Publishing Solutions Product Owner (Fixed Term Contract)

The Publishing Solutions Product Owner for the Biblio (AKA Oxford Publish) system is accountable for strategic direction, development and the regular upgrade programme. This role is critical in ensuring that Biblio is effectively owned and managed from a business point of view, and that changes match and anticipate business need. Alignment of business priorities and technology outcomes is a vital part of the role in managing the Biblio application roadmap and backlog as well as part of projects and programmes as required.

The role holder will work closely with business owners to understand business priorities and direction, working with the Publishing Solutions Analyst and Technology colleagues to ensure that requirements are translated into features and changes that will enable the most effective delivery of business priorities and add maximum value. Biblio is upgraded every 10 weeks or so, and the role holder will work closely with the developers and the business to ensure that new features are understood and UAT is completed. The role holder must be an agent of change who is able to deliver in a pragmatic, personable way; an effective communicator who can work with stakeholders at all levels of the business to understand both technology and business perspectives and bridge the gap between the two.

The role is responsible for supporting the business from a training and process support perspective, ensuring users are trained (through the Biblio Trainer) in any new functionality. The role holder also manages and supports the key/power user network and manages business change for users.

This is a 6-month fixed term secondment.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Expert knowledge of the Biblio system, particularly its use in OUP
• An understanding of software development methods and practises (technical coding skills not required)
• Excellent understanding of publishing processes
• Experience of designing, implementing, embedding and supporting key business systems and processes
• Facilitation and process mapping skills
• Strong technical problem-solving skills
• Disciplined approach to quality and delivery
• Excellent influencing and communication skills, ability to network effectively at all levels, using suitable influencing skills, as well as experience of negotiation and relationship management
• Experience in developing and delivering training to end users
• Broad experience of applying best practice in using systems and processes

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days' holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies.

We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts.

This role comes with the added benefit of a discretionary annual payment.

Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.