SAP ABAP Analyst

Shoosmiths - UK Law Firm of the Year Winner at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2015.

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

Shoosmiths are implementing the first instance of the SAP legal template.  This role will be essential in helping with the delivery of this project, all subsequent projects and developments within all technical areas of SAP. The successful candidate will be responsible for the Abap programming requirements in line with SAP’s legal template.

• To work closely with the business analysts to analyse and understand the technical requirements and develop Abaps in order to meet all requirements.
• To define and agree deliverables and timelines to ensure they are fit for purpose in line with the full project plans.  
• To work with the functional business analyst to produce estimates for the technical work required, these should be communicated effectively to ensure good expectation management.
• To produce documentation, technical specifications, training and testing scripts, risk and issue logs and any other necessary project and support documentation.
• To work with other IS teams to manage the requirements relating to interfaces with other systems
• To ensure all project communications, both written and verbal, are managed and delivered in a timely manner.
• To work with the functional analysts to manage any proposed changes or enhancements to agreed scope.
• Work effectively with the whole project team to ensure a fully integrated system is delivered.
• To, as required, manage suppliers and contractors to ensure targets and deliverables are met.
• Minimise the firm’s exposure to risk.
• To ensure projects meet quality standards.  
• Ensure that you understand and follow the required IS Policy, Procedures and guidelines provided by the IS Department.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with rest of the IS department.
• Assist other areas of the IS department as and when required.
• Be aware of current Health and Safety requirements and co-operate with Facilities Management

Personal skills and competencies

• Excellent communication skills with people at all levels of the business
• Self-motivating with a flexible approach
• Is inquisitive with an analytical mind, but well grounded in reality.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement
• Excellent skills in documentation writing
• Process driven, able to follow a methodology
• Deliver on time, in full all requirements scoped
• Has the confidence and maturity to deal effectively with colleagues in all parts and levels of the business.
• Can motivate a team to work together in the most efficient manner.
• Recognises and resolves conflict and communication problems.
• Sets and manages user expectations

Role-specific knowledge, expertise and experience

Essential

• Development and support experience in an IT discipline
• Strong communication skills as this role will require stakeholder management
• 2 years abap programming experience

Preferred

• Experience of any other SAP modules (for example, FICO, SD etc) or BODS.
• Experience in a law firm, professional services firm or other service sector industry (not essential)

Qualifications and other role-specific requirements

Essential

• Educated to degree level

Preferred

• Prince 2/ASAP qualified 

Additional details

Travel to other Shoosmiths offices will be necessary on occasions.

It is essential that the SAP Abap Analyst can work flexible or extended hours to complete some tasks outside of core business hours of 08:00 to 18:00.

Background checks

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted.  These checks will include employment references covering the last 5 years, proof of ID, proof of address covering the last 5 years, Personnel Vetting credit search (which will only highlight insolvency or County Court Judgments - should any adverse data show on the Personnel Vetting search then any offer of employment made will be withdrawn).Terrorism Check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a DBS check previously known as a Criminal Records check.

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.