Management (Information & Communication Technology)
Are you a visionary leader with a passion for technology and innovation? Do you have a track record of driving change, enhancing cybersecurity, and building competitive advantage in a fast-evolving financial services landscape? Lifetime is seeking a dynamic and strategic General Manager of Technology to lead our tech transformation and steer our digital landscape towards future growth.
About the Role
As the General Manager of Technology, you'll be at the forefront of shaping and executing our IT and digital strategies. You'll oversee the design, selection, and adoption of technology solutions that support business growth, enhance our competitive edge, and ensure operational excellence. With a focus on cyber security, risk management, and data integrity, you'll be responsible for safeguarding our digital assets and driving innovation across the business.
You'll work closely with our Academy team to deliver staff training and awareness programmes, ensuring our people stay up to date with emerging technologies and cybersecurity best practices. Leading a team of IT professionals, you'll also be responsible for driving continuous improvement, optimising our digital tools, and aligning technology initiatives with our long-term strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Business Growth:
Develop and implement forward-thinking IT and digital strategies that support our overall business objectives.
Build competitive advantage by carefully selecting and designing technology solutions that drive business growth.
Maintain comprehensive product and development roadmaps that align with strategic goals.
Lead technology innovation by staying up to date with emerging tech trends and industry developments.
Partner with internal teams to identify opportunities for digital transformation and operational efficiency.
Cyber Security & Risk Management:
Drive a robust cybersecurity strategy to protect our systems, data, and customer information from ever-evolving threats.
Oversee risk management frameworks, ensuring potential risks are mitigated through strong policies and preventive measures.
Implement and monitor security protocols across all systems, staying aligned with regulatory requirements and best practices.
Deliver staff training and awareness programmes in partnership with the Academy to foster a culture of cybersecurity and resilience.
Lead, mentor, and manage a team of IT professionals, fostering a high-performance culture focused on innovation, security, and service delivery.
Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and external vendors to drive digital initiatives and ensure clear communication across all projects.
Champion a collaborative and inclusive environment, where technology becomes an enabler of business success.
Technology Governance & Compliance:
Establish strong IT governance policies and ensure full compliance with internal standards and industry regulations.
Conduct regular IT audits and reviews, ensuring all systems are up to date, compliant, and free from vulnerabilities.
Operational IT & Business Continuity:
Oversee daily IT operations, ensuring optimal performance of internal and external systems, including network infrastructure, cloud services, and third-party platforms.
Lead the development and implementation of business continuity and disaster recovery plans to mitigate disruptions and ensure ongoing operations in the event of system outages or crises.
Direct the custom development of proprietary software and adviser tools, ensuring scalability and flexibility for future business growth.
Foster a culture of agile development, encouraging fast iteration, ongoing feedback, and collaboration between product, IT, and business teams.
Advanced Data & Analytics:
Lead the development of a data and analytics strategy that empowers teams with actionable insights, improving decision-making across the business.
Ensure data integrity and security while enabling data democratisation, making key business insights available to all relevant stakeholders.
Cross-functional Collaboration:
Partner with key stakeholders across departments, ensuring IT solutions are aligned with wider business goals and operational needs.
Communicate regularly with both technical and non-technical teams, translating complex IT concepts into clear business-focused insights.
Key Relationships:
Internal: Senior Leadership Team, Managing Director, CEO, Operations Team, and the Academy.
External: Third-party vendors, partners, and technology service providers.
What We're Looking For
Proven experience in IT and digital strategy development within a multi-channel financial services business.
Strong background in cybersecurity, risk management, and data governance.
Expertise in CRM systems (Xplan experience beneficial) and system integrations.
Experience leading digital transformation initiatives and successfully managing IT programmes.
Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with a passion for driving change and innovation.
Familiarity with coding languages (Python a bonus), with an emphasis on continuous improvement and business growth.
Proven ability to manage operational IT, ensuring uptime, system optimisation, and service delivery.
Experience developing and executing advanced data analytics strategies that drive business insights and operational efficiency.
Strong understanding of IT governance, compliance, and risk mitigation practices.
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