Consulting Manager – Business Systems Analyst (BFSI Payments)

As a Manager, Consulting – Business Systems Analyst (BFSI Payments) , you will play a critical role in bridging our client's financial institution payments business teams and technology partners. You will translate complex payments and clearing business needs into clear functional system requirements, support platform enhancements, and ensure payments technology solutions effectively enable the client's clearing and settlement strategies across SWIFT, CREST Clearing, and CHAPS Direct Clearing .

You will be a valued member of a cross-functional consulting team, working closely with the client's payments and operations stakeholders, technology and engineering partners, and delivery teams to support end-to-end payments and clearing initiatives.

Elicit, document, and manage business and functional requirements, translating financial institution payments and clearing workflows —such as SWIFT messaging, CREST securities settlement, and CHAPS Direct Clearing processing—into BRDs, user stories, use cases, and process flows.

Act as the primary liaison between business and technology teams, supporting sprint planning, backlog grooming, and UAT to ensure payments and clearing platforms meet evolving regulatory and business needs.

Perform system integration analysis and data mapping across payments platforms, ensuring accurate data flow between SWIFT , CREST Clearing , CHAPS Direct Clearing , and downstream settlement, reconciliation, and reporting systems.

Support the design and enhancement of payments technology solutions, including gap analysis, vendor evaluation, and definition of system requirements for clearing, settlement, and payment processing capabilities.

Plan and execute User Acceptance Testing (UAT), including test scripts, defect tracking, and business sign-off, to validate system changes against payments objectives and regulatory/compliance requirements.

Lead and mentor junior BSAs and coordinate cross-workstream dependencies as a Consulting Manager on the engagement.

Experience supporting large-scale payments transformation programs at Tier 1 banks or financial institutions

Exposure to ISO 20022 migration and other payments messaging standards

Ability to analyze and optimize end-to-end clearing and settlement processes and identify automation opportunities

Strong communication skills and comfort working with both business stakeholders and technical teams

Prior consulting experience leading client-facing workstreams

We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position based in Toronto, ON , requiring 3 days per week in the office . Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code . If you require accommodation, please let your recruiter know.