Functional Expert - HR & Payroll - Finance Office - 105901Z26 - Grade 6 in Birmingham

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Salary: £33,002 to £35,608 per annum.

Grade: 6

Contract: Full Time, Fixed Term up to July 2027.

Closing date: 28 June 2026.

This role is also an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

Our offer to you

We offer a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday per year, one paid day per year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, a pension scheme and subsidised day nurseries. Flexible working arrangements are available.

Role Summary

The Core Systems Optimisation team (CSOT) is responsible for quarterly release management, stabilising and optimising the Oracle and Worktribe systems that support Finance, HR and Research. The team also coordinates and delivers end‑user support and training and oversees the Managed Support Provider.

Process Ownership

• Maintain an in‑depth knowledge of all business processes from the perspective of both the system owner and the end‑user.
• Challenge and influence staff unfamiliar or resistant to new processes and ways of working.
• Work across the University to develop the right behaviours associated with the new system.
• Support the ongoing documentation of business process rules.

System Functionality

• Develop an in‑depth knowledge of system functionality across all modules.
• Develop an in‑depth knowledge of the data requirements for each module, including quality management issues such as accuracy, completeness and consistency (Suppliers, Customers, Chart of Accounts, Departmental structures, Grade ladders, Person Types, etc.).
• Knowledge of Oracle HCM Cloud is desirable.

End-User Support

• Resolve all Level 2 calls from the ITS Service Now Desk, including break/fix calls, configuration issues, troubleshooting requests and data issues.
• Undertake configuration changes (integrations, conversions, enhancements, forms) as required.
• Keep all documentation up to date and accurate.
• Develop reports to satisfy business intelligence requirements for relevant processes.

Release Management

• Evaluate forthcoming releases across all modules.
• Undertake regression testing to ensure functionality is configured appropriately; design test cases and scripts, record and report outcomes; analyse and report results; identify issues and risks.
• Ensure process maps are fully up to date.

Data Integrity

• Maintain data integrity, ensuring appropriate master data management creation.
• Investigate data issues and identify ways of resolving them.

Training

• Contribute to updating all relevant training materials, including online self‑service modules and hard‑copy materials.
• Support end‑user training as required.

Skills Development

• Develop knowledge across all functional areas over time to provide cover during absences or periods of heightened activity.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Relevant professional experience preferably in Higher Education, a comparable complex public sector body or significant commercial organisation.
• Knowledge and experience of system implementation.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills including:
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Establishing and managing collaborative stakeholder relationships and networks with academics, professional services staff and other partners, demonstrating credibility.
• Interacting with all levels of staff.
• Influencing, negotiating and facilitating skills.
• Ability to work using own initiative and manage own workload within agreed deadlines and tolerances.
• A creative, imaginative and enthusiastic approach to problem solving and process improvement activities.
• Well‑developed administrative and organisational skills with a proven ability to pay attention to detail.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Collaborative and flexible working style.
• Ability to prioritise work, particularly under pressure.
• Understanding of and empathy for the activities/objectives of the University.

Personal characteristics:

• Strong intellectual abilities.
• Eye for detail.
• Judgement and resilience.
• Problem solving.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Energy and resilience.

Planning and Organising

The broad remit of the role will be presented to the post holder. Guidance will be available from the Functional Lead.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Responsible for supporting solution design and build and quality assurance of these activities.

Internal and External Relationships

Post holder will communicate with a wide range of employees across the University.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.