CRM Developer

The CRM Developer will report to the Head of IT Applications and Development. They will be responsible for the development and support of function required to meet the needs for a Marketing focused Dynamics 365 CRM. They will be responsible for AU Dynamics 365 Environments, Power Platform development (Power Apps Portals, Model-Driven / Canvas Applications), Microsoft Dataverse, CRM forms, Azure Logic apps and Power Automate.

The role will also entail managing the integrations across the range of university in-house developed applications including the Admission System (APEX Oracle), Clearing Application (APEX Oracle) and Gecko Event management. Integrations will be between the University’s systems, and third party provided software both hosted on premise and cloud based.

In this role, you will be required to line manage, support and train the Project Support Officer and a System Analyst / Developer currently working on the University CRM implementation, integrations and supporting applications. Based on your knowledge and expertise, you will create detailed specifications and with the support of your team to build the development solutions that most effectively meet the marketing CRM requirements of the university.

You will be a creative, innovative thinker with outstanding problem-solving skills, able to learn quickly and adapt to new challenges. With a keen interest in new and emerging technologies, you are passionate about innovation and excited by the idea of bringing these within our mainstream usage. Your excellent written and oral communication enables you to present ideas clearly and effectively to colleagues, senior management and project partners.

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

Informal training will be provided through working with existing members of the Development team and using systems manuals and online training materials.

CRM Development and Integration

Liaise with users in Global Marketing and Recruitment (GMSR) to understand their specific requirements and work with them to design appropriate CRM and data integration solutions.

Work within the AU Dynamics 365 Environments, Solutions, Journeys and Integrations.

Work with and train the team to use Power Platform development (Power Apps Portals, Model-Driven/Canvas Applications), Microsoft Dataverse, Power Automate SharePoint.

Work with and train other systems developers to agree data structures and user interfaces.

Develop, test, document and support form integrations providing controlled data query and data input functionality.

Knowledge of performing data integrations with Oracle technologies.

Awareness of the bilingual nature for creating data input forms and reports.

Develop additional web functionality using Oracle APEX.

Develop, test, document, and support data processing functions to assist in maintaining accurate and reliable data in the CRM system and to support the exchange of such data between the CRM and other associated systems.

Develop data migration strategies and support the transition to new systems.

Responsible for taking forward new initiatives and ensuring best practice.

Staff Management

Line management of the Project Support Officer and a System Analyst / Developer. And CRM related technical project staff.

Define the work required, set objectives, organise, and delegate work to reports according to their skills and abilities.

Coordinate delivery of own and reports’ work with other teams across the University.

To ensure that all reports take part in the Effective Contribution Scheme (ECS) processes with clear objectives and smart targets for all team members.

Engage all reports in the planning and delivery of work, ensuring a positive, flexible, and productive environment.

Technology Leadership

To keep up to date with developments around the University’s core business software to identify potential risks and opportunities relating to business practices and where appropriate make recommendations for future adoption of new systems.

To foster excellent working relationships with staff in Faculties, academic and service departments at all levels to ensure Information Technology Services is providing well-supported technology that meets the needs of the business.

To support and input into business cases for new digital initiatives for university committees and Executive team.

Participate in the development and implementation of annual operational plans for the team.

Write and deliver presentations, briefings or workshop sessions to staff, students or external bodies, taking account of the knowledge base of the participants and the complexity of the subject matter.

Assist in developing training materials and delivering user training to support these systems.

Liaise with external suppliers such as Gecko Engage and external consultants.

To develop wide-ranging and specialist understanding of the theory and practice associated with the role and to keep this current.

Project Delivery

Ensure that projects and reports are delivered in line with Agile methodology. Ensure that the work and applications under their responsibility are delivering value through close alignment to business goals, frequent delivery, empowering staff, and close collaboration with the customer.

To ensure effective project management is in place for all their and their reports’ initiatives, working with external suppliers, stakeholders, students, and staff across the University to ensure projects are delivered on time, to budget, and meet the University’s requirements.

To establish and ensure that all their IT application development projects are delivered to the required standards.

To ensure that relevant documentation is produced as part of the project lifecycle and handover of systems to production.

To maintain knowledge of, and implement, sector and industry project management best practice.

Run procurements and tenders with suppliers. Including producing funding applications, tender or specification documents for suppliers which may be complex.

Work collaboratively with external agencies and other HEIs.

Service Provision

To ensure that IT application services in their area of responsibility are operationally effective, meet KPIs and performance indicators as required by the University. This will include setting standards, monitoring services, and adapting them as required.

To promote continuous improvement across all IT application services and the development process.

To foster the highest standards of customer service.

To maintain the highest standards of security and data protection, keeping up-to date with all relevant legislation, regulation and best practice to ensure that applications and new IT developments are secure.

To ensure that robust communication and engagement plans are in place for stakeholders and customers of IT applications.

To ensure that services provided provide business continuity, are backed up, and can be recovered in the event of a disaster. This includes keeping relevant documentation up-to-date and testing disaster recovery strategies.

To liaise closely with the IT Infrastructure team on the delivery of IT applications.

To ensure applications are provided in a way that ensures the University meets its obligations under

The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and the University’s Welsh Language Standards

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The University’s Information Security Policy and related legislation

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

Undertake other duties as assigned by your line manager, commensurate with the role's grade.

Engage in university-level projects and initiatives as directed, and undertake any additional duties commensurate with the role, as assigned by the line manager.

Demonstrate flexibility by supporting colleagues during periods of high demand, including attendance at key university events such as open days and graduation ceremonies which may include weekend work.

Promote equality of opportunity, and to support and uphold the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.

To support the university strategy and underlining plans, engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities to develop yourself and support the development of others.

Fulfil health and safety responsibilities appropriate to the role, while actively promoting the personal health, safety, and wellbeing of staff and students as a member of the Aberystwyth community. Additionally, support the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability through responsible practices and engagement.