SuccessFactors Functional Specialist (Employee Central)

Are you ready to shape the future of HR systems and deliver impactful change at a leading institution?

Join The Open University as a SuccessFactors Functional Specialist (Employee Central) and play a key role in optimising our HR processes and systems to support organisational success.

About the Role

People Services is committed to providing The Open University with high-quality people and data solutions and is valued for its efficiency, expertise, partnering capability and service.

We are embarking on a critical project for the organisation implementing Establishment Control and optimising the associated processes within our HR system – SAP SuccessFactors.

We are seeking a SuccessFactors Functional Specialist (Employee Central) to support the translation of requirements for systems change, review operational ways of working, design business process changes, assist with systems testing and update relevant documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the detailed definitions of system requirements and provide support through the project.
• Provide data analysis of records held between HR and Finance Systems to identify anomalies for correction.
• Analyse and document SAP-related requirements and business processes detailing impacts and effectiveness aligned to the project deliverables.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, project team, solution architect and developers to ensure changes being implemented will meet the specified requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement by reviewing and optimizing existing systems and business processes.
• Provide reports, both oral and written on the above activities and work progress.
• Facilitate workshops and stakeholder sessions, effectively engaging and communicating with all stakeholders.
• To ensure that all work follows appropriate standards and conforms to agreed quality plans, and to identify improvements to standards and processes.

About You

Essential:

• Hands-on operational experience and knowledge of SuccessFactors Employee Central with an understanding of HR foundation objects and processes to support project deliverables.
• Proven experience in Systems Business Analysis, with a strong background in in gathering, analysing and documenting business and functional requirements within SAP SuccessFactors environments.
• Experience supporting IT change projects, including release management within a structured change control framework.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary stakeholder groups, to deliver system or process improvements.
• In-depth understanding of requirements management and business process analysis techniques, including process mapping, gap analysis and impact assessment.
• Broad knowledge of key IT capabilities and developments, and how they can be deployed for business advantage.
• Sound knowledge of quality assurance and testing methodologies through the SAP development lifecycle, including data validation and user acceptance testing.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (to discuss and explain analysis, requirements and solutions).

Desirable:

• Comprehensive understanding of SAP Employee Central and downstream SAP modules, with experience with system enhancements.
• Experience of requirements analysis to meet complex business needs and working experience in a senior analyst role on large scale SAP projects.
• Experience of working in an agile development environment.
• Experience in logical data modelling.
• Experience of supporting operational applications.
• Recent practical experience of working with business users on business change projects in a medium/large organisation.
• Some experience of system testing.

Skills, capabilities and qualities:

• Positive and proactive in adding value in all areas of work.
• Able to quickly understand business issues and problems and take a logical problem-solving approach to their resolution.
• Passionate about success.
• Influencing and negotiation skills to resolve conflicts between stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

Why Join The Open University?

At The Open University, we're proud to be pioneers in accessible education and digital innovation. This is your opportunity to contribute to transformative HR system initiatives and make a lasting impact on our staff and students.

Our benefits include:

• 33 days annual leave, on top of bank holidays and a three-day Christmas closure period.
• Access to a leading pension scheme for UK higher education with generous employer contributions.
• Staff Fee Waivers for OU study, meaning you could earn a degree for free.
• Hybrid working, with limited requirement to attend the office in-person, with agile working and family friendly policies.
• Discounts, wellbeing support, and development opportunities.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply now and help us deliver innovative HR solutions that power the next generation of learning at one of the UK's most respected institutions.