You will interface between the business unit and the regional IT teams, ensuring alignment between business strategy and IT and driving continuous operational efficiencies. You will act as the IT trusted adviser and point person for the management team and being the advocate for technology within the operation.

In the role of Trusted Adviser the Head of Technology will need to champion the requirements of (including identifying, developing critical IT business solutions), and back to the regional IT teams to ensure that their voice is heard. You will assume end-to-end accountability for delivery of IT services for the included in the Portfolio, including Build and Supply, and including projects, development, support and work requests/BAU. You will also be accountable to encompass facilitation of the project pipeline and program management accountability for all IT projects within the.

You will also raise awareness of business vision, strategy, goals and tactics in IT.

Schedule: 8 hour shift; Evening shift

Strategy and Planning

• Act as the single owner for all Technology services that provides to the various divisions and ensure the services provided meet the relevant business needs in terms of quality, efficiency, and speed
• Expand the Technology Services footprint in in terms of headcount and “revenues” for
• Define and implement a strategy and operating model for “insourcing” selected critical Technology skills back into the firm (in close collaboration with Group CIO and divisional CIOs)

Policy, Process and Procedures

• Encourage high standards of relationship management to achieve a high standard of both customer awareness of technology services, and a strong rating in terms of team performance
• Collaborate with business leaders to help design and deliver plans and determine the technological needs and process competencies that are most critical in terms of delivering those plans and strategies

Environmental Awareness/Customer Focus

• Manage and enhance the relationships between the cross-region IT teams supporting the and key business stakeholders to ensure service delivery meets business needs
• Oversee the management of effective relationships with project business owners to ensure full engagement and sponsorship from project inception to completion

Technical Performance

• Position the company technologically ahead of competitors, particularly focusing on current and anticipated requirements
• Lead the identification and assessment of new technologies to determine their potential value to the company as they relate to the immediate and long term objectives

People Management

• Provide leadership and support to local IT team individual accountability through an ongoing performance management approach that aligns personal performance objectives with strategic goals
• Lead, motivate and manage the team to ensure the overall output and quality of the technology service is within specified levels

• With 10 – 15+ years relevant experience on IT management
• Expert knowledge of relationship management and the skills and techniques used to establish and maintain key relationships
• Expert knowledge of change management and programmed management methodologies, techniques and tools
• Extensive insurance industry knowledge and experience in UK, European and Lloyds markets including best practice infrastructures, processes and business practices
• Excellent customer relationship management skills, capable of establishing and maintaining relationships across the business and influencing design and policy where required
• Confident and credible and capable of offering insightful commentary and advice both to the business and peers and team members
• Excellent communications skills – both verbal and written
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills
• Strong networking skills
• Commercial acumen
• Leadership skills – ability to motivate, empower and engage employees
• Finance management – including budget management, forecasting and cost analysis
• Problem solving and decision making skills
• Strong strategic planning capabilities (approaches and processes, tools, deliverables)
• Bachelor’s Degree holder

Preferred Experience

• Extensive change and technology management experience in senior level role within the insurance industry
• Strong experience of managing relationships with internal business customers at a senior level
• Significant experience of working with global & regional IT teams
• Professional work ethic with a passion for relationship management
• A confident and supportive manager, with experience in coaching and mentoring
• Considerable experience and understanding of the project lifecycle, process methodologies, with a good understanding of the principles of IT Service Management
• Broad financial services experience with strong understanding of insurance processes and technology preferably in the London Market and Regional operations
• Good commercial awareness and negotiation skills, preferably combined with experience of working with 3rd party strategic partners
• Proven experience of consistent and constructive people management capabilities