Head of Financial Services Technology Operations

Sopra Steria; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% Bonus

Car allowance £6,600

25 days annual leave

Private medical

Life assurance

Pension

Flexible benefits fund

Job summary

Sopra Steria in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Financial Services Technology Operations to lead technology services for key client relationships, drive operational excellence and support growth.

You will build and inspire high-performing teams, oversee service delivery and governance, and manage budgets and performance across numerous accounts in a hybrid UK-wide role with travel to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience operating at CIO or equivalent level within complex enterprise technology environments.
• Strong expertise in technology operations, IT service delivery, operating models and service management best practice.
• Experience managing large technology budgets, contractual commitments, service performance, KPIs and third-party delivery partners.
• Track record of building high-performing teams, developing capability and delivering sustainable operational improvement.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance customer, client and business objectives in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders, shaping strategy and influencing decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead technology strategy, operational performance and transformation roadmap across Financial Services accounts.
• Build, develop and inspire high-performing technology teams.
• Oversee delivery of technology services, service transitions and change programmes.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cost optimisation and contract performance.
• Ensure governance, risk, security, compliance and operational controls are embedded.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, suppliers and partners to drive continual service improvement.

Skills

CIO level leadership

Technology operations

Budget management

Service delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic influence

Job description

Are you an experienced technology leader who thrives on transforming complex operations, building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional outcomes for customers?

We're looking for a Head of Financial Services Technology Operations to play a pivotal leadership role within our growing Financial Services business. As part of the Technology and Transformation leadership team, you'll be responsible for shaping and delivering technology services that support some of our most important client relationships, while driving operational excellence, innovation and business growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a business with ambitious growth plans and significant investment in digital transformation, automation and AI-enabled services. You'll lead the evolution of technology operations, influence strategic direction and build strong relationships with clients, partners and internal stakeholders to ensure services consistently deliver value.

We can offer excellent career progression opportunities, a collaborative and supportive environment, flexible benefits, and the opportunity to help shape the future of technology operations across a growing Financial Services portfolio. This is a hybrid role, with travel to customer and Sopra Steria locations as required for leadership meetings, governance activities and client engagement.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading the technology strategy, operational performance and technical infrastructure transformation roadmap across Financial Services accounts, delivering improved customer experiences and business outcomes.
• Building, developing and inspiring high-performing technology teams, creating a customer-focused culture that supports growth, innovation and operational excellence.
• Overseeing the delivery of technology services, service transitions and operational change programmes, ensuring commitments are achieved across budget, quality, risk and performance measures.
• Managing commercial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, cost optimisation, contract performance and contribution to business growth objectives.
• Ensuring effective governance, service management, risk, security, compliance and operational controls are embedded across technology services.
• Building trusted relationships with clients, suppliers and strategic partners, driving continual service improvement and resolving complex operational challenges.

What you'll bring:

• Proven leadership experience operating at CIO, or equivalent level within complex enterprise technology environments.
• Strong expertise in technology operations, IT service delivery, operating models and service management best practice.
• Experience managing large technology budgets, contractual commitments, service performance, KPIs and third-party delivery partners.
• A track record of building high-performing teams, developing capability and delivering sustainable operational improvement.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance customer, client and business objectives in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders, with the ability to shape strategy and influence decision-making.

It would be great if you had:

• Experience working within regulated financial services environments.
• Experience leading technology delivery, transformation or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong customer experience management and operational transformation expertise.
• Professional membership of a recognised technology industry body.
• Qualifications such as ITIL, service management certifications or equivalent industry-recognised credentials.

Employment Type:

Full-time, Permanent.

Location:

Newcastle or Durham - Hybrid with frequent travel to client sites across the UK.

Security Clearance Level:

SC Level, or eligible for SC Level

Benefits:

5% Bonus, £6,600 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.

Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us?

Our business is, first and foremost, about people. And it always has been. The solutions we develop are driven by the connections they make and the problems they solve. Our services only matter if they work for people and if they serve a greater purpose. Known for our collaborative approach, we provide consulting and digital services, creating innovative solutions, at scale, to deliver sustainable growth and services that make life better.

Our work touches many lives in the UK. From helping the Government provide essential public and health services that offer more convenience and choice, to improving financial services to deliver fairer, customer‑centric solutions.

Together we are building a better future by delivering real and lasting value.

We are just at the start of what we can achieve together. Come and join us!