Systems Analyst II - UBC, Vancouver

Day-to-day

As a Systems Analyst II at UBC, you will be instrumental in the design, implementation, integration, and ongoing support of complex, campus-wide collaboration and communication systems, with a primary focus on Microsoft 365 services. This role provides leadership in systems analysis, business process improvement, and lifecycle management, contributing significantly to the reliability and continuous evolution of critical university services. Your technical expertise will ensure efficient and effective use of systems for day-to-day operations across the University community.

• Design, implement and maintain enterprise services for the Collaboration Services portfolio to facilitate efficient and effective use of systems for day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate the integration of applications with other UBC systems and services.
• Resolve complex application related failures and defects independently or in consultation with other IT professionals. Perform in-depth troubleshooting using knowledge of network/server administration, internet protocols, database architecture and application configuration.
• Modify applications and conduct testing of customisations to ensure specifications are met. Document these changes and subsequent QA scenarios.
• Develop, customise, and support solutions within the Microsoft 365 platform by designing API-based integrations, building automation using scripting languages, and creating modern web components to enable scalable, maintainable, and secure business solutions.
• Provide custom reporting, data analysis and extracts.
• Assess client needs utilising a structured requirements process (gathering, analysing, documenting, and managing changes) to identify business priorities and recommend options.
• Identify, elicit, and document business requirements, define business rules and communicate requirements for the implementation of solutions.
• Perform formal system audits and develop written procedures, standards and practices to ensure a high level of availability, security, data integrity and hardware/software compatibility.
• Generate reports on usage metrics, overall systems and applications performance indices using industry-standard methodologies to ensure compliance with Service Level Commitments.
• Provide Tier 2/Tier 3 operational support for production systems including troubleshooting system problem reports, resolving issues with production systems, defining operational support processes, and providing end user support as required.
• Positively represent UBC IT in the community; act as key resource for collaboration within and across project teams and within the application developer community on campus.
• Liaise directly and indirectly with vendors and other service owners.
• May be required to provide after hours support in situations requiring an urgent response.
• Research and evaluate vendor supplied applications, develop recommendations, and implement accordingly.
• Analyse and review existing or proposed system features and integration, security, scalability and performance requirements with clients, business analysts, and team members.
• Manage production and non-production application environments.
• Maintain core application infrastructure, including virtual servers, networks and firewalls.
• Plan and perform global configuration changes or module deployments for enterprise or complex applications.
• Integrate vendor supplied applications with existing infrastructure and applications through custom interfaces and components.
• Manage small to medium sized projects.
• Provide technical expertise, training, and consultation to other staff.
• Develop or modify software code to meet specifications or facilitate integration.
• Conduct testing of new or customised application modules to ensure application meets specifications.
• Develop application documentation requirements for functions, modifications, backups and operating procedures. Provide ongoing maintenance and operational support for applications.
• Support application lifecycle and apply and follow appropriate change management methodologies and best practices.
• Maintain appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools and provide input to strategies for ongoing support and upgrade of these systems.
• Build and maintain good working relationships and collaborate with others to achieve client objectives.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Who we're looking for

We are seeking a dedicated Systems Analyst II with a strong foundation in information systems and technology. The ideal candidate will possess a blend of technical skills and collaborative abilities, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the workplace. Your experience will be key to driving innovation and maintaining high standards across UBC's digital landscape.

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• In-depth knowledge of applications and the business requirements supporting them.
• Minimum of five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred qualifications that would further strengthen your application include:

