Innovation Business Analyst

Description

About us:

ConnectOne Bank proves that putting people first is a better way to do business. At ConnectOne, we’re builders — of businesses, communities, and equity. Most importantly, we’re building opportunities. Our mission is to ensure our employees feel empowered to make important decisions, reach their potential and truly make an impact.

ConnectOne is a growth organization by design; it is part of our DNA and we take pride in seeing our employees grow with us. Founded in 2005 by an entrepreneur, we have grown into a high-performing commercial bank, inspiring a new model for our industry’s future. By embracing technology and all the ways it can help us become a world-class service organization, we support small business owners by fueling their mission. 

People First is the blueprint for our culture. It is at the foundation of everything we do and the decisions we make. At ConnectOne, 

you have the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic culture and team. Develop your forward-thinking skills, thrive in an entrepreneurial setting, and succeed at “a better place to be”. 

ConnectOne Bank is an Equal Housing and Equal Opportunity Lender, and a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

About this role:

The Innovation Business Analyst will play a critical role in advancing ConnectOne Bank’s innovation strategy by helping translate business challenges, client needs, operational friction, and emerging technology opportunities into executable solutions.

This role sits at the intersection of banking, fintech, payments, strategy, AI, automation, data, product thinking, and operational execution. The ideal candidate is naturally curious, highly analytical, commercially minded, and energized by the transformation taking place across financial services. They should be equally comfortable evaluating internal workflows, mapping technical requirements, supporting pilot programs, working with vendors, and helping business lines rethink how banking products and services are delivered.

At ConnectOne, innovation is not solely modernization. It is about building smarter, more scalable, and more client-centered ways to operate. This role will support initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce friction, enhance the client and employee experience, strengthen operational discipline, and help the Bank continue evolving as a forward-thinking financial institution.

The Innovation Business Analyst will work closely with digital banking, product owners, technology partners, business line leaders, operations, risk, compliance, and external fintech vendors to move ideas from concept to pilot to implementation. The role requires someone who can bridge strategy and execution, ask thoughtful questions, document requirements with precision, challenge outdated processes, and help mobilize teams toward practical outcomes.

This position is ideal for someone interested in becoming deeply engaged in the fintech ecosystem while also learning how innovation is responsibly deployed inside a regulated financial institution.

In this role you will: 

• Support the Bank’s “People First” focus and rules of engagement—maintaining a professional demeanor, working as an active member of the CNOB team, providing all clients excellent service, always striving to make CNOB “A Better Place to Be”.
• Support the Bank’s innovation roadmap by identifying and advancing initiatives that improve client experience, employee experience, operational efficiency, scalability, and revenue opportunity.
• Serve as a central point of coordination between Innovation, business lines, operations, IT, risk, compliance, product teams, and external vendors.
• Translate business needs and strategic priorities into clear requirements, project plans, workstreams, timelines, and implementation steps.
• Analyze current-state workflows, systems, handoffs, data flows, and pain points to identify opportunities for process redesign, automation, and technology enablement.
• Design future-state workflows that improve speed, consistency, transparency, scalability, and client delivery.
• Lead or support structured pilot programs, including scoping, requirements gathering, testing, feedback collection, measurement, and post-pilot evaluation.
• Evaluate opportunities to use AI, automation, data, APIs, fintech integrations, and banking technology to reduce friction and create more intelligent workflows.
• Support vendor and technology assessments, including business fit, integration requirements, user experience, scalability, risk, compliance, and operational impact.
• Document business, functional, technical, operational, and compliance-related requirements.
• Coordinate testing, training needs, adoption plans, issue tracking, and implementation readiness.
• Monitor fintech, banking technology, AI, payments, digital banking, and client experience trends to inform innovation priorities.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and translate business needs for technical partners.
• Promote a culture of curiosity, experimentation, continuous improvement, and practical innovation.

Must haves: 

• Strong “People First” interest and ability.
• Knowledge of relevant Federal and State banking regulations.
• Strong understanding of modern software development life cycles and system connectivity.
• Working knowledge of core banking systems, API integrations, and cloud-based solutions.
• Proven experience in product strategy development and implementation
• Strong understanding of market trends, client needs, and business objectives
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to drive cultural change and promote innovation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Prior experience in a product led organization preferred
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with ability to articulate complex ideas to diverse audiences
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to develop and manage budgets
• Expertise in requirements gathering, data modeling, and business process mapping.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple innovation workstreams simultaneously.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across cross-functional teams, including IT, security, and business operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team-oriented environments.
• Proven ability to challenge the status quo and completely redesign foundational business processes.
• Ability to prioritize assignments and multi-task in a fast-paced innovation environment.

Bonus Points For:

• Undergraduate degree preferred 
• 5+ years of experience in business analysis, product management, fintech, banking operations, technology implementation, consulting, digital transformation, or a related field preferred.
• Familiarity with AI, automation, API integrations, digital banking platforms, core banking systems, or fintech partnerships 

Additional information

Benefits:

• World class health, vision, and dental benefits on day one
• 401k with employer match
• Hybrid work from home (depending on role)
• Employee appreciation events (team building, softball games, food truck days, etc..)
• Employee assistance programs (EAP)
• Wellness programs (flu shot, preventive care, health programs and services discounts, etc..)
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Employee Discount perks
• CNOB Community Service Events

….and much, much more!

Studies have shown that individuals from underrepresented groups, may only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Roles evolve over time, especially with innovation, and you may be just the person we need. We hope you're open to learning new skills and growing with us. We encourage you to apply to continue making us “a better place to be!”

ConnectOne Bank is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate with respect to any term, condition or privilege of employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, or status of an individual in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

ConnectOne Bank also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Talent Acquisition.