Application Support Lead

Job summary

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Application Support Lead to play a key role in the ongoing support, development and optimisation of the NEP Cloud solution, built on Oracle Fusion technology.

In this role, you will lead the planning, testing and implementation of quarterly Oracle updates, system enhancements and service improvements, ensuring the platform continues to meet the needs of our consortium organisations.

Working closely with colleagues, customers and partners, you will provide expert application support, resolve complex issues and help drive continuous improvement across the service.

You will also manage a varied portfolio of projects and workstreams, taking ownership of delivery from planning through to implementation, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope and with minimal disruption to service.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, working collaboratively and making a tangible impact on a large-scale shared service used across multiple NHS organisations.

While not essential, applicants with an NHS finance background and practical experience of financial processes within Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), Purchasing (PO) or General Ledger (GL) will be at a distinct advantage. Experience of Oracle Fusion Financials or similar enterprise finance systems would also be beneficial.

Main duties of the job Lead the ongoing application support, maintenance and continuous improvement of the NEP Cloud solution. Coordinate, test and implement quarterly releases, patches and system enhancements, ensuring changes are successfully deployed and communicated.

Analyse complex business and system requirements, assessing the impact of proposed developments and identifying appropriate solutions. Plan and manage projects and work packages, producing detailed project documentation, managing dependencies and monitoring delivery against agreed milestones.

Work with technical teams, suppliers and business stakeholders to design, test and implement new functionality and service improvements. Provide advice and guidance on the Oracle Fusion application suite, supporting colleagues, consortium organisations and partner organisations.

Investigate and resolve complex application issues, ensuring timely resolution and minimal disruption to users. Develop and execute testing plans, coordinating user acceptance testing and ensuring all changes meet quality and business requirements.

Identify, assess and manage project and operational risks, escalating significant issues where appropriate. Produce clear technical and non-technical documentation, reports and communications to support change management and service delivery.

Build strong relationships with internal teams, customers and partners to promote collaboration and deliver excellent customer service. Support the adoption of new functionality.

About us

NEP is hosted by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and is the largest NHS Consortium in England. NEP provides a cutting-edge, fully integrated finance and procurement solution tailored specifically for NHS organisations, configured on Oracle Cloud ERP.

Through collaboration and shared learning, we empower our members to optimise resources, meet evolving directives,driving improve outcomes for patients. At NEP, we foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Staff are supported to grow professionally through mentorship, development programmes and opportunities to work on innovative projects. Our hybrid-working model supports a healthy work-life balance while maintaining strong team connectivity and service delivery.

You will join a motivated and knowledgeable team, where your input is genuinely valued. We are proud of our collaborative ethos and our shared commitment to supporting front-line NHS services through reliable digital infrastructure.

Job description

Job

responsibilities

The Application Support Lead is responsible for supporting the implementation and development of complex solution developments, quarterly updates and enhancements as well as providing specialist advice on the core applications of the integrated NEP Cloud Solution.

The post holder is required to project manage delegated programme of work items, with support from the Process Development Manager as required, ensuring all project scopes and project plans are comprehensively detailed and managed effectively, ensuring there are no conflicts.

The post holder is required to undertake the analysis of complex data in relation to the design, testing and implementation of proposed developments and enhancements to the NEP Cloud solution.

They should be able to assess, rigorously test and provide expert guidance on the impact of proposed implementations, within each application area, whilst ensuring full compliance with the project scope and formally reporting significant risks or issues to the Process Development Manager, Programme Manager and / or NEP Operational Management Team (OMT).

The Application Support Lead is required to provide on-going support and guidance to NEP Colleagues, NEP Consortium Organisations and Partner Organisations to ensure clear dissemination of information and continuity of service of the NEP Cloud Solution.

To role model compassionate and inclusive leadership in order to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the trust.

This means demonstrating a consistent leadership style which (a) engages, enables and empowers others (b) uses coaching to promote ownership of learning and quality improvement and (c) facilitates team working and collaboration within teams / departments and across organisational boundaries.

Person Specification

Essential Essential Degree Level Qualification within a Financial or Procurement related study area. Or equivalent qualification and / or demonstrable relevant experience. Have working knowledge of project management methodology, including a formal qualification and / or equivalent experience.

Significant experience and understanding in systems development and systems related Projects. Experience Essential Have specialist knowledge of Financial Management, Financial Services or Procurement, underpinned by experience and knowledge of people and service management.

Experience in systems development or systems related project management. Working experience within a managerial or supervisory role. Desirable Knowledge of or experience in coaching and mentoring practices and tools.

Knowledge of or experience in quality improvement tools, techniques and methods.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .