IT Infrastructure Technical SME | S3 | CIO | Milton Keynes

Santander; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global banking and financial services company in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced IT Infrastructure Technical SME to lead initiatives on infrastructure strategy. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in IT infrastructure, strong problem-solving skills, and excellent communication abilities. The role offers a hybrid working pattern with competitive rewards, including a car allowance and medical insurance.

Benefits

30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

£6,000 car allowance

Company funded individual private medical insurance

Death-in-service benefit and income protection

Access to staff discounts and offers

Flexible healthcare and fitness access

Support for various life stages

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an IT Infrastructure SME or Senior Infrastructure Engineer.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues quickly and effectively.
• Experience in managing relationships with vendors and evaluating vendor performance.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical lead and subject matter expert for Infrastructure environments.
• Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis for IT Infrastructure incidents.
• Contribute to infrastructure roadmaps and capacity planning.

Skills

Strong knowledge of IT Infrastructure

Proven problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Job description

IT Infrastructure Technical SME | S3 | CIO | Milton Keynes

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer‑centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

The difference you make

Santander UK, CIO is looking for an IT Infrastructure Technical SME based out of Milton Keynes.

We are seeking highly skilled IT Infrastructure Technical SME to join our team and play a pivotal role in shaping and supporting the organisation’s IT Infrastructure strategy.

As the SME, you’ll serve as a technical authority on Infrastructure‑related matters, providing expertise across servers, storage and back‑ups, networks, cloud solutions, API and middleware.

The Technical SME will work hand in hand with the Service Manager in the management of all phases of the product life cycle (non‑technical and technical) from discovery to contract termination and exit.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting‑edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Act as the technical lead and subject matter expert for Infrastructure environments.
• Support in troubleshooting and root cause analysis for IT Infrastructure incidents.
• Contribute to infrastructure roadmaps and capacity planning.
• Ensure compliance with IT policies, security standards and governance frameworks.
• Providing regular progress updates to the UK Service Manager, Leadership team and other stakeholders, highlighting risks or delays to projects or planned works.
• Managing technical relationships with SDS, vendors and third‑party providers of hardware, software, and group managed services.
• Assess, Review and appropriately challenge Infrastructure changes.
• Extract actionable insights for technical services provided to Santander UK by internal and external providers.

What you’ll bring

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

Professional experience

• Proven experience in a similar role as an IT Infrastructure SME or Senior Infrastructure Engineer (Required)
• Strong knowledge and understanding of IT Infrastructure, including Networking, Middleware, Cloud Infrastructure, Storage and Back‑ups, API (Required)
• Proven problem‑solving skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues quickly and effectively (Required)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly articulate technical information to diverse audiences (Preferred)
• Experience in change management, including developing and implementing change management strategies and managing resistance to change (Preferred)
• Experience in managing relationships with vendors and evaluating vendor performance (Preferred)
• Experience within licensing, contract renewals, QBRs & Service reviews (Preferred)
• Soft skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly articulate technical information to senior team members and wider stakeholders at a business level (Essential)
• Constructively challenge technical findings and service outputs to drive continuous improvement (Essential)
• Demonstrates the confidence and analytical ability to question assumptions and improve technical deliverables (Preferred)

We value your impact

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year
• £6,000 car allowance per year
• Company funded individual private medical insurance
• Protection for you and your family, with company‑funded death‑in‑service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.
• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans.
• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services
• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.
• Wellbeing that goes beyond work – we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
• Support for every life stage – from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.
• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.
• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

Local compliance

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone – regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive – at work and at home – while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site‑based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro‑rata for part‑time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

Right to work in the UK

• Every individual must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander either by way of nationality, visa or work permit. If you do require a working visa / permit this will not influence our decision on whether to progress your application. However, if you do not have a right to work, or an application for a working visa / permit is unsuccessful, Santander will not proceed with your application and will withdraw any conditional offer previously made.

We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs.

What to do next

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at [e-mail].