Business Systems Productivity Lead

Position Overview The Business Systems & Productivity Lead is a strategic and hands-on role focused on optimizing workflows, enhancing staff efficiency, and delivering actionable insights through technology. This role ensures the Earth Fund maximizes its IT environment and enterprise applications, while evaluating and implementing emerging tools, including AI platforms, for productivity and collaboration. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Accounting, the Lead partners across Operations and Program teams to streamline processes, ensure data integrity and support staff adoption of digital tools. Acting as a bridge between business users and technical teams, the Lead translates needs into requirements, manages application vendors, and ensures successful implementation and adoption of solutions. Key Responsibilities Business Systems & Process Optimization Partner with Operations and Program teams to analyze workflows and recommend improvements using technology. Elicit, document, and translate business requirements into user stories, workflows, and technical specifications. Configure, optimize, and maintain enterprise applications (e.g., Microsoft 365, CRM, HRIS, AI and other collaboration tools). Coordinate with application vendors to ensure systems meet evolving business needs. Lead or support Agile practices (e.g., backlog grooming, sprint planning) and coach staff on Agile adoption. Ensure system changes are tested, documented, and communicated before rollout. Data Governance, Reporting & Analytics Maintain data integrity across platforms through validation, audit, and reconciliation processes. Design and maintain dashboards, KPIs, and reports using Power BI or similar tools. Support cross-functional data integration efforts to reduce duplication and improve accuracy. Conduct root cause analysis for data issues and recommend remediation strategies. Evaluate and recommend data governance policies, including retention and compliance requirements. Productivity & Staff Enablement Champion adoption of Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Power Automate) and other collaboration technologies. Develop and deliver training programs, user guides, and onboarding materials tailored to staff roles. Create communication and change management plans to support technology rollouts and process changes. Monitor staff feedback and usage to continuously improve tool adoption and staff experience. Emerging Technology & AI Evaluate AI-powered productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) for scalability and organizational impact. Pilot and assess new technologies, ensuring alignment with security, compliance, and governance standards. Collaborate with the IT Operations Manager to ensure AI tools are implemented securely on scalable infrastructure (Productivity Lead = adoption/productivity; Ops Manager = security/governance). Stay current on industry trends in business systems, automation, and digital transformation. Performs other duties assigned. Skills and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience considered. 5+ years of experience in business systems analysis, enterprise application support, or IT project management. Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 administration and configuration. Experience with data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau). Familiarity with business process modeling tools (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart). Familiarity with AI-enabled productivity tools and an understanding of how to apply them in a business setting to support workflow optimization and staff productivity. Knowledge of Agile methodologies and experience writing user stories and managing backlogs. Experience with enterprise systems such as CRM (e.g., Dynamics), HRIS (e.g., ADP), and grantmaking platforms (e.g., Fluxx). Understanding of database structures, SQL, Fabric (OneLake), and cloud/SaaS environments. Excellent analytical, communication, and stakehol