Head of Technology & Data – Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology

Recruit 121 Limited

Recruit 121 (Finance, Technology, and Executive) is excited to be partnering with the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) in recruiting the unique opportunity of a Head of Technology & Data.

The successful individual will become a key member of the CFIT management team and help drive financial innovation in the UK. This is a truly unique, hands-on, roll your sleeves up role.

CFIT is an early stage fast moving start-up tasked with solving some of the biggest problems facing UK finance, innovation and technology. Their mantra is actions not words and as the Head of Technology and Data, you will focus on important issues, ensuring they are setup for success across our enterprise architecture framework, namely business, data, application and technology environments.

Reporting into the COO, you will be responsible for the strategy, execution and management of CFIT’s technology infrastructure capabilities to ensure CFIT delivers on its mandate and important business objectives. Working closely with the CFIT leadership, you will understand, define and deliver it’s data requirements to create capabilities and generate insights utilising approved solutions.

You will build the information technology highway in CFIT across our main verticals in operations, finance, data, ecosystem, marketing, coalitions, research, talent and placements. By doing so, you will take ownership of the technology roadmap and invest time to fully understand CFIT’s technical requirements and direction before prototyping solutions and building automation tooling.

Technology is CFIT’s enabler for change, coding will be in your toolkit (eg Python and JavaScript) to craft solutions enabling the delivery of objectives providing commercial value. Optimising the sequence of releases to achieve cycle times whilst managing risk and cost profiles on the platforms we need to use.

This is your opportunity to influence the next wave of fintech products using innovative technology across the UK ecosystem. Supporting the creation of new technology-enabled solutions tested in sandboxes using new data sets via APIs that will unlock barriers and drive growth for both SMEs and Customers that can be scaled globally. You will have the power to deliver real change and impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide direct support to the leadership team across all technology and data matters
• Be a trusted technology partner across the coalitions, ecosystem and talent initiatives
• Establish the technology and data function as an enabler of change across CFIT, ensuring the availability, reliability and continuity across our enterprise architecture framework
• Develop and implement appropriate data, technology and infrastructure solutions
• Monitor performance of technology services and support process improvements, whilst ensuring strong controls and robust infrastructure are in place across business functions
• Support the COO in commercial decision-making by providing technology and data subject matter expertise to establish the appropriate infrastructure to deliver strategic ambitions
• Liaise with external vendors and 3rd parties to implement hardware and software tools
• Ensure GDPR compliance with data protection and data privacy policies by setting standards as part of the policy. Build a delivery roadmap for cyber essentials certification governance
• Ensure business continuity through the development, maintenance and testing of disaster recovery plans for all critical technology and digital services. Manage system performance
• Delivering technology and data solutions to CFIT teams and approved external partners by understanding clear requirements and effectively translating them for technical requirements
• Ownership of all data analytics, system performance, website development and CRM integrity

Key Capabilities:

The successful candidate will take ownership of the technology and data strategy, working closely with the COO and be our lead technology adviser. We’re looking for a skilled technologist who is passionate about finding solutions through the practical use of technology and application of high-quality data.

• Technology: Expertise in delivering enterprise architecture frameworks for innovative startups. Evaluate solutions that align with business objectives, considering competing factors
• Data: Knowledgeable of cloud-based infrastructure and utilising DevOps and APIs to automate design, build, test, and deploy data warehousing to build strong analytics for client insights
• Leadership: 5+ years as a technology leader, managing and building platform and data teams
• Project Management: Proven experience in managing complex cross-functional projects with agile methodologies and a track record of on-time, on-budget and high-quality IT delivery
• Knowledge: Degree or strong experience in software design, engineering, or a related field
• Strategy: Ability to develop and execute a technology roadmap that aligns with company goals
• Problem Solving: Proven ability to prioritise and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Communication: Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

CFIT is a safe, inclusive workplace with a strong focus on creating a supportive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to their roles.

You are strongly encouraged to apply if you are from an underrepresented background, as CFIT believes that only through diversity of thought, background and experience can it truly be an innovative organisation. You may see a lengthy list of requirements and decide that this role is not for you, apply anyway. You may have skills and experiences that have not been considered when putting this spec together. Finally, CFIT is a virtual organisation with a strong regional focus across the UK. It is important that the team has representation from across the country. Package includes 10% bonus based on personal performance