Group Application Systems Manager

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Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £43,116 - £47,076 (depending on skills and experience)

Contract Type: Open ended (permanent)

Hours: Full time

Location: Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4AD

Closing date: 15th October 2024

Together, our scientist, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it's sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you're surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

The STFC Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Group depends on a suite of IT solutions that underpin the effective SHE management by managers, staff and those that work with us on our sites: tenants; contractors; and science collaborators. These systems are critical to effective and efficient SHE management.

We have an opportunity for an enthusiastic, dynamic, versatile and innovative software systems applications manager/developer to join the small SHE Group here at our Daresbury Laboratory near Warrington. The successful candidate will manage the delivery and on-going development of any software applications that support and improve STFC's SHE management, from the development and delivery of on-line training solutions and provision of management information to exploitation of third-party cloud based software systems and managing website development.

Although part of the SHE Group, you will work with STFC software professionals and software suppliers to ensure the provision of IT services to SHE Group and our customers. We are currently using SharePoint on-line, Office365 (Excel in particular), Moodle (Totara), and proprietary third party IT systems, for example our general safety management system (SHE Assure) and Occupational Health management system.

Responsibilities

Lead and champion how IT solutions can be better employed to drive improvement in the operational effectiveness of SHE Group, and better communicate and implement SHE management systems across STFC sites to staff and those that work with us

Reviewing current SHE IT solutions and identifying how these will be developed in future and how competing or alternative software solutions can improve (or threaten) the implementation of STFC SHE management systems and processes.

Engaging on behalf of SHE Group with those responsible for the development of STFC (and UKRI) IT corporate architecture to ensure consistency

Project managing the implementation and thereafter manage the on-going development of all third party cloud based software applications, their: procurement; installation; customisation (including a GUI and workflow that provide a great user experience); capture of system implementation documentation; provision of user training; operational availability and management of service providers; and thereafter their continuous improvement to meet evolving SHE Group and customer needs. Examples of current systems include: SHE Assure, Moodle (Totara), and Occupational Health systems

Project managing the implementation and thereafter manage the on-going development of all in-house hosted software applications, their: development (including a GUI and workflow that provides a great user experience); capture of system documentation; launch; provision of user training; operational availability; and thereafter their continuous improvement and development to meet evolving SHE Group and customer needs. Examples of current systems include: SharePoint Online, Articulate Storyline, and Microsoft Office Applications, in particular Excel

Management of the STFC SHE website: understanding its current and future content management systems; for the maintenance of its content, and for its on-going development to more effectively communicate SHE information to users within and outside STFC (UKRI) firewalls. Currently employing SharePoint Online

Stablishing a 'service desk system' for recording SHE IT system issues analysing and resolving issues directly, or through others, effectively with robust solutions in a timely manner

Managing and ensuring compliance of STFC Group IT systems, including those provided by third parties, with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and STFC (UKRI) IT security policies

Provide first line support for SHE Group in all IT matters directly, or through others, ensuring SHE Group's capability to exploit IT systems is maximised, providing advice and as appropriate bespoke training solutions on a 1:1 or group basis

Manage the SHE Group IT budget managing and forecasting current spend, and developing future budgets while seeking opportunities for cost improvement

Manage the key sources of SHE Management Information (MI) able to interrogate them, to streamline back end processing, and develop ad hoc and routine management SHE reports.

Personal Skills and Attributes

You will be a committed and experienced IT professional, ideally with significant experience of at least two of the current IT systems.

You will have a professional approach, and an analytical, logical and quick learning thinker able to communicate clearly with fellow IT professionals and non-technical colleagues alike both verbally and in written form.

You will have a "can do" attitude and be highly motivated to develop and maintain operational software systems focused on and responding to the needs of users.

You will have had experience in application development and/or customisation of third party IT software to meet customer needs.

Ideally you will have had experience of IT system project implementation across complex organisations: from understanding customer needs, procuring, developing, configuring and testing systems, deploying systems including the provision of training and training materials, and thereafter acting as system owner resolving issues and ensuring systems are developed to meet customer needs.

Ideally you will have experience of developing on-line IT training packages and/or delivering IT training. While an understanding of SHE management is not essential a willingness to engage with the subject and acquire sufficient knowledge of how SHE management systems work will be essential to effectively undertake this role and integrate with the SHE team.

Above all you will be a problem solver, able to understand and analyse IT problems and implement considered and robust root cause technical solutions.

You will likely have wide experience of IT able to turn your hand to project management, systems implementation, system management, system development and training.

Essential shortlisting criteria

• Degree or equivalent experience in computer science, software engineering, or strongly related subject

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Experience of at least two of the software systems

• Experience of IT project management and implementation

• Ability to take initiative and proactive attitude to problem solving with an analytical and logical approach

• Ability to work independently and within a dynamic, agile team environment on several projects at once

• Ability to learn quickly and share love of new tools and technologies

• Strong customer focus, agreeing requirements and delivering against these.

Desirable

• ITIL Foundation or prepared to work towards it within first 12 months

• Knowledge and/or experience of agile software development

• Experience with SQL and relational databases,

• Experience using software testing frameworks

• Experience in customer requirements capture, analysis, and specification

• Experience in modern, responsive web development

• Experience in working with customers

• Ability to develop on-line training packages.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, this is a place where there's always something new to learn - about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself.

Join us and discover what's possible by submitting your CV and covering letter which outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for STFC and the role.

If you would like to discuss this role informally, please contact Graeme Finlan, Head of SHE Group on 01925 603147 or email graeme.finlan@stfc.ac.uk

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel.

We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovations (UKRI)

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .

Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.