Library Application Analyst

Burman Recruitment; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking recruitment agency in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Application Analyst to support academic libraries and research infrastructure. The role involves hands-on support of specialist applications, ensuring effective service delivery, and implementing improvements. Candidates should have technical expertise, particularly in SQL and Python, and strong communication skills. The position offers competitive benefits including extensive annual leave and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

40 days paid annual leave

Paid volunteering day

Professional development programmes

Generous pension scheme

Access to childcare and on-site gym

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Solid experience supporting enterprise applications in a relevant setting.
• Strong technical skills in SQL, Python, XML.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day application support across a range of digital services.
• Drive continuous improvement through service review and change management.
• Collaborate on system upgrades, migrations, and integration projects.

Skills

Application support

SQL

Python

Customer service

Problem-solving

Digital transformation

Tools

Alma

Primo

EPrints

Sentry

Linux

Job description

Are you an experienced Application Analyst with a passion for systems support, service improvement, and digital transformation? We're looking for a proactive and technically confident individual to join a forward-thinking Application Operations team, supporting key systems that underpin academic libraries and research infrastructure.

About the Role

You'll provide hands-on support, implementation, and improvement of a suite of specialist applications - including systems for library management, access control, and institutional repositories. You'll work closely with service owners, IT colleagues, and academic stakeholders to ensure excellent service delivery, effective incident resolution, and robust change and release processes.

This is a varied and rewarding role, perfect for someone with strong technical foundations and a structured, analytical approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day application support across a range of digital services.
• Diagnose, resolve, and escalate incidents in line with SLAs.
• Drive continuous improvement through service review, change management, and strategic enhancements.
• Design and execute test plans, support release and deployment activities.
• Collaborate on system upgrades, migrations, and integration projects.
• Contribute to service governance (e.g. data protection, accessibility, compliance).
• Support equality, diversity, and sustainability principles in all aspects of work.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Solid experience supporting enterprise applications - ideally in a library, academic, or public sector setting.
• Knowledge of Library IT systems such as:
• Alma (Library Management System)
• Primo (Resource Discovery)
• EPrints (Institutional Repository)
• Sentry (Access Control)
• Strong technical skills including SQL, Python, XML, and working within Linux environments.
• Familiarity with protocols and standards such as MARC, Dublin Core, or SIP2.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills - able to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience with IT service management, change and release processes.
• Understanding of data governance, DPIAs, and structured problem resolution.

Desirable

• Experience with scripting/web technologies (HTML, JavaScript, Perl, VBScript, CSS).
• Background in academic library workflows or research infrastructure.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and web auditing tools.

What's on Offer

• 40 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays and closure days)
• One paid volunteering day per year
• Sector-leading professional development programmes
• Generous pension scheme and occupational sick pay
• Access to subsidised childcare, on-site gym, caf s, and green spaces
• Hybrid working and flexible arrangements considered