Global Manager - Core It Platform Services

2021 Gategroup Services Belgrade; Madrid; Remote; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

gategroup seeks a Global Manager - Core IT Platform Services to lead lifecycle governance and continuous improvement of enterprise applications such as ERP (D365, SAP), HRIS (Workday), and Finance systems. You will bridge business and technology, drive platform-wide standards, and oversee vendor relations to ensure reliable, secure, and cost-efficient platforms globally.

The role coordinates with multiple functions to align roadmaps, ensure data quality, and support modernization priorities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or Business Administration.
• Master’s degree in Information Systems, IT Management, Business Administration or Digital Transformation preferred.
• 10+ years in IT, enterprise applications, or platform management.
• 7+ years managing enterprise platforms across ERP, HRIS, Finance, Procurement and corporate systems.
• Experience in large, multinational, matrix organizations; strong vendor/SI management.

Responsibilities

• Own the lifecycle of enterprise applications (ERP, HRIS, Finance, Procurement, Legal).
• Define platform governance, release processes, and change control.
• Drive standardization, simplification, and global adoption of templates.
• Collaborate with Business Engagement, Infrastructure, and Data teams.
• Manage platform vendors and system integrators; support negotiations.
• Ensure reliability, cost efficiency, and adherence to SLAs/OLAs.

Skills

IT Leadership

Platform Governance

Enterprise Platforms

Vendor Management

Global Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in IT/CS/IS/Eng/Business Admin

Master’s in IT/Management or Digital Transformation

Tools

D365

SAP

Workday

Job description

We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better.

Application Deadline: 05 February 2026

Position Location: This is a global role, and applications are welcome from all gategroup locations. The final work location will be determined based on the location of the successful candidate.

Application Requirements: Please submit your application with a CV in English, as English is the working language for this role.

Internal Applicants: In line with internal guidelines, internal candidates are requested to inform their current line manager prior to applying.

Job Summary

The Global Manager - Core IT Platform Services position leads the lifecycle management, governance, and continuous improvement of all enterprise applications and business platforms outside the SACS & Operations Suite. This includes ERP systems (D365, SAP), HRIS (Workday), Finance (SAP), Procurement (D365), Legal, Operational Support tools, and associated integration platforms.

The role ensures that core platforms are standardized, secure, reliable, aligned with the all-time IT strategy and gategroup’s mission to Simplify, Standardize, and Innovate. Acting as a bridge between Business Engagement, Technology Alignment Office, Infrastructure, and Service Reliability teams, this role owns platform scalability, lifecycle governance, product roadmap coordination, and end-user adoption across global functions.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Platform Ownership

• Manage the lifecycle of enterprise applications (ERP, HRIS, Finance, Procurement, Legal, etc.) in line with architecture and security standards.
• Maintain platform lifecycle plans (upgrades, patches, dependencies, end-of-life).
• Ensure documentation, configuration baselines, and standards are maintained.

Standardization & Simplification

• Drive platform harmonization and rationalization, removing duplications.
• Promote global adoption of standardized templates and configurations.
• Support Spark’IT 2030 simplification and modernization priorities.

Governance

• Define and enforce platform policies, release processes, and change governance.
• Ensure compliance with cybersecurity, identity, and audit requirements.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with Business Engagement to translate functional needs into scalable platform solutions.
• Partner with Data & Analytics on data quality, MDM alignment, and stewardship.
• Coordinate with Infrastructure, Architecture, and Innovation teams.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage platform vendors and system integrators to ensure performance and contract compliance.
• Support procurement and legal during negotiations and renewals.

Support & Operations

• Collaborate with IT Operations & Service Reliability on monitoring, incident prevention, and SRE practices.
• Act as L3 escalation point and coordinate resolution with internal/external teams.
• Ensure platform performance, stability, and adherence to SLAs/OLAs.

Accountable for global reliability, cost efficiency, and user experience KPIs within the Corporate Services service catalog.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or Business Administration
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Information Systems, IT Management, Business Administration, or Digital Transformation

Work Experience

• 10+ years of experience in IT, enterprise applications, or platform management
• 7+ years managing enterprise platforms across ERP, HRIS, Finance, Procurement, and corporate systems
• Proven delivery of global platform standardization, simplification, and rationalization initiatives
• Experience working in large, multinational, matrix organizations
• Strong track record in vendor and system integrator management

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in enterprise application platforms, including ERP, HRIS, Finance, Procurement, and corporate support systems
• Solid understanding of platform lifecycle management, including upgrades, patching, and end-of-life planning
• Experience with integration platforms, middleware, and cloud / hybrid IT environments
• Knowledge of IT service management, security, identity and access management, and audit requirements
• Ability to define and track platform KPIs related to reliability, cost efficiency, and user experience

Languages

• Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional regional languages are an asset.

Required Core Competencies

• Strategic & Systems Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to think strategically and holistically across complex systems, applying the principles of Standardize Simplify Innovate to guide decisions and priorities.
• Decision Making & Accountability: Makes timely, data-informed decisions in complex and ambiguous situations and takes ownership for outcomes related to cost, reliability, and service quality.
• People Leadership & Development: Leads, coaches, and develops teams, fostering accountability, capability growth, and engagement while building resilient, high-performing global teams.
• Business & Stakeholder Acumen: Understands business priorities and stakeholder needs and effectively balances them with platform standards and long-term sustainability.
• Governance & Change Discipline: Applies sound judgment in governance, security, and compliance matters while driving change in a structured, resilient, and disciplined way.

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