Human Resources HRG158 Issue 2, Page 1 of 7

Further Particulars This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with the application. 1. Role details

Vacancy reference: 8921

Job title: Technical Analyst

Reports to: Head of Business Analysis & Systems

Salary: Up to £31k

Terms and conditions: OUW Ltd

Grade: Hay Band 2

Duration of post: Permanent

Working hours: 37

Location: Milton Keynes

Closing date: midday on 17 September 2015

Type of application form accepted: OU Long Application plus Covering Letter

Number of referees required: Minimum of 2

Unit recruitment contact: Lisa Glowacki

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2. Summary of duties

The Company

This role sits within the commercial unit of The Open University, not the academic side. The

Open University needs to become less dependent on government funding. To do this, it needs

to grow and diversify alternative income streams which contribute to the financial sustainability

of the university, and support core teaching, learning and research activities.

Competition for students, staff and funding is intense and global, and students’ expectations

have risen sharply as learners increasingly view themselves as ‘consumers’ of education. The

worldwide popularity of ‘MOOCs’ is increasing international demand for online education and

flexible learning, and The Open University’s reputation for innovative, high quality, scalable

distance education means it is ideally positioned to meet this demand.

The Open University has developed ambitious plans to grow its revenue streams from

international activities, managed through its commercial entity, Open University Worldwide

(OUW). With a market leading range of products, cutting edge technology and a strong,

commercially focused team, this is an exciting time to join OUW.

Purpose Statement The Open University has ambitious plans to grow the number of students and associated revenues from students globally. As part of the Business Development Unit (BDU) the Technical Analyst will be responsible for helping provide, maintain and support IT business systems and associated infrastructure in BDU/OUW, as directed by the Head of Business Analysis & Systems. They will also work alongside the Business Analysts within the BAS team to help provide insight into and day to day reviews of operational performance as well as supporting the effectiveness of a business critical CRM/pipeline management system. This role is critical to the success of the BDU’s growth ambitions. The position will suit an ambitious self-starter with strong technical and analytical abilities and will provide a great opportunity for further development. Main responsibilities

1. Management of small to medium IT projects and work streams of larger IT projects as

agreed with the Head of Business Analysis & Systems.

2. The Post holder will assist the Business Analysts with providing insight to the sales and

marketing teams within the BDU using information both from the pipeline as well as

information contained within the transactional systems.

3. To identify gaps and needs in the existing systems framework and propose solutions to

the Head of Business Analysis & Systems.

4. To produce and maintain user documentation and training material for all BDU

systems.

5. To provide support and maintenance of local BDU systems, internally developed

databases, internal servers (both Windows and Unix) and web applications.

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6. Demonstrate high level of proficiency in the use of CRM systems, in particular

Salesforce.com (SFDC).

7. Assist the Business Analysts in developing and modelling student number scenarios

and identify and monitor performance against agreed KPI’s.

8. Cultivate and manage appropriate relationships and partnerships with organisations

within the University (e.g. BDU Sales, Sales Support, OU IT).

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3. Person specification

Criteria Essential Desirable Measured by A Application B Test C Interview

Education, qualifications and training

A degree (or equivalent qualification), ideally a numerate or IT related degree

Good academic qualifications in a relevant subject area (e.g. IT)

A

Knowledge, work and other relevant experience

Knowledge and experience of web development using technologies such as HTML, VBScript, Javascript and ASP/ASP.Net.

Knowledge and ability to create and customise intranet and project team sites using packages such as SharePoint.

Knowledge and experience of developing systems using Microsoft Access or SQL Server.

Knowledge and ability to create and customise solutions using Salesforce to meet internal and external partner needs.

Knowledge and ability to create and customise websites using content management systems such as Drupal.

Ability to extract and manipulate data from various sources using SAS and Tableau software.

A, B & C

Skills, capabilities and qualities

Highly organised and able to plan and manage your own workload.

Very high attention to detail, and ability to thoroughly test any changes to systems you have made, to ensure only fully completed changes are handed back to business users.

Ability to capture business and user requirements from non-technical users.

Ability to plan and manage small to medium IT projects or work streams.

Ability to work together collaboratively across the unit and with Central IT colleagues.

Ability to comprehend technical aspects of hardware and software and explain them to users in non-technical terms.

A, B & C

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Ability to research and propose technical solutions for problems that have not been encountered previously.

Excellent communication skills for acquiring and understanding information and for its dissemination to colleagues at all levels.

Ability to create project management documentation, such as Business Cases, risks and issues logs, progress reports.

Ability to apply time management techniques, both to self and to assigning tasks in projects.

Broad understanding of the use of IT in business, with ability to understand and explain technical IT issues to non-technical colleagues.

Analytical outlook and commercial acumen.

Solid and broad IT skills including advanced Excel and database interrogation.

Commitment to first-class customer service to deliver the highest quality of work and support to the unit.

Special working conditions

Additional requirements

To undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required.

To take reasonable care of the Health & Safety of themselves and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or ommisions at work.

To demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity

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5. About the unit/department

Open University Worldwide

It is essential The Open University continues to become less dependent on government

funding. To do this it manages a balancing act: supporting teaching, learning and open

access as well as funding and developing top level research.

Competition for students, staff and funding is intense and global, and students’

expectations have risen sharply as learners increasingly view themselves as

‘consumers’ of education. The demand for top class facilities and services is growing,

as are expectations for flexible learning patterns and qualifications that will really make

a difference to careers.

The Open University has developed ambitious plans to grow associated revenues

through its commercial entity, Open University Worldwide (OUW).

With a market leading range of products, cutting edge technology and a strong, commercially focused team, this is an exciting time to join the OUW. OUW Ltd is part of The Open University’s Business Development Unit (BDU)

The Business Development Unit

The aim of the Business Development Unit is to create and implement a profitable commercial and international strategy for the Open University

The BDU is working to construct and implement the overall business development strategy for the OU both in the UK and internationally. This activity includes improved partnerships with business development efforts in faculties and in the nations and regions.

The unit has two core activity streams:

• To deliver sustainable net revenue streams for the OU through developing existing and as yet undeveloped new markets

• To be a customer-focused business, generating significant growth of revenue. The rate of growth will be governed by the BDU’s Unit Plan, which will set achievable targets for increasing both income and profitability.

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6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process

If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please contact Steve Fletcher on email stephen.fletcher@open.ac.uk

If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Lisa Glowacki on email lisa.glowacki@open.ac.uk.

7. The application process and where to send completed applications

Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: midday on 17 September 2015

Post it to:

Name/Job title: Lisa Glowacki, EPA to the Commercial Director

Department/Unit: Open University Worldwide Ltd

Address: The Business Development Unit

1st Floor, East Perry Building

Walton Hall

Milton Keynes

Post Code: MK7 6AA

Or e-mail your application to: bdu-staffing@open.ac.uk

8. Selection process and date of interview

The interview panel will be chaired by Mike Dutton, Director Strategic Planning and Resources. The other members of the interview panel will be Steve Fletcher, Head of Business Analysis & Systems and Liz Williams, Data Development Manager.

The interview will take place on Thursday 1 October 2015.

The selection process for this post may include a test to be undertaken at the interview by the candidate, all instruction will be provided at the interview and there is no pre-preparation that needs to be undertaken.

We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.