Application Portfolio Manager, Banking
Posted 1 day ago by ARC IT Recruitment
Negotiable
Inside
Undetermined
London, UK
Summary: The Application Portfolio Manager will oversee the business application estate for a prominent investment bank, leading technology delivery within a high-profile division. This role requires hands-on management of various applications, including CRM platforms and SaaS solutions, while ensuring compliance and effective vendor management. The successful candidate will act as a senior IT partner, leveraging deep application knowledge and stakeholder credibility. This position is offered as a 6-month contract or fixed-term contract, classified as inside IR35.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the end-to-end life cycle of major business applications - CRM systems, SaaS platforms and on-premise solutions - from implementation through to decommission
- Manage vendor contracts, SLAs and service schedules across the application portfolio
- Ensure all applications are compliant, patched, documented and maintained in the CMDB
- Oversee application support structures including Level 1, 2 and 3 processes
- Lead application enhancements, integrations and upgrades through to production
- Manage a rolling portfolio of technology change projects, acting as IT Project Manager and Business Analyst
- Translate business requirements into technical solutions aligned to IT architecture and security policy
- Oversee SaaS and cloud-hosted application implementations across private and public environments
- Act as the primary IT interface for the division - trusted partner, escalation point and advisor
- Chair monthly portfolio review meetings covering progress, risks and incidents
- Manage shadow IT risk and advise senior management on IT service delivery policy
- Line manage and develop a team of IT Business Analysts
- Own IT budget planning and charge-back processes for the division
- Manage resource allocation across projects within agreed budgets
Key Skills:
- Proven Application Portfolio Manager or senior Application Manager in a financial services environment
- Strong, demonstrable experience with CRM platforms and complex application landscapes (investment banking or M&A advisory environment highly advantageous)
- Experience managing the full application life cycle - vendor governance, SLAs, upgrades, patching and decommission
- Solid project management and business analysis background; Prince2, PMP or APM preferred
- Confident managing demanding senior stakeholders and operating as a trusted IT partner to the business
- Proven vendor management and contract governance experience
- Familiarity with CMDB management and IT governance frameworks
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: London
Country: UK
Working Arrangements: undetermined
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: Other
Application Portfolio Manager
London, City | 6-month contract (inside IR35) or FTC
A globally recognised investment bank is looking for an experienced Application Portfolio Manager to own their business application estate and lead technology delivery across a high-profile division.
This is a hands-on application ownership role with real breadth - CRM platforms, SaaS and on-premise applications, vendor management, and a rolling portfolio of change projects. You'll be the senior IT partner to the business, combining deep application knowledge with stakeholder credibility at the most senior levels.
The Role
Application Ownership & Lifecycle Management
- Own the end-to-end life cycle of major business applications - CRM systems, SaaS platforms and on-premise solutions - from implementation through to decommission
- Manage vendor contracts, SLAs and service schedules across the application portfolio
- Ensure all applications are compliant, patched, documented and maintained in the CMDB
- Oversee application support structures including Level 1, 2 and 3 processes
- Lead application enhancements, integrations and upgrades through to production
Portfolio & Project Delivery
- Manage a rolling portfolio of technology change projects, acting as IT Project Manager and Business Analyst
- Translate business requirements into technical solutions aligned to IT architecture and security policy
- Oversee SaaS and cloud-hosted application implementations across private and public environments
Stakeholder & Relationship Management
- Act as the primary IT interface for the division - trusted partner, escalation point and advisor
- Chair monthly portfolio review meetings covering progress, risks and incidents
- Manage shadow IT risk and advise senior management on IT service delivery policy
People & Governance
- Line manage and develop a team of IT Business Analysts
- Own IT budget planning and charge-back processes for the division
- Manage resource allocation across projects within agreed budgets
What We're Looking For
- Proven Application Portfolio Manager or senior Application Manager in a financial services environment
- Strong, demonstrable experience with CRM platforms and complex application landscapes (investment banking or M&A advisory environment highly advantageous)
- Experience managing the full application life cycle - vendor governance, SLAs, upgrades, patching and decommission
- Solid project management and business analysis background; Prince2, PMP or APM preferred
- Confident managing demanding senior stakeholders and operating as a trusted IT partner to the business
- Proven vendor management and contract governance experience
- Familiarity with CMDB management and IT governance frameworks
Engagement: Inside IR35 day rate contract or Fixed Term Contract whichever suits you.
Apply now or send your CV directly. Interviews are moving quickly.