Business Analyst / Data Manager (m/f/d)
Location: Heidelberg (Germany)
Time type: Full-Time (hybrid working model)
We are looking for a talented and versatile Business Analyst & Data Manager to join the DDS (Data Delivery System) team in Heidelberg. This hybrid role combines business analysis, agile facilitation, and data management — making it a unique opportunity to shape how Springer Nature enriches, stores, and distributes its publications to the world. You will bridge the gap between business needs and technical delivery while ensuring high-quality data services reach libraries, platforms, and partners globally.
About Springer Nature
Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world. We publish the largest number of journals and books and are a pioneer in open research. Through our leading brands, trusted for more than 180 years, we provide technology-enabled products, platforms and services that help researchers to uncover new ideas and share their discoveries, health professionals to stay at the forefront of medical science, and educators to advance learning. We are proud to be part of progress, working together with the communities we serve to share knowledge and bring greater understanding to the world. For more information, please visit about.springernature.com and follow @SpringerNature.
At Springer Nature, we recognise that great talent develops through many different paths. We encourage applications from individuals with strong transferable skills, provided they are supported by relevant experience that shows how those skills have been successfully applied in practice. Our hiring approach balances skills, experience, and potential to ensure each role is fulfilled with both short term effectiveness and long term growth in mind.
About Us
The DDS team maintains the platform that enriches, stores, and distributes Springer Nature publications. DDS is the central repository for content and metadata, delivering data to internal systems, libraries, and third-party platforms worldwide.
We are a collaborative team with overlapping responsibilities, valuing ownership, transparency, and continuous improvement. Our work directly impacts how millions of researchers, educators, and professionals access scientific knowledge.
About the Role
This role combines Business Analysis, Agile facilitation, and Data Management within the DDS Support Team. You will work closely with the Product Owner, developers, and stakeholders to shape initiatives, ensure smooth delivery, and maintain high-quality data distribution services.
In addition to translating business needs into actionable requirements, you will actively manage and improve metadata feeds, support external partners, and ensure the reliability and quality of DDS data services. This role strengthens the connection between business analysis, agile delivery, and operational data management — making it a key contributor to the success of the DDS platform and its ecosystem.
The position is based in Heidelberg with a hybrid working model.
Role Responsibilities
Collaborate with the Product Owner and stakeholders to understand business goals, translate business needs into clear problem statements, user needs, and acceptance criteria, and ensure work items are refined, prioritized, and ready for development.
Analyze and document processes, data flows, dependencies, and system impacts across the DDS landscape, supporting solution discovery by providing clarity without prescribing technical implementation.
Support the team's flow-based way of working (Kanban) by facilitating agile ceremonies such as refinement sessions, planning, and retrospectives, and driving continuous improvement via metrics (flow, cycle time, predictability).
Align stakeholders and ensure initiatives progress efficiently from concept to delivery, maintaining transparency on progress, risks, and open questions while coordinating with internal and external teams.
Manage and maintain metadata and content feeds (e.g. ONIX, XML, MARC) and act as key contact for libraries, archives, national institutions, and third-party platforms including Amazon, Apple, Google, and aggregators.
Support German library consortia and legal deposit processes (e.g. DNB via OAI and Webpull), configure and operate automated data delivery processes for regional and international partners.
Ensure high data quality through validation, monitoring, and documentation, maintain standardized DDS filters and configurations, and define feed rules (e.g. PTO/POD configurations such as paper type and trim size).
Support migration of data delivery infrastructure (e.g. FTP to SFTP, cloud migration), set up and maintain TDM (Text & Data Mining) data feeds, and contribute to system stability and performance improvements.
Identify opportunities to simplify and streamline existing processes, support gradual automation of recurring tasks, and explore AI-assisted tools to improve efficiency in analysis, documentation, and operational activities.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
Essential
Experience in Business Analysis, Data Management, or similar roles in a technical or data-driven environment, with strong analytical skills and the ability to structure complex topics into actionable outcomes.
Experience working in agile environments (Kanban or similar) with strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Hands-on experience with metadata, data feeds, or data delivery systems, including technical understanding of XML, XSLT, and system integrations.
SQL knowledge (basic to intermediate) and familiarity with data feed technologies such as ONIX, MARC, or OAI.
Ability to take ownership and drive clarity in complex, ambiguous situations with a strong focus on high-quality outcomes and sustainable solutions.
Fluency in English; German communication skills are highly desirable for partner interaction.
Desirable
Experience with Jira and Confluence in a collaborative delivery environment.
Knowledge of publishing, libraries, or metadata ecosystems.
Experience in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) or SFTP and cloud storage technologies.
Understanding of accessibility standards (e.g. European Accessibility Act) and metadata compliance.
At Springer Nature, our mission is to be part of progress — and that begins with inclusion: of people, perspectives, and ideas. We believe that diverse perspectives drive progress, and we are committed to creating an environment where people and ideas can flourish. If you have any access needs related to disability, neurodivergence or a chronic condition, please contact us so we can make all necessary accommodation. Find out more about our DEI work here https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion
For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature please visit https://springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatureCareers/
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Skills Required
- Experience in business analysis, data management, or a similar role in a technical or data-driven environment
- Strong analytical skills and ability to structure complex topics into actionable outcomes
- Experience working in agile environments such as Kanban
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Hands-on experience with metadata, data feeds, or data delivery systems
- Technical understanding of XML, XSLT, and system integrations
- Basic to intermediate SQL knowledge
- Familiarity with ONIX, MARC, or OAI data feed technologies
- Ability to take ownership and drive clarity in complex, ambiguous situations
- Strong focus on high-quality outcomes and sustainable solutions
- Fluency in English
- German communication skills
- Experience with Jira and Confluence
- Knowledge of publishing, libraries, or metadata ecosystems
- Experience with AWS, Azure, GCP, SFTP, or cloud storage technologies
- Understanding of accessibility standards such as the European Accessibility Act and metadata compliance
What We Do
Research and learning are the cornerstones of progress, which is why we open doors to discovery for our communities, enabling millions of researchers, clinicians, educators and other professionals to access, trust and make sense of the latest insights. Springer Nature is an ambitious and dynamic organisation. For over 180 years our imprints, books, journals, platforms, and technology solutions have been a trusted source of knowledge to our communities. Today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood, and used, ensuring that the world continues to make progress, improving and enriching lives and helping to protect our planet for future generations. Global key facts: Established for over 180 years Nearly 10,000 colleagues 200 offices in 45 countries on all continents World’s largest academic book publisher Publisher of Nature, the world’s most influential journal First company to publish more than 1 million Open Access articles Key brands and imprints: Springer Nature is home to some of the best-known names in research, health, educational and professional publishing. Every day, around the globe, our brands reach millions of people. Nature Springer BMC Palgrave Macmillan Apress Macmillan Education Scientific American Springer Healthcare Springer Medizin Research Square J.B. Metzler BSL Adis
