Senior Manager, IT Applications

Senior Manager, IT Applications

Context

Oxera, an international economics and finance consulting firm, is looking for a 'hands on' applications manager. A key leadership role with the IT function at Oxera, this permanent full time role reports to the CIO. The role is likely to be based in Oxford or London. It is expected that the role will require occasional visits to the firm's other locations.

Purpose

The IT Applications Manager is responsible for leading the implementation, ongoing development and support of the firm's line-of-business applications.

The role holder is expected to:

• Contribute to the overall IT strategy, including the development of detailed plans for the portfolio of IT projects
• Ensure that the agreed programme of work is managed and delivered to time and budget
• Lead and undertake development work on the firm's line of business applications
• Develop the teams overall capability, including coaching and mentoring individuals
• Ensure that our strategic suppliers are working to support and develop our overall technology strategy and providing good value for money

The full team comprises this role, a business analyst and a junior developer. Additional capacity is provided by 3rd party organisations, or contractors, as required.

The breakdown of the role is anticipated to approximate to the following:

• 1 major development project, or PM on 2 to 3 projects using contract or 3rd party resources (3 days/week)
• Data architecture & integration (1 day/week)
• Team development, business engagement, strategic planning (1 day/week)

Key Objectives

The use of technology is seen as a central pillar to the firm being able to achieve its business objectives. In light of this the key objectives of this role are to ensure:

• That the firms line of business applications are fit for business purpose, are easy to use, integrated, reliable and secure
• The applications team provides the quality of service the business requires
• End users get the support they need to get the most from the technology at their disposal
• Individual members of the team receive the coaching, mentoring and development support they need to grow their own careers.

The next period of activity will involve:

• The ongoing exploitation of our investment in NetSuite and other systems to provide the best possible experience for our consultancy staff
• Further development our reporting capability by building on our data mart and Power BI tool set (defining requirements, specifying the work required and managing delivery, test & release cycle)
• Developing and implementing a scalable, enterprise class, data integration strategy
• Delivering technical projects under our ‘information as a strategic asset' programme including knowledge and document management
• Developing the capability and working practices of the team

Key Responsabilities

Strategy

• Working with the IT and wider business leadership team to put in place a business led applications and system integration strategy
• Developing, maintaining and driving the required project and programme plans to deliver the strategy
• Acting as a trusted adviser to the business

Programme & Project Management

• Delivering against the detailed plans and budgets, including managing plan changes
• Tracking and communicating progress to the relevant stakeholders
• Running lessons learned sessions and improving project delivery capability
• Manging project resources, including 3rd party resources

Service Delivery

• Leading development efforts by the team, including the use of 3rd party resources as appropriate
• It is expected that this role will retain a significant hand on development component

Team Development

• Leading the team and handling personnel issues as and when they arise
• Coaching and mentoring staff
• Encourage staff to develop the services they provide to be as good they can be

Supplier Management

• Developing relationships with key suppliers to ensure they help to carry the load, provide the necessary level of stretch resource as well as contributing to the development and maintenance of our overall technology strategy

Skills and competencies

• Oxera's core business application is NetSuite, which is integrated with other specialist applications such as Access HR and PowerBI and the post holder is expected to have relevant technical experience of working with these applications.
• Ability to work within a changing environment, demonstrating resilience, adaptability and flexibility to meet demands of a growing international professional services partnership
• Can maintain a broad focus while not losing sight of crucial details
• Has a flexible and open-minded approach to problem-solving, able to influence decisions and works collaboratively when presenting a range of solutions
• Can work with stakeholders at all levels of the business, particularly confident when dealing with senior stakeholders, and manages their expectations
• Able to build and maintains constructive and effective partnerships with all Oxera teams and colleagues for mutual benefit
• Excellent communication skills, able to present information in an engaging manner, using the language of their audience
• Questions confidently with a clear purpose in mind
• Effectively monitors and manages time and resources needed for projects / activities to ensure successful delivery
• Ability to lead, manage and motivate colleagues and the team to achieve high levels of performance
• Self-discipline to set and maintain delivery standards expected around by the firm
• Demonstrates effective negotiation and management skills to achieve optimum results
• Integrity and professionalism