Information Systems Officer

The Open University UK; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Milton Keynes office

Job summary

The Open University is seeking a skilled specialist to develop and administer information systems that support the Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) services. You will design, develop and maintain Power Apps and Automate workflows, and create Power BI dashboards to deliver practical digital solutions across the university.

You will work with Library Services, IT and Digital Services to improve data quality, reporting capabilities and process automation, ensuring alignment with

Qualifications

• Experience developing and administering business information systems that support process improvement.
• Experience developing solutions using Microsoft Power Platform, including Power Apps and Power Automate.
• Experience creating reports and dashboards using Power BI or equivalent BI tools.
• Understanding of information systems architecture, data management and systems integration principles.
• Ability to analyse business requirements and translate them into practical technical solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver work to deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain Power Apps solutions to support operational processes.
• Create and manage Power Automate workflows to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency.
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards, reports and MI tools.
• Support data modelling, visualisation and reporting activities for insights.
• Identify opportunities to automate and improve business processes across KIM and Library Services.
• Provide training and guidance to colleagues using Power Platform and reporting tools.

Skills

Power Platform development

Power Apps

Power Automate

Power BI

Information systems architecture

Data management

Systems integration

Requirements analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Project prioritisation

Tools

Power Apps

Power Automate

Power BI

SharePoint

Microsoft 365

Job description

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: Not Applicable

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK's largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education, combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to help develop and support the technology platforms that underpin the University's Knowledge and Information Management (KIM) service. Working closely with the KIM Systems Lead and Senior Library Manager (Information Management and Process Design), the postholder will play a key role in the design, development, administration and continuous improvement of information systems, automation solutions and management information reporting.

The role will focus on delivering practical digital solutions that improve information management, business processes and user experience across the University. This includes designing and maintaining Power Apps, Power Automate workflows, Power BI dashboards and Microsoft 365-based solutions, alongside supporting wider information systems architecture and integration activities.

The postholder will work with colleagues across Library Services, IT, Digital Services and the wider University community to identify opportunities for automation, improve data quality, develop reporting capabilities and ensure that information systems support organisational objectives effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Information Systems Development and Administration

• Support the design, configuration, administration and continuous improvement of systems that underpin Knowledge and Information Management services.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of information systems architecture, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure and aligned with institutional requirements.
• Support system integrations and data flows between Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Platform and other enterprise systems.
• Maintain technical documentation, system configuration records and operational procedures.

Power Platform Development

• Design, develop and maintain Power Apps solutions to support operational processes and service improvement activities.
• Create and manage Power Automate workflows to reduce manual effort, improve efficiency and strengthen process consistency.
• Troubleshoot, test and optimise applications and automations to ensure reliability and performance.
• Apply best practice in solution design, governance, accessibility and lifecycle management.

Reporting, Analytics and Business Intelligence

• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards, reports and management information tools.
• Support data modelling, visualisation and reporting activities to provide actionable insights for decision-making.
• Work with stakeholders to identify reporting requirements and translate business needs into effective analytical solutions.
• Monitor data quality and support the development of reporting standards and performance metrics.

Process Improvement and Automation

• Identify opportunities to simplify, automate and improve business processes across KIM and Library Services.
• Undertake process analysis and collaborate with stakeholders to design efficient digital workflows.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and service enhancements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that increase service quality, productivity and user satisfaction.

Stakeholder Support and Engagement

• Provide technical advice and guidance to colleagues using Power Platform, reporting tools and KIM-related systems.
• Work with subject matter experts and operational teams to understand business requirements and deliver practical solutions.
• Deliver training, guidance materials and user support for developed solutions.
• Build effective working relationships with stakeholders across the University.

Governance, Security and Compliance

• Ensure systems and solutions are developed in accordance with University policies, governance standards and information security requirements.
• Support activities relating to information governance, records management and data protection.
• Contribute to testing, audit activities and risk management processes where required.

About You

• Experience developing and administering business information systems that support process improvement and automation.
• Experience developing solutions using Microsoft Power Platform, including Power Apps and Power Automate.
• Experience creating reports and dashboards using Power BI or equivalent business intelligence tools.
• Understanding of information systems architecture, data management and systems integration principles.
• Ability to analyse business requirements and translate them into practical technical solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver work to agreed deadlines.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email [e-mail] quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Working Location:It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes Office, it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be once per month, but this could be more often if business needs dictate. Full-time working based from our Milton Keynes site is also supported if this is preferred by the candidate. Expenses associated with travel to our Milton Keynes site are not reimbursable.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interview dates are likely to be mid to end of October.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.