Global Head of Applications ( Location flexible as frequent International travel required)
I'm exclusively partnered with a market-leading, private equity-backed IT services and consulting firm to appoint a Global Head of Applications. This is a key role within the Global Leadership Team, responsible for defining global application strategy and ensuring high-quality delivery performance.
Reporting to the CTO, this role sets clear technology and delivery priorities, strengthens global delivery models, and ensures consistent, high-quality outcomes for clients. It combines strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in complex client engagements, major deals, and critical delivery challenges. The successful candidate will shape the applications portfolio, support strategic sales, and translate emerging technologies into scalable, practical solutions aligned to an AI-driven future.
Acting as a senior technology and delivery leader, the role partners closely with the CTO, growth leadership, and regional leaders to enhance technology direction, improve delivery consistency, and build future-ready operating models in line with evolving client expectations and market dynamics.
Core Competencies
* Extensive hands-on technical leadership experience
* Deep expertise in digital transformation, consulting, and large-scale software delivery
* Strong understanding of global markets, customers, and competitive landscape
* Knowledge of full-stack software lifecycle and evolving technologies
* Proven track record in defining and executing technology and delivery strategies
* Experience driving organisational change across multiple regions
* Ability to build and scale modern delivery and engineering organisations
* Strong involvement in complex sales and pre-sales, including solution and commercial shaping
* Capability to develop and manage a cohesive global portfolio
* Recognised thought leadership (publishing, speaking, or industry engagement)
Strategic Responsibilities
* Define and own the global technology portfolio roadmap and delivery vision, with a focus on AI, architecture, and delivery models
* Build and align global technical and delivery capabilities across regions
* Ensure offerings meet client needs, market maturity, and commercial objectives
* Establish pragmatic AI delivery principles, avoiding low-value or hype-driven initiatives
* Implement governance from innovation through to scalable offerings
* Evolve service and delivery models to balance quality, speed, cost, and scalability
* Strengthen global portfolio structures to drive consistency and cross-regional collaboration
* Support strategic sales by ensuring solutions are technically robust, commercially viable, and differentiated
Operational Responsibilities
* Own delivery quality and technical excellence across regions
* Drive predictability, margin protection, and strong client outcomes
* Lead major delivery escalations and recovery programmes when required