About the role
Bury Council is looking for an experienced Applications Support Manager to lead the delivery and ongoing development of our corporate business applications portfolio.
This is a senior operational role with responsibility for ensuring that key corporate systems supporting services such as Finance, HR, Payroll, Procurement and wider corporate functions are reliable, secure and aligned to business needs. Our current enterprise applications include Unit4 (ERP), iTrent, Civica Open Revenues Civica APP, Civica Pay, Access PaySuite and Civica Modgov, alongside other corporate line‑of‑business systems.
You will lead a team of Applications Support Officers, work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, and act as the technical and service management authority for your application portfolio.
The role combines people leadership, supplier management and technical oversight, and is ideal for someone who enjoys owning services end‑to‑end and driving continuous improvement.
What you’ll be doing
* Leading and managing a team of Applications Support Officers delivering support for corporate business applications
* Owning the reliability, usability and performance of corporate systems, ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet service requirements
* Ensuring consistent provision of second‑line application support to the Service Desk, with clear escalation and resolution pathways
* Acting as the final point of escalation and subject‑matter expert for corporate business applications
* Working closely with business stakeholders to gather feedback, resolve service issues and agree service improvement initiatives
* Managing relationships with system suppliers, tracking product roadmaps and planning upgrades and enhancements proactively
* Ensuring all changes are properly logged, authorised and communicated in line with change and governance processes
* Maintaining accurate documentation, asset records and licence compliance
* Developing team capability through performance management, coaching and continuous improvement
What we’re looking for
You’ll be an experienced applications or business systems professional with the confidence to lead people, manage suppliers and operate effectively in a complex organisational environment.
* Significant experience supporting corporate or enterprise business applications within a large or complex organisation
* Experience of systems such as Unit4 (ERP), iTrent, Civica or similar large‑scale corporate platforms highly desirable
* Proven people‑management experience, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop technical teams
* A strong understanding of service management principles in line with ITIL best practice (formal qualification or equivalent experience)
* Experience managing competing priorities and maintaining service quality in a live operational environment
* The ability to build effective working relationships with senior business stakeholders and external suppliers
* Strong organisational and communication skills, with a focus on service outcomes and continuous improvement
We welcome applicants with strong transferable experience across corporate applications, even if you have not worked with every system listed.
Why join Bury Council?
* Lead and shape the delivery of mission‑critical corporate systems used across a complex organisation providing services to almost 200,000 people
* Real ownership of services, suppliers and service improvement for over 5,000 users
* Hybrid working with flexibility built around service needs
* Access to training, development and progression within a growing DDaT function
* A values‑driven organisation committed to public service, quality and inclusion
Additional information
* Occasional out‑of‑hours working may be required during upgrades, incidents or major service changes
* Office attendance is currently two days per week but may change in line with service needs
* Duties must be carried out in accordance with data protection, security, health and safety, and dignity at work policies
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