Senior Manager, IT Applications

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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