KTP Associate - Software Developer (Minster Micro Computers Ltd)

Fixed term for 18months

This position will be based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, UK.

Minster Micro Computers Limited and the College of Computing and Digital Technology at Birmingham City University (BCU) are looking to appoint a high calibre graduate (graduated within the last five years) as a Software Developer KTP Associate. The Associate’s brief will be to develop a new robust software development and deployment consultancy and capability for Minster Micro Computers Limited, to improve competitive advantage, and enhance its service-provision to new and existing customers. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a recent Software Engineering or Computer Science graduate to analyse an organisation’s current software practices and develop and implement a consultancy strategy to bring about business change through the design, development and deployment of bespoke business products that will allow Minster Micro Computers Limited to grow their customer base and increase profitability.

Candidates applying should be knowledgeable in the following:

• A good understanding of collaborating across organisational boundaries to facilitate IT/Systems enabled business change
• An understanding of eliciting and understanding user requirements for solving business problems, particularly in the areas of finance and accounting
• Practical working experience of formal techniques for capturing and documenting user requirements
• Designing and developing software systems for data-driven business finance and decision-making
• Practical understanding of developing software interfaces and architectures (such as APIs and Web Services) to allow interconnectivity between legacy and new software services
• A practical understanding and skills in constructing testing infrastructures (e.g. automated test suites) for ensuring the validation, verification and integrity of software

Project Management and implementation skills

This position forms part of the Knowledge Transfer programme (KTP), co-funded by a grant from Innovate UK and Minster Micro Computers Limited. It is essential you understand the fundamentals of how a KTP works between a business and the University and the vital role you will play if you successfully secure this position. The Software Developer (KTP Associate) will have access to a wider range of benefits including a personal development budget of £3,000 to upskill during the project. For more information, please go to: http://bcuadvantage.co.uk/funding/knowledge-transfer-partnerships.

The successful candidate will be employed by Birmingham City University, working full time delivering an 18-month KTP project in partnership with Minster Micro Computers Limited.

Minster Micro Computers is a dynamic family run business who thrive on creating a partnership with their clients, offering tailored IT solutions to businesses across a range of industries. For more information, please visit www.minstermicro.co.uk.

The successful candidate recruited for this position will be employed as a Software Developer KTP Associate. This role presents an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with leading academics at Birmingham City University (BCU) to apply knowledge and technical innovation, delivered on site at the company. The Software Developer KTP Associate should have a minimum 2.1 University qualification in a relevant subject area and should be graduated within the last five years.

Location and Reporting:

The Software Developer KTP Associate will be based on site at the company in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 1HU. Please note this is NOT a remote working position

The successful candidate will have full access to Birmingham City University’s resources such as offices, labs, and library to complete the KTP project (a workplan has already been written with KPIs and outcome deliverables)

The Software Developer KTP Associate will be supported and mentored by academics from the College of Computing to revise and implement an existing workplan. The candidate will be supported 0.5 days per week by an academic who will mentor the KTP Associate through the duration of the project

The candidate will be expected to lead and deliver the KTP project plan managing the expectations of various stakeholders, under the guidance and support of both academic and a company supervisor throughout the project. A project plan is written for the candidate to follow and/or adapt in line with business requirements

Skills and Experience:

Person Specification:

The candidate will hold a good first degree (equivalent to a First Class or 2:1 Honours) in Software Engineering or Computer Science.

A Master’s degree in a closely related discipline will be an added advantage.

Essential:

Understanding of the complex relationship in business between people, information, processes, and technology

Strong communication skills to be able to understand and explore user needs and requirements for systems development and change

Practical work experience of communicating with users to elicit, capture and analyses business requirements and presenting solutions in meeting project objectives

Evidence of completion of a substantial IT software development project in business / industry

Keen interest in the developing enabling strategies to facilitate business growth through consultancy for systems and organisational change

Analysing and redesigning and delivering business process change and automation to improve performance and productivity and increased revenue for the business

Project and time management skills commensurate with the role of a Software Development KTP Associate

Desirable:

Practical working experience of Software Design and Development consultancy to solve complex real-world problems

Practical experience of developing data-driven software solutions.

Proven practical skills in Software Systems Design including UML or other software formal design and modelling techniques

Proven practical skills in Software Systems Development including C++ programming, SQL database design and development, API / Web Services development, and other related practical software development skills.

Ability to document strategic system changes and new standard operating procedures including writing online documentation accessible to all interested employees

Practical experience in training and mentoring to embed new Systems capabilities

You will be challenged to develop a set of organisational, project management, and personal skills.

You must be a proficient communicator and engage fully with all stakeholders, seminars, workshops and events to highlight the work of the project.

Personal Skills:

Excellent communication skills and should be willing to actively and effectively communicate between a range of specialists

Effective interpersonal skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and business clients will be essential

Ability to develop knowledge and skills in research methods and data analysis techniques

Willingness to take ownership of the project, developing skills in project management, multidisciplinary working, etc.

Excellent communication, time management and problem-solving skills and be confident in dealing with clients. Client management means critical and creative thinking capability, so they need to be open, friendly and adaptable

Enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to take a proactive role that will successfully deliver the work plan in the proposal

Interviews are planned to take place the week commencing 20th January 2025.

Please send your CV to Ruth McGuinness at ruth.mcguinness2@bcu.ac.uk.

Please click the below link to download the Job Description:

Job Description

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to enter the LGPS scheme will be able to do so, and will be employed by Birmingham City University directly.

Apply Before: 05/01/2025, 23:59