Cognos Admin

Job Title: Cognos Admin

Location: Canada (REMOTE)

Type: Contract

Job Summary:

A Cognos BI & TM1 Admin involves installing, configuring, and maintaining IBM Cognos Analytics environments, including performing upgrades, managing security, and troubleshooting issues along with deep expertise in TM1/Planning Analytics, and strong domain knowledge in DCP (Data Control Platform), FSDM (Financial Services Data Model), and P&L Planning & Analysis. Key responsibilities include ensuring system performance and availability, handling user and group security administration (often via LDAP), managing content stores, and conducting backups and disaster recovery planning. The role requires technical skills in Cognos administration, security implementation, and performance tuning. Also, candidate must play a key role in designing and implementing financial planning solutions that support strategic decision-making across the organization.

Key responsibilities

- Installation and configuration: Install, configure, and administer IBM Cognos Analytics environments (Dispatchers, Gateways, Content Stores) and TM1 environments (Admin Server, TM1 Servers, Planning Analytics Workspace) including development, testing, and production.

Also design, develop, and maintain TM1 models and cubes for financial planning, forecasting, and reporting.

- Upgrades and maintenance: Perform software upgrades, patch management, and regular maintenance to ensure system health.

Develop and maintain ETL processes, data integrations, and automation scripts.

- Performance tuning: Monitor and optimize server performance and conduct regular maintenance to ensure system availability.

Implement and optimize P&L planning solutions using TM1 and Cognos BI.

- Security administration: Manage user and group security, including authentication, authorization, and integration with systems like LDAP/Active Directory.

Ensure data accuracy, performance, and security across TM1 applications.

- Content and deployment management: Manage the content store, handle report deployment, bursting, and scheduling.

Work with DCP and FSDM frameworks to ensure data consistency and alignment with financial services standards.

- Backup and recovery: Plan and execute backup, recovery, and disaster recovery procedures for Cognos content and configurations.
- Troubleshooting: Resolve technical issues related to Cognos applications, servers, and integrations.

Provide ongoing support, troubleshooting, and enhancements to existing TM1 models

- Documentation: Prepare and maintain technical documentation for technical specifications, configurations, data flows, migrations, user guides and troubleshooting activities.
- Collaboration: Work with developers, business analysts, and other teams to support reporting needs and implement best practices.

Collaborate with finance and business stakeholders to gather requirements and translate them into scalable BI solutions.

Required skills and experience

- 5+ years of Hands-on experience with Cognos administration, including configuration, content store management, and dispatchers.
- Proficiency in Cognos BI tools (e.g., Framework Manager, Report Studio, Analysis Studio, Query Studio, Dashboards, Data Models.), Cognos TM1/Planning Analytics(TM1 Architect, Perspectives, Turbo Integrator (TI), Cubes, Dimensions, Rules, Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW)) and administration processes.
- Experience with security implementation (authentication, authorization, LDAP integration).
- Knowledge of Cognos logging, auditing, and performance tuning.
- Experience with database platforms like SQL Server or Oracle.
- Understanding of IT processes such as change management, problem resolution, and incident tracking.
- Proven ability to lead and manage larger teams in different GEO regions.
- Should have a clear understanding and working experience in SDLC, CI/CD, Agile & Sprint programs.
- Ability to Co-ordinate with Application and Platform teams, Hyper-Care support, Performance optimization, Unit Test & Integration test support
- Mentor and support other colleagues and L2 team for L3 Technical delivery
- Managing services SLAs like availability (proactive monitoring) and incident resolutions as per SLAs
- Strong client-facing role at the customer location or remotely.