Position Overview:

The Senior Business Analyst (Consultant) will support Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) data, AI, and digital enablement initiatives by leading business analysis, requirements development, and value articulation for three priority projects: CPS Assist, Districtwide AI Readiness Framework, and AI University Foundational Set-up. This role serves as a strategic partner to IT, instructional, and central office teams, and translating complex operational and technical needs into clear requirements, scalable frameworks, and compelling business cases. The analyst will focus on improving transparency, readiness, and adoption of AI-enabled tools and learning ecosystems while ensuring solutions deliver measurable value to schools, staff, and the district.

Key Responsibilities:

Value Identification & Quantification:

· Assess current workflows, data sources, and system limitations related to CPS Assist, AI readiness, and AI learning initiatives.

· Quantify time savings, efficiency gains, workforce readiness improvements, and scalability benefits across school, network, and district levels.

· Develop value frameworks that capture operational, instructional, and workforce impacts of AI enablement and support tools.

· Identify opportunities for automation, reduced manual effort, improved transparency, and more informed decision-making.

· Model current-state pain points and future-state benefits using measurable indicators and baseline data.

Impact Storytelling & Business Case Development:

· Craft clear, compelling narratives that connect district challenges to CPS Assist, AI readiness, and AI University solutions.

· Translate technical and data-driven insights into accessible language for school leaders, executives, and non-technical stakeholders.

· Produce executive- and board-ready materials including briefing documents, presentations, and progress updates.

· Pair quantitative findings with qualitative insights to build persuasive business cases supporting continued investment in AI and digital learning initiatives.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Activation:

· Lead requirements elicitation through interviews, workshops, and discovery sessions with IT, academics, operations, and school-level staff.

· Document user journeys, process flows, and current-to-future-state models for all in-scope projects.

· Serve as a translator between technical teams and business users to ensure shared understanding and alignment.

· Support change management through clear messaging and documentation that explains purpose, value, and expected outcomes.

Business Case Development & Requirements Leadership

· Lead end-to-end requirements development, including functional requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, and future-state workflows.

· Validate feasibility and alignment with district policy, governance, and instructional priorities.

· Support vendor and partner discussions as needed by documenting system capabilities, integration needs, and operational impacts.

Project Responsibilities & Key Deliverables:

Project 1:CPS Assist

· Conduct current-state analysis of CPS Assist workflows, use cases, and data inputs.

· Define functional and non-functional requirements supporting scalable support, guidance, and

· AI-assisted assistance models.

· Document success metrics related to efficiency, responsiveness, and user adoption.

Key Deliverables

· CPS Assist requirements documentation

· Current- and future-state workflow maps

· Value and impact assessment tied to operational efficiency and user support

Project 2: Districtwide AI Readiness Framework

· Lead the development of an AI Readiness Framework aligned to literacy, tech readiness, and workforce competencies.

· Map existing data sources, identify gaps, and design a manual + automated data collection workflow.

· Build the Tier Calculator logic and business rules for school classification.

· Partner with communications teams to support transparent public reporting.

Key Deliverables

· Published AI Governance Framework

· AI Readiness Assessment Tool (school + district)

· AI Readiness Metrics + data definitions

· Workflow + requirements for manual entry tools and existing data ingestion

· Tier Calculator business logic and documentation

· Support Strategy Blueprint (not execution)

Project 3: Districtwide AI Learning Ecosystem (AI University)

· Conduct current-state analysis on district AI literacy and staff/student needs.

· Define enhanced badge pathways, including learning outcomes and progression requirements.

· Lead requirements for AI Literacy modules integrated into Skyline.

· Facilitate partnership scoping with AI Advisory Council organizations.

· Document technical and operational needs for an AI University Digital Hub and physical Community Center.

Key Deliverables

· AI Literacy Module Requirements + Integration Plan

· Badge Pathway Requirements (Foundations, Explorer, Innovator)

· AI University Digital Hub functional requirements

· AI Community Center Scoping Report

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· Districtwide AI Learning Pathways + Scope & SequenceData Impact Analysis Report: A detailed report quantifying the operational and financial impacts of the projects citing specific examples from school operations and state-level reporting.

· A Collection of Data-Backed Anecdotes: A portfolio of powerful, vetted stories with supporting metrics that leadership can use in presentations to secure funding and drive engagement.

· Value Management Presentation: A final summary presentation for project leadership that synthesizes all quantitative and qualitative findings into a compelling business case for continued investment in data quality

Performance Milestones:

· Complete onboarding and training, including any certification requirements, with the goal of achieving business analysis certification if not already achieved.

· Participate in weekly check-ins with the Manager, IT Business Partnership to report on progress, challenges, and accomplishments.

· Provide weekly progress reports on all projects, including time spent, challenges encountered, and status updates.

· Establish strong relationships with business units to enhance collaboration and ensure alignment with CPS-specific tools and practices.

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Qualifications:

Education:

· Bachelor's degree in Business, Information Technology, or related field.

· Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

· 5+ years of experience in business analysis, preferably within the public sector or large institutions.

· 5+ years of experience in information technology, preferably within the public sector or large institutions.

· Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

· Proficiency in developing business cases, conducting feasibility studies, and facilitating project documentation.

· Experience with data governance, workflow optimization, AI/ML initiatives, or EdTech strongly preferred.

· Previous work experience with Chicago Public Schools is highly preferred.

Skills:

· Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with the ability to synthesize data from various sources.

· Demonstrated ability to translate complex data analysis into clear, compelling narratives and business cases for a non-technical audience.

· Strong communication, meeting facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear business terms.

· Very strong writing abilities.

· Very strong ability to create presentations with a quality design.

· Expertise in Excel and Google Sheets.

· Expertise in business analysis tools (e.g., requirements documentation, data flow mapping, process modeling).

· Strong project management and organizational skills.

· Ability to self-manage, handle competing priorities and ensure on-time project delivery.

· Familiarity with IT project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and project management software to track and report on project status and manage requirements, timelines and deliverables.

Preferred Certifications:

· Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

· PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

· Advanced requirements gathering, process mapping, and documentation.

· Strong analytical skills with the ability to quantify benefits and model impact.

· Ability to synthesize complex information into executive-ready presentations.

· Proficiency with data tools (SQL, BI tools such as Tableau/Power BI).

· Familiarity with enterprise systems (Oracle, Aspen, SIS/LMS platforms).

· Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management.

· Ability to translate ambiguous problems into structured solutions.