Head of Applications

Yolk Recruitment Ltd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 104,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Yolk Recruitment Ltd. is seeking a strategic Head of Applications & Delivery in South Wales. The role combines senior leadership with hands-on delivery across the organisation's application estate and digital portfolio, ensuring secure, resilient and fit-for-purpose systems.

You will drive strategy, manage complex programmes, oversee suppliers, and build high-performing teams to deliver measurable business outcomes in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience leading enterprise applications and digital delivery in complex or regulated environments.
• Proven ability to manage large portfolios of enterprise, operational and customer-facing systems.
• Strong understanding of application lifecycle management and system integration.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the application and digital delivery strategy aligned with business priorities and regulatory requirements.
• Lead management of the application portfolio, including lifecycle, performance, resilience and obsolescence.
• Oversee major technology and digital programmes with governance, risk management and benefits realisation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Enterprise applications

Digital delivery

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Supplier management

Delivery governance

Change and release management

Education

Degree in IT / Computer Science / Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Head of Applications

South Wales

Hybrid

£115k (circa)

Role overview

Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, the Head of Applications & Delivery provides strategic and operational leadership across the organisation's application estate and digital delivery portfolio.

The role is responsible for ensuring applications are secure, resilient, reliable and fit for purpose, while overseeing the successful delivery of technology change that supports business and operational priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the application and digital delivery strategy in line with business priorities and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the management of the application portfolio, including lifecycle, performance, resilience and technology obsolescence.
• Oversee major technology and digital programmes, ensuring effective governance, delivery quality, risk management and benefits realisation.
• Ensure effective application support, change and release management to maintain service stability and continuity.
• Work with architecture, data, security and operational teams to ensure effective integration and joined-up technology delivery.
• Lead strategic supplier and partner relationships, ensuring performance, assurance and value for money.
• Build and develop high-performing application and delivery teams, promoting strong delivery and service cultures.
• Provide senior leadership with clear insight into application performance, delivery progress, investment and risk.
• Drive continuous improvement in application management, delivery practices, tools and ways of working.

You will bring:

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification in IT, computer science, engineering, digital delivery or a related discipline.
• Significant senior-level experience leading enterprise applications and digital delivery within a complex, asset-intensive or regulated environment.
• Proven experience managing large and diverse application portfolios, including enterprise, operational and customer-facing systems.
• Experience delivering complex technology programmes and projects using appropriate delivery methodologies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technology or digital teams and managing strategic suppliers.
• Strong understanding of enterprise applications, system integration and application lifecycle management.
• Strong knowledge of digital delivery, change and release management in business-critical environments.
• Commercial and financial experience, including budget management and supplier performance.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with strong operational delivery and a focus on business outcomes.

Yolk Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and embraces diversity in our workforce. We employ the best people for the job at hand and actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, educational background, parental status, gender identity or any other protected characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity at Yolk allowing our team to bring their whole selves to work.