Job Description Job Title Oracle Support Technical Developer Function IT Services Applications Reporting to Applications Manager Direct Reports None Working Hours Standard 35 hours per week Normally working Mon Fri 9am to 5pm with additional hours as required Job Purpose To support PPL s in-house money out business systems in a variety of Oracle database and other data quality technologies working closely with analysts and end-users in order to ensure that production systems are available, defects resolved, approved RFCs developed, data analysis provided and code released securely so that mission critical systems have maximum up-time whilst ensuring that new solutions delivered meet business objectives. Context of the Role Any party wishing to broadcast or play sound recordings (typically music) in a public setting in the UK must purchase a licence from PPL. The licence income collected by PPL must then be allocated and distributed to the record companies that own the sound recordings and to the musicians that performed on them. To achieve this allocation and distribution, PPL has a range of software systems: - The Repertoire Database Based on Oracle 11g database technology, PPL operates one of the world s largest and most authoritative databases of sound recording metadata. This system is fed with large volumes of data (around 10,000 recordings per week) from all the record companies that release sound recordings in the UK. Oracle Warehouse Builder and SAS Dataflux technologies are used to standardise and de-duplicate the data we receive in what is essentially a bespoke Master Data Management system. The Repertoire Database currently stores metadata for 6 million distinct sound recordings. PPL has recently invested in Informatica PowerCenter and all data movement and integration will be migrated from OWB onto Informatica. - The Usage and Matching System Also based on Oracle 11g, OWB and SAS Dataflux, this system receives data about all the music that is broadcast on TV and Radio across the UK. Through a complex set of routines, the system seeks to match the usage it has received to the sound recordings we hold in the Repertoire Database. In any given year, this system receives data accounting for 3.2 billion seconds of music usage, and matches to around 350,000 sound recordings in the Repertoire Database. - The Member Management System Is based on Salesforce.com and is accessed through a WebLogic and Java portal. - The Distribution System is a package application from Real Software that runs on a SQL Server 2008 database. This system generates around 320 million rows of data each time a distribution is processed as it stores data for each performer, for each month, for each source of income, for each sound recording. - The Data Warehouse combines data from across our systems such that we can undertake deeper analysis and gain greater insight into our operations. This is constructed around Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Edition and uses Informatica for all ETL tasks. The role entails the support of PPL s data processing and management systems, from repertoire and distribution solutions to bespoke data handling applications and solution data modelling. They will be working alongside system analysts and other technical support staff, in order to IT Services Applications - Oracle Support Technical Developer Job Description May 2013 V1.0 1
support and improve the current set of systems, ensuring that the user experience for both internal and external users is as seamless as possible. Their daily work load will be predominantly driven by Support Desk tickets. The technical developer will have a strong focus around supporting existing systems. This specialist 3rd line support will be about diagnosing complex data issues across multiple systems and will need to have a thorough knowledge of the end to end process and data transformations. The successful applicant will be trained in Dataflux, Oracle Warehouse Builder and Master Data Management. The role will involve working co-operatively and consultatively with a number of business stakeholders including the Member Services, International, Music Reporting, Distribution and Finance teams. A close relationship with other parts of the IT department will also be essential to the success of this role. This role lies within the Applications team in the IT Services department, reports to the Applications Manager -, has no management responsibility and works within defined procedures and processes. Internal contact will be primarily with Member Services, International, Music Reporting, Distribution and Finance departments. External contact will be limited. Organisation Chart Head of IT Services Apps Manager - Systems Analyst Tech Dev Salesforce Visualforce Tech Dev Salesforce Senior Oracle Support Tech Dev Oracle Support Tech Dev Tech Dev Java IT Services Applications - Oracle Support Technical Developer Job Description May 2013 V1.0 2