• University degree in Computer Science preferred.
• Experience with systems development work in designing, developing and implementing medium to large scale software applications.
• Demonstrated ongoing career development through active and self-motivated professional development.
• Demonstrated experience working with Microsoft 365 services, with a focus on SharePoint Online and the broader M365 ecosystem including Teams, OneDrive, and Exchange Online.
• Hands-on experience developing and consuming REST APIs, including Microsoft Graph API, for automation and integration scenarios.
• Practical experience building and maintaining automation scripts using PowerShell (including PnP -PowerShell and Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK) and Python.
• Experience developing with modern web technologies including React, JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, and CSS; practical experience building or customising SharePoint Framework (SPFx) web parts, extensions, and integrated components within the M365 platform.
• Experience working with Power Platform, including Power Automate flows for workflow automation and integration with M365 services.
• Familiarity with Azure services including Entra ID app registrations, service principals, and OAuth 2.0 delegated and application permission models for API authentication.
• Experience implementing and managing SharePoint tenant-wide settings, site policies, retention labels, and compliance configurations programmatically.
• Experience working with Microsoft Dataverse as a structured data platform within Power Platform solutions, including table design, relationships, and integration with Power Automate and Model-Driven Apps.
• Working knowledge of Git for source control including branching, pull requests, code review, and merge conflict resolution; hands-on experience with GitHub and GitLab for managing repositories, CI/CD pipelines, and collaborative development of automation scripts and solutions.
• Working knowledge of relational database concepts and SQL for querying, reporting, and integrating structured data into automated workflows and API-driven solutions.
• Ability to evaluate and select the appropriate data platform (Dataverse, SharePoint Lists, SQL) based on solution requirements, scalability needs, and M365 ecosystem context.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to gather and clarify requirements, including leading discovery conversations, asking targeted questions to surface unstated needs, and translating business problems into actionable technical designs.
• Ability to assess scope, constraints, and stakeholder priorities to propose solutions that balance technical best practices with practical delivery timelines.
• Works effectively across all levels of an organisation, from end users and business analysts to developers and platform architects; skilled at leading discovery sessions and translating complex technical concepts into clear, accessible language for non-technical audiences.
• Practical experience with testing methodologies including unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end (E2E) testing; demonstrated ability to embed testing practices into development workflows to ensure reliability and maintainability of automation scripts, API integrations, and M365 customisations.
• Experience working in agile or iterative delivery environments, managing multiple priorities and adapting to evolving requirements.
• Experience working with both technical and non-technical clients.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities while working under pressure to meet critical, time sensitive deadlines.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.

Beyond technical skills, we value strong interpersonal and problem-solving capabilities:

• Collaboration: Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to efficiently and effectively accomplish specific objectives targeted at defined business outcomes. Openly encourages other team members to voice their ideas and concerns. Shows respect for differences and diversity, and disagrees without personalising issues. Utilises strengths of team members to achieve optimal performance.
• Communication for Results: Conducts discussions with and writes memoranda to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in ways that support troubleshooting and problem solving. Seeks and shares relevant information, opinions, and judgements. Handles conflict empathetically. Explains the context of interrelated situations, asks probing questions, and solicits multiple sources of advice prior to taking action when appropriate.
• Problem Solving: Applies problem-solving methodologies and tools to diagnose and solve operational and interpersonal problems. Determines the potential causes of the problem and devises testing methodologies for validation. Shows empathy and objectivity toward individuals involved in the issue. Analyses multiple alternatives, risks, and benefits for a range of potential solutions. Recommends resource requirements and collaborates with impacted stakeholders.
• Accountability: Sets objectives that meet organisational needs. Provides recommendations to individuals and teams on ways to improve performance and meet defined objectives. Monitors and provides feedback on individual and team performance against defined standards.
• Business Process Knowledge: Maps full business processes and designs operational process flow. Facilitates group input and drafts proposals for process improvements. Identifies resource implications. Implements process improvement recommendations within the context of overall business processes.

The team

You will be joining the UBC IT Collaboration Services team, a vital part of the University's Information Technology department. This team provides a comprehensive suite of enterprise communication and collaboration services to the entire University community, including Microsoft 365, Email, Calendaring, Content Management, Voice Services, and Emergency Notification Systems. You will work both independently and jointly within this team, providing leadership on assignments as required.

Collaboration is at the heart of our work. You will collaborate with management and staff across all sections of UBC Information Technology, as well as other administrative and academic offices and faculty, to coordinate systems development and enhancement projects. Direct interaction with other University technology professionals will be a regular part of your role. You will report to the Manager, Collaboration Services, receiving day-to-day direction, with strategic guidance from the Senior Product Manager, Collaboration Services. You may also receive daily direction from the Team Lead or Project Manager as assigned, and are expected to contribute actively and collaborate openly as a team member. You will also provide guidance and technical leadership to other technical team members and may supervise and evaluate the work of other IT staff or contract vendor staff.