Location: Guernsey, Haywards Heath, Home Office (Remote) or Manchester
Salary: £119,445 - £149,306 - depending on experience
Department: Technology and Data
We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Our rapid growth is based on providing our 1.4 million customers with great value insurance and excellent service. We’re proud to have won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024, and our Glassdoor score reflects our positive workplace culture!
We’re seeking an Interim IT Director to join us during a significant 18-month technical transformation. This transformation includes overhauling development tooling, processes, and upgrading more than 1 million lines of code to become a cloud-first organisation. Additionally, we will implement major changes to infrastructure, change management, and service delivery processes.
During this period, it is vital that business-as-usual technology support continues seamlessly. The Interim IT Director will play a crucial role in supporting the Technology & Data senior leadership team and other senior leaders across the business to ensure the transformation does not impact business performance or strategic goals.
While there are no direct line management responsibilities, you will need to build strong relationships across the organisation, acting as a focal point for all IT-related issues or improvements with other senior leaders. This is an 18-month fixed-term role.
We value flexible working arrangements, allowing you to work remotely or from our offices in Salford Quays, Manchester, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, or Guernsey. You may also choose to work in the office occasionally.
Core skills required:
* Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, prioritising multiple initiatives
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate arguments and persuade senior stakeholders
* Strong time management and organisational skills
* Strategic leadership focused on delivering business outcomes and benefits
* Senior stakeholder management, including engaging with ExCo and Board levels
* Leadership qualities to anticipate risks and work collaboratively to find solutions
* Ability to guide and coach team members for effective delivery and professional growth
* Financial acumen to estimate, budget, and build robust business cases
* Collaborative working style for optimal results
Responsibilities include:
* Ensuring technology services remain robust and reliable during transformation
* Providing excellent user and customer experiences
* Reporting on Technology SLA performance to senior management
* Offering strategic advice on policies and strategies
* Maintaining knowledge of industry best practices and applying learnings to transformational activities
* Providing technical support to business units as needed
* Removing blockers and supporting the Technology & Data leadership team
* Facilitating cross-functional collaboration
* Managing key supplier relationships to ensure service continuity
* Upholding IT governance and compliance standards
* Providing operational support during high-priority issues
Experience & knowledge:
* Proven leadership across broad technology functions including networking, databases, infrastructure, and service management
* Exceptional leadership skills managing diverse teams
* Deep understanding of IT systems and change management, including project delivery and software development lifecycle
* Ability to develop achievable business cases in partnership with finance and business leaders
* Experience managing large IT budgets
* Experience engaging with third-party providers
* Experience working within FCA-regulated environments, ideally in Financial Services or Insurance
* Knowledge of FCA requirements, including Consumer Duty
* Keeping updated with industry trends and integrating best practices into change initiatives
Skills:
* Ability to multitask in a dynamic environment
* Excellent communication skills for engaging senior stakeholders
* Strong organisational skills
* Strategic and benefits-focused leadership
* Effective stakeholder management and negotiation skills
* Risk mitigation and problem-solving abilities
* Leadership and coaching capabilities
* Financial management and business case development skills
* Collaborative working style
Qualifications and Behaviours:
* Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive
* Organised with a flexible, positive attitude
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Drive for business improvement
What we offer:
* People-first culture with energetic, supportive workplaces
* Perks detailed on our website
* Opportunities for flexible working and volunteering
* Electric Car Scheme
* Flexible bank holidays observing various festivals
* Paid leave for personal life events
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