Key Accountabilities Define technical specifications produce documentation in a manner that allows other developers to operate and maintain the systems being supported, developed or enhanced undertake detailed analysis and document detailed specifications in a clear, concise and structured way in accordance with agreed standards Maintain thorough understanding of current and future business systems needs build a deep and accurate understanding of how the business operates departmental structure, functions, processes, procedures and current application functionality work in partnership with key business users, identifying potential ways of improving the efficiency and / or effectiveness of current technical solutions Systems and applications development, support and deployment contribute to the identification of best technical solutions to business requirements document, review and follow structured processes and procedures, including configuration management, version control, coding, testing and documentation standards, highlighting opportunities for improvements prepare test scripts and test data, execute unit and system testing, and undertake deployment planning provide technical and operational support research and suggest new tools and techniques that can be utilised in solutions strongly represent the interests of business users by providing effective solutions in accordance with approved specifications and established standards and helping keep work focussed on meeting business needs and realising business benefits Maintain strong relationships build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, key business users, colleagues and external suppliers in order to provide a professional customer service approach communicate clearly, fluently and effectively to both individuals and groups by telephone and in person, via both verbal and written communication, in order to assist in the provision of a high level of customer service, including the provision of technical advice and guidance on matters using non-technical language if required work positively and communicate professionally across the team in order to make an effective contribution to team tasks and team spirit Other responsibilities develop and maintain expertise in best practice development methodologies and techniques ensure that personal objectives documentation is kept updated and current throughout the course of the year maintain knowledge of new and emerging technologies that might have application to PPL proactively manage personal development in order to increase performance levels and provide opportunities for career development share knowledge and experience with other team members to contribute to the overall improvement of team capability and increase productivity The above outlines the key accountabilities of the role and the company reserves the right to vary these to suit the requirements of the business. IT Services Applications - Oracle Support Technical Developer Job Description May 2013 V1.0 3
Person Specification Job Title Oracle Support Technical Developer Function IT Services Applications Reporting to Applications Manager Direct Reports None Working Hours Standard 35 hours per week Normally working Mon Fri 9am to 5pm with additional hours as required FACTOR ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE Education & Qualifications A degree (preferably in computer science or a related subject) Experience Minimum of 3 years experience designing or supporting solutions involving systems integration, interfaces and ETL processes Media industry experience, ideally music industry related Involvement in processing large volumes of data Skills Experience of working on at least one 3-4 month data processing oriented development project through the full software development life cycle Experience of working with a code repository tool Excellent database development skills, a solid understanding of database technologies, and logical and physical data modelling. Ability to interpret written requirements and technical specification documents. Ability to code software according to published standards and design guidelines. Strong attention to detail. The writing of structured, easily maintainable code. Use of and interest in opensource products. Desire to work in an agile development environment. Flexible attitude, ability to perform under pressure. Release management experience MS SQL experience High level of data analysis skills Skills in MS SQL /Server IT Services Applications - Oracle Support Technical Developer Job Description May 2013 V1.0 4
Knowledge Behavioural Competencies A commitment to quality and a thorough approach to the work. Self-motivated and resilient. Proven track record of delivering high quality products in a timely manner. Excellent written and communication skills. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to plan your time effectively to ensure maximum results. Excellent knowledge of Oracle SQL, PL/SQL, 11g DB, XML, Linux/Unix Scripting and ETL tools Database performance tuning Customer Service Ability to meet and strive to exceed the needs of internal and external customers by producing quality work and service Drive for Results Able to go the extra mile to achieve tasks, objectives and targets. Demonstrates good attention to detail across all areas of work Teamwork Able to work together with colleagues to pool skills, ideas and resources to achieve objectives and resolve problems Initiative and Problem Solving Knowledge of data modelling, data quality concepts and related tools Knowledge of Oracle Warehouse Builder (OWD / ODI) ETL process design and development Knowledge of dimensional and relational data modelling Use of data manipulation techniques and interfaces Awareness of relational database concepts IT Services Applications - Oracle Support Technical Developer Job Description May 2013 V1.0 5
Able to take ownership of area, accepts issues and follow up with actions to rectify Managing Projects and Resources Ability to effectively deal with changing priorities or obstacles and to provide alternative options or solutions Planning and Organising Able to work to important deadlines and manage time effectively Other Analytical Thinking Ability to systematically break apart complex problems (written, verbal or numerical) Keeps abreast of current developments and trends in area of expertise Keeps up to date on training and continuous personal development plans IT Services Applications - Oracle Support Technical Developer Job Description May 2013 V1.0 6