Senior IT Strategy Manager

Job Description

We are seeking a Senior IT Strategy Manager to join our IT Strategy and Architecture function at AJ Bell. Working closely with the Head of IT Strategy & Architecture, you will provide strategic oversight across our technology portfolio while helping shape and execute our technology strategy. This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic technology leader who excels at maintaining strategic vision across multiple initiatives while driving practical execution through strong stakeholder management.

What are the key responsibilities?

Strategy Development & Execution:

• Partner with the Head of IT Strategy & Architecture and CTO to shape and implement technology strategy.
• Lead and/or provide strategic guidance for key initiatives from vision through to delivery, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Drive strategic outcomes by balancing competing priorities between product, operations, and technology deliveries to ensure maximum business value.
• Support improvement of controls and overall efficiency within Technology Services.

Leadership:

• Partner with the Head of IT Strategy & Architecture, providing strategic guidance across Technology Services.
• Provide guidance and direction to multidisciplinary teams including Architects, Engineers, and Agile Practices without direct line management.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the business to align technology delivery with business needs.
• Drive collaboration between different technical disciplines to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Champion best practices in modern technology delivery approaches.

Strategic Delivery Monitoring:

• Maintain strategic oversight across the portfolio of initiatives, ensuring they remain true to their original vision and business objectives.
• Establish indicators to identify when strategic initiatives begin to drift from their intended outcomes.
• Act as a strategic guardian, intervening when initiatives lose sight of their core purpose and helping realign them with the original vision.
• Collaborate with delivery teams and stakeholders to course-correct strategic initiatives while preserving business value.

Business Architecture Practices:

• Design high-level operating models for the technology function while collaborating with senior stakeholders on specific detailed models for their functions.
• Develop and maintain architecture artifacts that effectively bridge technical and business perspectives.
• Define target states and transition approaches for strategic initiatives.
• Identify and execute improvements in operational efficiency across technology functions.
• Enhance governance and architectural standards across Technology Services.

What you’ll have:

Must Have:

• Proven business architecture experience with a track record of delivering strategic change.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with demonstrated ability to communicate strategic vision effectively across all levels.
• Experience in operating model design and implementation.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to use data to drive decision making.
• Track record of successfully balancing competing priorities in complex technology environments.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strategic oversight across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Valuable Experience:

• Financial services industry experience, including knowledge of FCA regulatory requirements, particularly operational resilience, third-party risk management, change management controls, and consumer duty.
• Experience working with modern development practices including product-aligned teams, Agile, and DevOps.
• Understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), with focus on practical application.

What we offer:

• Starting holiday entitlement of 25, increasing up to 31 days with length of service and a holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 6%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free onsite gym
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Talent development programmes
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals

Hybrid working:

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we'd love to speak to you.