Job Title:                     Head of Information Technology (IT) - London

Industry:                      Banking

Location:                  United Kingdom

Salary:                         Competitive Salary Package + Benefits

 

Job Purpose

Working closely alongside the CEO and COO, the Head of IT has overall responsibility for planning and co-ordinating day to day operational management of the Bank IT systems, ensuring system availability, technology upgrades and training are properly addressed and monitored. The role ensures that projects, deadlines, budgets and service levels are met, and technology results are delivered effectively and efficiently.

The role supports the Bank to deliver the Strategic Business Plan and objectives from a technology perspective.

 

Responsibilities:

 

Project Management:

• Ability to lead, manage and roll out IT infrastructure upgrades and new technologies across the Bank

Advice:

• Providing timely, accurate, and relevant IT advice, guidance and oversight to Senior Management (particularly the Board and COO).

 

Communication:

• Informing staff of the IT policies and procedures in place and communicating the impact of changes in technology on the firms’ operations and potential effects on current business and future business development.

Contact:

• First point of contact for all staff for IT assistance with any technology related problems, providing timely investigation and resolution of issues.

Documentation:

• Update of IT projects, systems documentation, policies and procedures in line with any updates or developments at the request of COO.

Education/Training:

• Provision of IT education and training for staff, supported by the putting in place of policies, procedures, and other documents such as IT manuals and practical guidelines.

Management:

• Managing and supervising the activities of the IT Assistant Manager and Infrastructure Manager/DBA, ensuring effective performance management and objectives/goals setting.

Operational:

• Optimisation of technology and the Bank internal systems in conjunction with Heads of business areas, Operations and external IT consultants.

Planning:

• Develop and maintain the Business Continuity plan for IT and implement measures to safeguard the firms Information Technology Systems and Management needs of the Firm in the event of major incidents or disasters.

Projects:

• Lead involvement in IT projects, ensure their timely completion, achievement of objectives and cost efficiencies.

 

Senior Management Functions (SMCR) – FCA/PRA

Certification Regime

 

Membership of Governance and other Key Committees

• Member of Security Committee
• Secretary to IT Steering Committee

 

Experience

What experience is required to do this role including those related to Senior Management Function (SMF) previously SIF (Significant Influence Function responsibilities), if applicable, and accountabilities?

 

Technical

• A strong Linus background is required along with an In-depth knowledge and experience of:

o IT Function in a financial institution

o Systems development and system implementation

o Experience of the latest IT technologies such as cloud architectures

o Exposure to firewalls and networking

 

• Systems knowledge (desirable)

o Finacle exposure

o Misys TI+ experience

o ITIL certification

o Oracle/SQL experience

o Microsoft Azure and office 365 in a production environment

• General experience and background experience for successful execution of the role

o Banking experience
o Stakeholder management and engagement with senior and board level

o Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
o Commitment to professional development

Qualifications/Education/Training

What technical and general training or qualifications are required to do the role?

  Essential

• Relevant honours level degree in Computer Science/ IT
• Evidence of continuous professional development in an IT role e.g. Certifications in Microsoft systems, Cisco certification, Unix, and database systems like Oracle
• Member of a relevant professional institute e.g., BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT)

Desirable:

• Postgraduate business or management qualification e.g., MBA
• Project management qualification
• Experienced minute taker
• Prince2 practitioner

Key Competencies Outline the key accountabilities, responsibilities and requirements of the role in relation to each area, as applicable i.e., knowledge, skills set

 

Project management skills: Strong project management skills and multitasking abilities

Market Knowledge	Awareness and understanding of the wider business, economic and market environment in which the Bank operates: •Knowledge of the IT developments and trends in technology which can assist the Bank to achieve strategic goals.
Business Strategy & Business Model	Awareness and understanding of the Bank business strategy: Knowledge of how IT is critical to the successful implementation of the Business Strategy and how it can be utilised within the Business Model IT continuity plan and disaster recovery process fully tested and maintained Work in partnership with the Head of business areas to ensure each function has the IT tools required to manage the business.
Risk Management & Control	Identify, assess, monitor, control and mitigate risks to the Bank: • Ongoing monitoring to identify Technology risks and plans in place to mitigate and combat risks including: data loss, system weakness/failure, system downtime, external threats from viruses and unauthorized access to system data.
Financial Analysis & Costs	Interpret the Bank’s financial information, to identify key issues based on this information and to put in place appropriate controls and measures: Manage the IT Budget including allocation of funds for capital expenditure, software and hardware. Review and monitor IT expenditure to ensure within Budget, investigating overspend and review analysis of costs incurred
Governance Oversight & Controls	Assess the effectiveness of the Bank’s arrangements to deliver effective governance, oversight and controls in the business and, if necessary, to oversee changes in these areas: Assess how technology can be used in Governance and Control process Ensure Information technology and management are in-line with agreed strategy and policy, and in compliance with government legislation and standards.
Regulatory Framework & Requirements	Awareness and understanding of the regulatory framework in which the Bank operates and the regulatory requirements and expectations: Ensuring the IT systems utilised in the Regulatory Reporting process are available during reporting periods and system upgrades are implemented as required Comply with FCA and PRA conduct rules
People Management	Ability to manage and motivate the IT team through: Setting of key performance indicators and service standards Ensuring the skills held in the IT department are aligned to the delivery of the Strategy
Regulators Conduct Rules	Acts with Integrity, due skill, care and diligence. Is open and cooperative with the Regulators. Pays due regard to customers interests and treats them fairly. Observes market conduct standards.

 

Key Performance Indicators

What are the key performance measures for the role?

• Availability of systems
• Downtime of systems
• Increased system up time
• Response/Resolution time for user requests with timely responses to all IT queries
• Timely identification of IT problems and remediation of iss&l