Senior IT Strategy Manager

AJ Bell; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is searching for a Senior IT Strategy Manager to lead strategic initiatives within their IT Strategy and Architecture function. This role offers the chance to shape technology strategy, drive collaboration across teams, and ensure alignment with business goals. With a focus on stakeholder management and operational efficiency, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering strategic outcomes. The company fosters a hybrid working environment, encouraging strong connections while providing numerous perks, including generous holiday entitlements and professional development opportunities. If you're a strategic leader passionate about technology, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Starting holiday entitlement of 27 days

Pension schemes with matched contributions

Discretionary bonus scheme

Annual free share awards

Health Cash Plan

Discounted private healthcare

Free onsite gym

Employee Assistance Programme

Personal development programmes

Casual dress code

Qualifications

• Proven business architecture experience with a track record of delivering strategic change.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders to shape and implement technology strategy.
• Maintain strategic oversight across multiple initiatives to ensure alignment with business goals.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Vision

Analytical Skills

Operating Model Design

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

TOGAF

Agile

DevOps

Job description

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

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:

• 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

About us:

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 593,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £90.4 billion.

What we offer:

• Starting holiday entitlement of 27, 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 8%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme & Buy As You Earn Scheme
• Health Cash Plan - provided by SimplyHealth
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free onsite gym
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Death in service scheme
• Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and assessing new tech
• Support to attend conferences, events, and meet-ups
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, and much more
• Parking at Exchange Quay
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• 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.