Job description

Job title: Reports to:

Lead Developer CIO

Overall purpose:
The Lead Developers role is to lead a small team of developers and act as technical architect. Agile/SCRUM techniques are used by the team and the Lead Developer must be able to act as Scrummaster to aid the introduction and delivery of this technique. This role remains hands-on and the Lead Developer must also spend time writing code alongside other developers. Team workload includes researching, architecting, gathering requirements, designing, documenting, and modifying software throughout the complete production life cycle. Also to analyse and amend production software errors in a timely and accurate fashion, and provide status reports where required. The Lead Developer forms part of the CIOs IT management team and contribute to the overall management of the department.

Scope:
The jobholder will lead a team that develops and tests robust business critical applications within a complex rapidly changing business and technical environment. Applications are mainly web-based and are increasingly multi-lingual covering a number of European, and other, languages. On line applications include psychometric assessments, scoring algorithms, report generators, hybrid reports from multiple assessments, data warehouse and eCommerce website. Business system applications are provided by an ERP package, data warehouse, time management and scheduling systems covering the majority of the business. Integration between customer systems and business systems form an important aspect of the role, with the Lead Developer having overall responsibility for architecture and integration between these environments. Typically work on 2 3 projects at the same time following development standards and project procedures. Carry out business and technical analysis, prepare own specifications and may lead projects (typically of 1 to 3 months duration) involving both IT and staff from other departments. Applications are provided for any client or potential client thus are critical to promote the professional image of OPP throughout the UK, Europe and globally. The job holder has no direct financial responsibility but has an impact on client satisfaction, repeat business, new business and promoting OPP across UK and Europe.

Lead Developer, February 2012

Principal accountabilities:
1. Lead a team of developers in developing, maintaining, and testing OPP Assessment and related applications using Agile development techniques (SCRUM). Analyse issues to identify the scope and impact of new requirements or enhancing existing systems. Work with team to design and implement long-term strategic goals and short-term tactical plans for managing and maintaining applications. Work with the team to plan projects and determine resource requirements. Design, code, inspect and test program modules to meet the criteria and deliverables identified within the software specification to the required quality and timescale. Recommend (and implement if appropriate) suitable development and test environments. Testing of own, other OPP developed systems and third party systems involving multiple inputs and outputs. Ensure all specified functionality has been delivered and all performance constraints have been met. Support and maintain Customer Systems software. This includes interfaces between business systems and on line applications. Plan and execute load, performance, functional and security testing on Customer Systems platforms. Implement software solutions to achieve required business benefit with minimum impact on OPP and client usage of existing applications. Assist in the preparation and documentation of program requirements and specifications Maintain an up to date knowledge of new products and development strategies, recommend any appropriate use to enhance OPP services. Provide and maintain software development development of departmental strategies. standards and participate in the

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Provide technical expertise and support for the IT team and the business as required. Produce reports for management as required Carry out other such duties as may reasonably be required, commensurate with the grade of this post

This job profile is current as at the date shown below. In consultation with the post holder it is liable to variation by management to reflect or anticipate changes in or to the job.

Lead Developer, February 2012

Person Specification -

Factor

Essential

Desirable

Means of Assessment CV and Interview

Professional qualifications/ training

1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent through professional qualifications and experience) 2. Microsoft certifications (i.e. MCSD or at least 2 MCPs)

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Additional Microsoft certifications (i.e. MCPDEAD and MCDBA)

Relevant experience

1. Significant I.T. development experience using Microsoft technologies supporting and developing business critical applications. 2. Proven track record of leading a development team 3. Significant experience working with Microsoft SQL server databases 4. Experience of working on all phases of a project lifecycle from business analysis through to implementation and support. 5. Experience of Agile SCRUM development

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Manage the full project lifecycle experience of a major business critical project.

CV and interview

Knowledge

1. Database design and data normalisation 2. Business analysis skills to gather, validate and document business needs. Recommend alternative solutions to meet business requirements. 3. Integrating on line applications with internal business systems and processes.

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Psychometric assessment Knowledge of a similar business including products, systems, production flow, data structures and business areas. Maintaining and developing good client and associate relationships

CV and interview

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Lead Developer, February 2012

Job specific skills

1. High quality software development skills principally using Microsoft programming tools including C#, ASP.Net, .Net 3.5, SQL server 2008, IIS, HTML, JavaScript, XML. 2. Developed applications using SQLServer, including views and stored procedures, and provided on going support or administration 3. Structured programming techniques. 4. Technical analysis - use analytical techniques to obtain user requirements, root causes of problems, analyse alternatives, provide cost-benefit analyses, recommend and implement solutions. 5. Plan and manage own workload, working with other IT teams, by preparing project plans and breaking down tasks into manageable units. Typical projects will be up to 3 months duration with set time and budget constraints. 6. IT security issues and solutions both hardware and software. (including Internet)

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General skills in other Microsoft products (i.e. SharePoint, Biztalk, Commerce server) Apply technical skills through a professional, structured development methodology. Working with third party providers of applications and integrating with internal business systems.

CV and interview

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Competencies

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Technology orientation Interpersonal effectiveness Problem solving and judgement Managing and leading Team working Planning and organisation Innovation and initiative

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Passion, commitment and drive Resilience and flexibility Written communication Integrity Commercial Focus Client Focus Self development

Interview and psychometric assessment

Special requirements

European language skills

Interview and psychometric assessment

Lead Developer, February 2012

Summary of main terms and conditions of employment

The terms and conditions of employment applying to the position are as follows:

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Salary
Commensurate with experience

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Benefits
25 days paid holiday, plus up to five days unpaid leave per annum Free individual private healthcare or dental cover Group personal pension scheme where OPP matches individual contributions between 3% and 5% (eligible to join after three months) Life assurance, paying four times salary Parking available on site Employee Assistance Programme Child care voucher scheme

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The contractual notice for staff in the above post is two months on either side. The probationary period is 3 months. Hours of work: 37 hours per week. Some adjustment to hours may be possible to accommodate those requiring flexibility.

Applications
To apply, please send/email your CV with a covering letter to the Human Resources Department, OPP Ltd, Elsfield Hall, 15-17 Elsfield Way, OX2 8EP. Email: - careers@opp.eu.com For further information, visit the OPP Website at www.opp.eu.com

Lead Developer, February 2012