Strategic Lead (Applications)

IRIS Recruitment; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Lead (Applications) position is available in Stoke-on-Trent, offered on a hybrid basis with a salary around £50,676 per year. The role focuses on leading the development and support of the applications portfolio, enabling smarter working and delivering real value for colleagues and customers.

You will drive improvements, manage upgrades, and collaborate with business teams and suppliers. Significant hands-on Microsoft 365 experience (SharePoint, Teams, Power Automate) and a strong

Qualifications

• Experience leading application support, systems development or digital transformation activities.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a logical and analytical approach.
• Demonstrable experience managing third-party suppliers, integrations and technology partners.
• Significant hands-on experience with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including SharePoint, Teams and Power Automate.
• The ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, engaging communications for a range of audiences.
• Experience prioritising and managing backlogs, system enhancements, roadmaps and change initiatives.
• A strong understanding of data management, information security and application governance.
• Knowledge of ITIL principles and service management practices.
• Experience using technology and AI to drive business improvement and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of application improvements, digital workflows, process automation and system enhancements.
• Manage system upgrades and projects from planning and testing through to successful implementation.
• Ensure excellent day-to-day application support, maintaining service levels and driving continuous improvement.
• Work closely with business teams, suppliers and stakeholders to identify opportunities for innovation and change.
• Explore and implement AI-enabled solutions that improve efficiency and customer experience.
• Lead training, testing and engagement activities to support the successful adoption of new systems and enhancements.
• Monitor performance, measure benefits and provide meaningful reporting to project boards, improvement boards and leadership forums.
• Champion robust data management, governance and business continuity practices across applications and systems.

Skills

Application leadership

Digital transformation

Stakeholder management

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

Power Automate

Communication skills

Backlog management

Data governance

ITIL knowledge

AI for business

Education

IT degree

Tools

SharePoint

Teams

Power Automate

Microsoft 365

Job description

Strategic Lead (Applications)

Location: Stoke-on-Trent/ Hybrid

Salary: £50,676 a year

Are you an experienced applications leader with a passion for digital transformation, systems improvement and delivering exceptional user experiences?

At our client, they're looking for a strategic and hands-on leader to oversee the development and support of our applications portfolio, ensuring our systems continue to evolve, enable smarter working, and deliver real value for colleagues and customers alike.

What you'll do:

• Lead the development and delivery of application improvements, digital workflows, process automation and system enhancements.
• Manage system upgrades and projects from planning and testing through to successful implementation.
• Ensure excellent day-to-day application support, maintaining service levels and driving continuous improvement.
• Work closely with business teams, suppliers and stakeholders to identify opportunities for innovation and change.
• Explore and implement AI-enabled solutions that improve efficiency and customer experience.
• Lead training, testing and engagement activities to support the successful adoption of new systems and enhancements.
• Monitor performance, measure benefits and provide meaningful reporting to project boards, improvement boards and leadership forums.
• Champion robust data management, governance and business continuity practices across applications and systems.

Who you are:

We're seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking technology professional who combines technical expertise with strong leadership and communication skills.

You'll bring:

• Experience leading application support, systems development or digital transformation activities.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a logical and analytical approach.
• Demonstrable experience managing third-party suppliers, integrations and technology partners.
• Significant hands-on experience with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including SharePoint, Teams and Power Automate.
• The ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, engaging communications for a range of audiences.
• Experience prioritising and managing backlogs, system enhancements, roadmaps and change initiatives.
• A strong understanding of data management, information security and application governance.
• Knowledge of ITIL principles and service management practices.
• Experience using technology and AI to drive business improvement and innovation.

Desirable

• Project, Change Management or Lean qualification.
• People management qualifications or formal leadership training.
• IT degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Microsoft 365 certification.
• Experience working alongside data and analytics teams

Why Join Us?

At our client, you'll have the opportunity to influence strategic technology decisions, lead meaningful change, and help shape digital services that make a real difference to our colleagues and customers. Working within a values-driven organisation, you'll be empowered to innovate, collaborate and continuously improve how we deliver our services

Closing date: 22nd November 2026

Shortlist date: 23rd November 2026

Interview date: TBC