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
1. Provide engaging, easy to follow documentation that gives the user confidence to use the system as quickly and effectively as possible
2. Produce highly professional and accurate documentation that reflects the quality of the product
3. Follow the documentation and release processes to ensure that documentation is released in a timely and consistent manner
Key Responsibilities
4. Manage medium to exceptionally large documentation projects
5. Manage documentation projects in accordance with project deliverables
6. Write software user guides for the various applications and services the company supplies
7. Write the online help that accompanies the applications and services that the company supplies
8. 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
9. Ensure documents meet the quality standards expected
10. Deliver all relevant documentation in time for the software release
11. Travel to UK office locations occasionally for meetings etc. as the need arises
12. 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:
13. Considerable Technical writing experience in a software development environment
14. Considerable experience writing context-sensitive online help
15. Good working knowledge of MadCap Flare or RoboHelp is essential.
16. Ability to use MadCap Flare (or RoboHelp) to generate online help and user guides
17. A good understanding of technical authoring processes including single sourcing
18. Good working knowledge of HTML / XHTML
19. Ability to manage large projects with minimal supervision
20. Ability to work effectively on own initiative
21. Efficient time management with the ability to work to and meet tight deadlines
22. Strong command of the English language
23. A team player with effective communication skills
24. Excellent writing skills with the ability to explain technical concepts in simple terms
25. Good technical understanding of IT systems in general
26. Ability to absorb new and complex information quickly
27. Ability to compare documentation to the software with meticulous attention to detail
28. Good working knowledge of Microsoft products specifically Word and Excel
Desirable:
29. Working knowledge of MadCap Capture
30. Working knowledge of MadCap Mimic
31. Working knowledge of CSS
32. Good working knowledge of the Agile development methodology
33. Good working knowledge of JIRA
34. Experience working in a local government arena such as Revenues and Benefits
Additional Information
We pride ourselves in offering an excellent benefits package, including an above average pension scheme. When you join the team at NEC Software Solutions, you are provided with the following:
35. Private Medical Cover funded by NEC for Employees (with the option to add family members at an additional cost)
36. 25 days paid holiday with the option to buy/sell
37. 4 x basic salary life assurance cover funded by NEC (with the option to increase cover at an additional cost)
38. A Group Pension Plan with fantastic employer contributions up to a maximum of
39. A selection of flexible benefits to suit your individual needs
40. All colleagues get free access to LinkedIn Learning. Over 15000 courses covering a huge breadth of subjects. Learn about what you like, when you like, how you like.