Application Manager

National Fostering Group; Bolton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's fostering organization in Bolton seeks an Application Manager to enhance business operations through effective application management. This role involves collaborating with stakeholders, supervising software implementation, and user training. The ideal candidate has strong product management experience, technical knowledge of software methods, and excellent communication skills. A competitive salary of £40,000 - £45,000 and benefits like up to 39 days annual leave are offered.

Benefits

Up to 39 days annual leave

Minimum 9% pension contribution

Life assurance

Access to discount marketplace

Tech Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Application Manager or Product Owner.
• Hands-on experience across the full product lifecycle.
• Strong technical knowledge in software development and integration.

Responsibilities

• Drive value from applications by collaborating with stakeholders.
• Supervise installation and upgrades of software applications.
• Train users and gather feedback for product development.

Skills

Product management

Software development methods

Integration protocols

Web technologies

Relationship building

User training

Job description

Overview

As Application Manager you will be working with suppliers, key business stakeholders, functional area product owners and the wider IT team to ensure that we are driving value and best utilising the applications and systems we use, specifically relating to Salesforce, Salesforce related/integrated products (e.g. Form Assembly) and Access Care Planning. We help determine what specific applications are needed to improve business operations and then supervise the installation, upgrading and daily maintenance of software applications. We also train and communicate how to use the software across the organisation, increasing the value add for the business. We listen to users, gathering feedback and usage data to inform product roadmaps and determine what features to prioritise or drop altogether.

Responsibilities

• Work with suppliers, key business stakeholders, functional area product owners and the IT team to drive value from applications and systems.
• Define which applications are needed to improve business operations and supervise installation, upgrades and daily maintenance.
• Train users and communicate best use of software across the organisation.
• Collect user feedback and usage data to inform decisions and produce product roadmaps.
• Apply hands-on experience across the full product lifecycle from requirements through to implementation.
• Work with strong technical knowledge of software development methods, integration protocols, web technologies and product configuration management.
• Resolve end-user issues and deliver complex implementation plans in a corporate environment.
• Build relationships and communicate effectively under pressure, managing stakeholders with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in product management, ideally as an Application Manager, Product Owner, or similar role.
• Hands-on across the full product lifecycle from requirements through to implementation.
• Strong technical knowledge of software development methods, integration protocols, web technologies and product configuration management.
• Experience resolving end-user issues and delivering complex implementation plans in a corporate environment.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills; methodical and able to work under pressure with minimal supervision.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 dependent on experience

Our Core Benefits include: Up to 39 days annual leave (including bank holidays and buyable days), a minimum 9% contributory pension, life assurance, and access to benefits through our Hub discount marketplace, EAP, Occupational Health, sick pay, family-friendly leave, expenses and mileage, and a Tech Scheme.

We also offer a four-day working week as a performance-based benefit after a successful six-month probationary period.

About the Group

National Fostering Group is the largest independent children\'s fostering group in the UK, with over 20 years of experience and a community of more than 2,500 foster carers. In Northern Ireland we work with Local Health and Social Care Trusts to provide high-quality care for children and young people. All of our fostering agencies across the UK are recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either Outstanding or Good.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.