IT Operations Manager

AdvanceWorks; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AdvanceWorks is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to support a banking client, ensuring efficient, transparent IT resource management. You will own the IT budget cycle, manage supplier contracts, and define IT governance aligned with business objectives.

The role emphasizes regulatory compliance (DORA, EBA) and IT risk management, with strong communication to technical teams, stakeholders, and auditors, and a drive for cost control, optimization, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in IT roles focusing on budget, contracts, or governance.
• Experience in banking or critical environments.
• Hands-on supplier and contract management and budget control.
• Knowledge of COBIT and ITIL frameworks.
• Familiarity with DORA and EBA outsourcing guidelines.
• Experience supporting internal and external audits.
• Strong analytical, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Proactive and able to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Own the IT budget cycle (CAPEX/OPEX) and forecasts.
• Drive cost control and optimization while ensuring budget compliance.
• Manage supplier contracts lifecycle: negotiation, renewal, amendments.
• Oversee supplier performance against SLAs and penalties.
• Define and maintain IT governance policies and processes.
• Ensure regulatory compliance (DORA, EBA) and risk management.
• Deliver KPIs and reporting for budgets, contracts, governance.
• Drive continuous improvement in budgeting and contract management.

Skills

Budget management

Contract management

IT Governance

Supplier management

Accountability

Audits

Programming governance

Communication

Adaptability

Proactivity

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Job description

At AdvanceWorks, we learn, grow, and have fun together. And we do all this while creating great software solutions for clients across many industries and geographies.

We are constantly challenging ourselves and each other to use the latest technologies and the best methodologies and make sure we walk the talk.

Exciting as it may sound, we also have our red lines: each of us is a unique person, with unique opinions, beliefs, options, interests, hopes, and fears. With the right to speak its mind, be mindful of the common goals, and always be constructive.

The way we respect each other, discuss different points of view, and challenge ourselves and each other while tackling our common challenges makes us strong. United. Brave. And sure that there will be a better tomorrow, even when we do mistakes. Because we learn from our failures and successes.

What will be your role

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to support a client in the banking sector in ensuring the efficient, transparent, and controlled management of its IT resources. You will own the IT budget cycle, manage the full lifecycle of contracts with IT suppliers, and define and maintain the IT Governance model, keeping IT services aligned with business objectives.

A key focus of this role is regulatory compliance in a highly regulated, critical environment, including DORA, EBA Guidelines on outsourcing arrangements, as well as the management of IT and third-party risk.

Beyond the financial and contractual responsibilities, the position requires excellent communication with technical teams, business stakeholders, suppliers, and auditors, translating budget, contract, and governance data into clear reporting that supports decision-making.

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical skills with a continuous improvement mindset, promoting cost control, compliance, and the ongoing optimization of budgeting, contracting, and governance processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the IT Budget Cycle: Prepare, manage, and monitor the IT budget (CAPEX/OPEX), including annual planning, forecasts, and variance analysis.
• Drive Cost Control and Optimization: Monitor IT service costs and consumption, identify optimization opportunities, and ensure compliance with the approved budget.
• Manage the Supplier Contract Lifecycle: Lead the contracting, renewal, amendment, and termination of IT supplier contracts, ensuring adherence to contractual terms and conditions.
• Oversee Supplier Performance: Track supplier performance against agreed SLAs and service levels, ensuring the application of penalties and service credits where applicable.
• Define and Maintain the IT Governance Model: Design, implement, and evolve IT Governance policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Guarantee compliance with applicable regulatory and normative requirements (e.g., DORA, EBA Guidelines on outsourcing arrangements), supporting internal and external audits and the management of IT and third-party risk.
• Deliver KPIs and Reporting: Produce regular indicators and reports on budget, contracts, and governance to support management decision-making.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement opportunities to improve and optimize budgeting, contract management, and governance processes.

Who will work by your side?

You will work as part of a team on a project and also with the AdvanceWorks team, a team of experts, and thus become part of a team of people who care about each other. Amazing people and professionals who are proud of their technology and leadership skills yet eager to learn from you and be challenged.

They will want to know you and understand your motivations and aspirations, but also your pitfalls and development needs. People who will be there for a personalized onboarding, to listen to you, and to challenge you. To help you become a better person and professional, challenging you and helping you to challenge yourself. And to invite you for a drink after work (yes, even in remote!), because there is nothing as good and positive as a good laugh.

You'll also work side by side with our clients, spanning a wide range of industries and countries. And that means working with more bright minds, being empathetic about each other, and always keeping in mind that every brilliant piece of software we produce has two objectives: to achieve a specific business goal, and to make the people who built it as successful as you want to be.

What should you bring to the team?

• At least 3 years of experience in IT roles, with a focus on budget management, contract management, and/or IT Governance.
• Experience working in critical environments, preferably in the banking or financial sector.
• Hands-on experience in supplier management, contract management, and budget control (CAPEX/OPEX, forecasting, variance analysis).
• Knowledge of IT Governance and IT Service Management frameworks; COBIT and ITIL are a plus.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements applicable to the banking sector, such as DORA and the EBA Guidelines on outsourcing arrangements, and with IT and third-party risk management.
• Experience supporting internal and external audits is a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• High proactivity and sense of initiative.
• Strong adaptability to dynamic contexts.
• High level of commitment and accountability.
• Good communication skills, with both technical teams and business stakeholders.
• Results orientation and commitment to deadlines.
• Strong teamwork skills, both with colleagues and external partners.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage priorities and work under pressure.

What is in it for you?

• Work with an international team;
• To have a leading role in a huge team, and work with a multinational team;
• An amazing informal culture of smart hardworking and friendly people that support and care about each other;
• Be involved in strategic and operational initiatives beyond the scope of your main mission;
• Formal training and certifications in technology, methodology, and relational skills;
• Challenging projects with exciting clients and state-of-the-art technology;
• A dynamic company where you can make a difference and where talent and results matter (and politics do not);
• Flexibility with responsibility;
• Happy hours and after-hours feel-good actions.