architecture and investment business processes.
• Able to lead demonstrations and deliver solutions directly to investment leaders
• Prior experience with investment technology, preferably with a focus on fixed income instruments
• Proven ability to efficiently utilize resources and communicate with others, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong project management skills, proven analytical skills and demonstrated ability to make independent decisions.
• Excellent understanding of systems development lifecycle.
• In-depth technical and functional understanding of investment and operations applications. Ability to perform detailed analysis on these systems at all phases of the project lifecycle.
• Ability to consider the business implications of the application of technology to the current and future business environment.
• Proven ability to develop creative solutions to meet business needs.

#LI-HYBRID

At MFS, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply - you might be just the right candidate for this role or others.

• Generous time-off provided: including "Responsible time off" for many roles, paid company holidays when the US Stock Exchange is closed, plus paid volunteer time
• Family Focus: Up to 20 weeks of paid leave for new parents, back-up care program, dependent care flexible spending account, adoption assistance, generous caregiver leave
• Health and Welfare: Competitive medical, vision and dental plans, plus tax-free health savings accounts with company contributions
• Wellness Programs: Robust wellness webinars, employee assistance program, gym reimbursement through our medical plans, fitness center discounts and more
• Life & Disability Benefits: Company-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability
• Financial Benefits: 401(k) savings plan, Defined Contribution plan- 15% of base salary invested into the Plan, competitive total compensation programs

MFS is a hybrid work environment (remote/onsite) unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

If any applicant is unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please contact MFS at 617-954-5000 or email talent_acquisition@mfs.com for assistance.

MFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. Employees and applicants of MFS will not be subject to harassment on the basis of their status. Additionally, retaliation, including intimidation, threats, or coercion, because an employee or applicant has objected to discrimination, engaged or may engage in filing a complaint, assisted in a review, investigation, or hearing or have otherwise sought to obtain their legal rights under any Federal, State, or local EEO law is prohibited. Please see the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal document, linked for your reference.