Senior Business Analyst/Product Owner

Senior Business Analyst/Product Owner Location: Oak Brook, IllinoisWork Model: Hybrid – Onsite Tuesday, Wednesday, ThursdayType: Contract-to-Hire (12-month contract prior to conversion to full-time employment. ESOP program available upon conversion to full-time employee)Our client, a well-established organization specializing in transportation, logistics, and rail services, is seeking a Senior Business Analyst / Product Owner to join their team in Oak Brook, IL.Position SummaryThe Senior Business Analyst / Product Owner (Senior BA/PO) is a proactive and highly engaged member of the IT team responsible for the end-to-end ownership of enterprise SaaS applications and solutions. This individual will develop a deep understanding of business processes, organizational goals, vendor capabilities, and technical requirements to ensure applications deliver measurable value across the enterprise.This role combines Business Analysis and Product Ownership responsibilities, supporting the full solution lifecycle including needs assessment, current-state analysis, requirements gathering, solution design, vendor coordination, implementation, optimization, and ongoing support.The Senior BA/PO will also contribute to project coordination, stakeholder communication, vendor management, license and cost oversight, and value realization reporting to ensure SaaS investments are effectively implemented, adopted, and continuously improved.Key ResponsibilitiesServe as the primary liaison between business stakeholders, IT teams, and SaaS vendors by developing a strong understanding of business objectives, platform capabilities, and future-state IT strategies. Partner with business and IT teams to evaluate, select, and onboard new SaaS solutions from initial assessment through go-live. Own the functional and product management responsibilities for assigned enterprise applications, including prioritization, enhancement planning, backlog management, and roadmap alignment. Elicit, analyze, and document business requirements using various techniques, translating findings into functional requirements, technical specifications, user stories, and acceptance criteria. Support solution design efforts by evaluating platform configurations, integrations, process improvements, and cost-benefit tradeoffs. Create and maintain key project artifacts including workflows, solution documentation, requirements, testing documentation, and reporting metrics. Support the full application lifecycle including intake, implementation, enhancements, upgrades, support, and retirement activities. Monitor vendor performance and SLA compliance, escalating and resolving issues as needed. Coordinate delivery activities across IT, security, vendors, and business stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and adoption. Develop and deliver communications, presentations, testing materials, deployment updates, training documentation, and project status reporting. Investigate system and process issues through analytical troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and collaboration with internal and external teams. Manage vendor relationships by clarifying requirements, coordinating support efforts, maintaining awareness of product roadmaps, and escalating concerns when appropriate. Identify business and industry trends through data analysis, stakeholder feedback, vendor insights, and independent research to drive continuous improvement. Define and track meaningful metrics related to system adoption, operational performance, cost management, and business value realization. Promote collaboration, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across business and IT teams. QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, or a related field preferred. 5–7+ years of experience in Business Analysis, Product Ownership, enterprise application delivery, or related roles. Strong understanding of enterprise business processes, SaaS platforms, and IT delivery environments. Experience working in Agile and Scrum environments with iterative, backlog-driven delivery methodologies preferred. Required Skills & ExperienceCommunication & CollaborationExceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage business stakeholders, technical teams, and external vendors. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and maintain productive relationships across cross-functional teams. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining professionalism and responsiveness. Business Analysis & Product OwnershipExperience gathering, documenting, and translating business requirements into technical solutions. Ability to bridge communication between business and technical teams with a solid understanding of IT systems and terminology. Experience with: Business process analysis Requirements gathering and documentation Data analysis and reporting SaaS administration, configuration, and integrations Enterprise application lifecycle management Solution design and user experience considerations Technical SkillsSQL and data visualization experience strongly preferred. Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to make informed decisions in ambiguous situations. Vendor & Stakeholder ManagementExperience managing vendor relationships and holding vendors accountable for deliverables and service quality. Ability to confidently navigate difficult conversations while maintaining strong working relationships. Proven ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders to gather feedback and drive solution delivery. Additional InformationThis role includes a strong mix of Project Management, Business Analysis, and Product Ownership responsibilities. The individual will support multiple enterprise systems, including Intact and Workday, and will be responsible for staying current on platform updates, managing vendor relationships, and driving continuous improvements across supported applications.Success in this role requires excellent communication, follow-through, responsiveness, and relationship management skills. The ideal candidate will bring a collaborative approach, strong business and technical acumen, and the confidence to effectively partner with both internal teams and external vendors.BenefitsMedical Insurance – Four plans to choose from for you and your familyDental and Orthodontia BenefitsVision BenefitsHealth Savings Account (HSA)Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)Voluntary Life Insurance, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability InsuranceHospital Indemnity Insurance401(k) Retirement PlanPaid Sick Time LeaveLegal and Identity Protection PlansPre-tax Commuter Benefit529 College Savings PlanMotion Recruitment Partners (MRP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants must be currently authorized to work on a full-time basis in the country for which they are applying; no sponsorship is currently available. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment screening.Accommodation will be provided throughout the hiring process as required under MRP’s Employment Accommodation Policy. Applicants are encouraged to make accommodation needs known in advance.