Business Analyst – SME with Finastra Global PAYplus

Business Analyst – SME with Finastra Global PAYplus Location: Remote(need to visit client location (Jersey City, NJ 07302) when needed) Job Type: Contract Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Business Analyst (Subject Matter Expert) with strong expertise in Global Payments Platform (GPP) and payment processing. The ideal candidate will work closely with business stakeholders, product owners, and technology teams to gather requirements, analyze business processes, and support the implementation of payment solutions. The candidate should possess deep knowledge of domestic and cross-border payment systems, ISO 20022 messaging, and banking payment operations. Key Responsibilities • Collaborate with business stakeholders to gather, analyze, and document business requirements. • Translate business needs into functional specifications, user stories, and acceptance criteria. • Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Business Analyst – SME with Finastra Global PAYplus • Analyze payment workflows and recommend process improvements. • Support implementation and enhancement of payment processing applications. • Work with development, QA, and operations teams throughout the SDLC. • Conduct impact analysis for system enhancements and regulatory changes. • Participate in requirement walkthroughs, design reviews, and UAT activities. • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery. • Prepare business process flows, BRDs, FRDs, and process documentation. • Assist in production support and issue resolution related to payment processing. Required Skills • 10+ years of Business Analysis experience in Banking or Financial Services. • Strong expertise in Global Payments Platform (GPP). • Deep understanding of payment processing lifecycle. • Experience with domestic and international payment systems. • Knowledge of SWIFT, SEPA, Fedwire, CHIPS, ACH, and Real-Time Payments (RTP). • Experience with ISO 20022 messaging standards. • Strong knowledge of payment hubs and transaction processing. • Experience creating: • Business Requirement Documents (BRD) • Functional Requirement Documents (FRD) • User Stories • Use Cases • Process Flow Diagrams • Experience with Agile and Scrum methodologies. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. Preferred Skills • Experience with payment modernization initiatives. • Knowledge of APIs and payment integrations. • Experience with Jira and Confluence. • Understanding of SQL for data validation. • Familiarity with cloud-based payment platforms. • Exposure to regulatory compliance including AML, KYC, and sanctions screening. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Computer Science, or a related field. • CBAP, PMI-PBA, or Agile certifications are a plus. • Experience working with large banking or financial institutions. Nice to Have • Experience with payment orchestration platforms. • Knowledge of Open Banking. • Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP). • Experience with digital payments and fintech solutions.