Company Description

Come join us and make a difference in the world!

Discover more at www.necsws.com

Job Description

We are looking for a Technical Author with a proven record of delivering high quality technical documentation for software applications.

As the successful candidate, you will join a team of authors who are based in various locations around the UK and India. Collectively, the team is responsible for providing online help, user guides, system administration guides, training material, release notes and other documentation (as required) for a wide variety of software products. In addition, the team produce ‘How To’ videos and downloadable ‘Quick Start’ guides for inclusion in the online help.

Initially you will work alongside other members of the team on one of our larger projects assisting with the implementation of scheduled enhancement activities. Thereafter you will be given the opportunity to take ownership of at least one documentation project. However, as an experienced author, you will also be expected to assist other members of the team working on various other projects as the need arises.
Additionally, you will work closely with the Documentation Manager to explore ways in which the team can improve the end-user experience and adopt any new ways of working agreed as a result. 

Key Deliverables

• Provide engaging, easy to follow documentation that gives the user confidence to use the system as quickly and effectively as possible
• Produce highly professional and accurate documentation that reflects the quality of the product
• Follow the documentation and release processes to ensure that documentation is released in a timely and consistent manner

Key Responsibilities

• Manage medium to exceptionally large documentation projects
• Manage documentation projects in accordance with project deliverables
• Write software user guides for the various applications and services the company supplies
• Write the online help that accompanies the applications and services that the company supplies
• Liaise with software developers, business analysts and subject matter experts (SMEs) to gain an understanding of the product and seek clarification on the more technical aspects
• Ensure documents meet the quality standards expected
• Deliver all relevant documentation in time for the software release
• Travel to UK office locations occasionally for meetings etc. as the need arises
• Liaise with customers to identify where improvements to documentation can be made

Training

Training will be given on corporate styles, branding, and team standards. Domain knowledge will be gained on the job over the course of time.

The successful candidate will be expected to complete the in-house Technical Author Skills program.

Qualifications

Essential Experience & Skills:

• Considerable Technical writing experience in a software development environment
• Good working knowledge of MadCap Flare (or RoboHelp) 
• Ability to use MadCap Flare (or RoboHelp) to generate online help and user guides
• A good understanding of technical authoring processes including single sourcing
• Good working knowledge of HTML / XHTML
• Ability to manage large projects with minimal supervision
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative
• Efficient time management with the ability to work to and meet tight deadlines
• Strong command of the English language
• A team player with effective communication skills
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms
• Good technical understanding of IT systems in general
• Ability to absorb new and complex information quickly
• Ability to compare documentation to the software with meticulous attention to detail
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft products specifically Word and Excel

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of MadCap Capture
• Working knowledge of MadCap Mimic
• Working knowledge of CSS
• Good working knowledge of the Agile development methodology
• Good working knowledge of JIRA
• Experience working in a local government arena such as Revenues and Benefits

Additional Information

We are proud of the benefits we offer employees of NEC Software Solutions 

• Private Medical Cover funded by NEC for Employees (with the option to add family members at an additional cost)
• 25 days paid holiday with the option to buy/ sell 
• 4 x basic salary life assurance cover funded by NEC (with the option to increase cover at an additional cost)
• A Group Pension Plan with fantastic employer contributions up to a maximum of 8.5%
• A fantastic selection of flexible benefits to suit your individual needs
• We are an employer who cares, we have a invaluable employee assistance programme which can help in every area of your life

Candidates must be able to demonstrate a pre-existing right to work and travel within the UK. Documentary evidence will be required.

All offers are subject to satisfactory vetting and reference checks.

NEC Software Solutions is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all communities.

All offers are subject to satisfactory vetting and reference checks. Depending on the nature of the role a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check may also be required. This role may require a higher clearance such as SC and NPPV +SC Clearance (or be able to apply for this level of clearance).