Head of IT

Welcome to Al Rayan Bank, the longest established and most successful Islamic bank in the UK.

Al Rayan Bank is an extraordinary and flourishing institution that celebrates diversity and values ethics. As a prominent member of the Masraf Al Rayan Group, one of the largest bank’s in Qatar, we are fuelled by an unwavering ambition for excellence, promising you an exhilarating journey ahead.

At Al Rayan Bank, we embrace change as an opportunity for positive transformation. Currently, our focus lies on building a culture of inclusivity and diversity, creating an environment where every individual's unique perspectives are valued.

We understand the importance of work-life balance and flexibility, and we are committed to empowering our employees to thrive both personally and professionally.

The Bank is going through the most successful period in its history, and this success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of our incredible team. Join us on this exciting venture, where you'll have the chance to make a significant impact while enjoying a supportive and rewarding work environment.

Come and join us and be part of something extraordinary.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Head of IT at our London / Birmingham Office. The Head of IT will l ead, manage and oversee the IT function through the implementation of the IT strategy to support the corporate objectives of the Bank. To introduce and maintain best practice in the high quality provision of IT infrastructure and systems which support the needs of customers and colleagues. Ensuring all systems are secure, stable and robust. To ensure the controlled delivery of technology components in projects. This includes all IT related project work as well as the maintenance, optimisation and improvement of technology in the Bank with minimal unplanned disruptions ensuring operational resilience is maintained.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement the IT strategy focused on customer self-service, digital and simplification of the technological estate to support the strategic objectives of the Bank.
• Lead, manage, develop and motivate people to ensure they know what is expected of them, maximise their performance and develop their potential.
• Forecast, plan, schedule and monitor resources across all areas of responsibility to manage capacity to fulfil business needs and continuity of service.
• Manage the relationships and performance of IT suppliers and outsourced IT partners including negotiating terms with suppliers of all IT related services within budget and resolution of issues.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholder groups and individuals.
• Direct, manage and oversee the development and optimisation of the Bank’s IT infrastructure, systems and applications.
• Develop and maintain the Major Incident, Disaster recovery and Business Continuity plan for IT and to implement measures designed to safeguard the Bank and its customers in the event of major incidents or disasters.
• Ensure that the Bank is appropriately protected from an IT security perspective both in relation to internal users and external threats. This cyber security management in a proactive manner to manage cyber risks.
• Plan, manage and prioritise the delivery of IT change projects and regular IT changes in collaboration with the Change function in line with Bank’s project methodology.
• Proactively and regularly identify and manage risks and the development and implementation of robust and effective IT controls including IT device management to mitigate information security and operational risks. Regular review and updating of Risk Control Self Assessments.
• Represent IT at appropriate committees and meetings to ensure IT’s point of view is articulated including but not limited to giving progress updates, highlighting risks and solutions, soliciting stakeholder feedback and getting their buy in and escalating appropriate issues.
• Effectively engage and communicate with project sponsors, stakeholders and participants.
• Work with project teams, users and vendors on development and implementation of new/upgraded applications, branch and product rollout.
• Research, evaluate and recommend new technologies that are relevant to the Bank’s technology requirements.
• Ensure IT policies are adhered to and updated appropriately in line with governance requirements. Where necessary new polices are created and implemented to manage risks.
• Deliver one off activities and projects to the outcomes and standards agreed with line manager.
• Work with the counter part in the parent company to share best practice and identify opportunities for efficiencies where there are synergies.
• Hybrid working arrangements a combination of working from the office and from home as per the Bank’s requirements.
• Availability for ad-hoc out-of-hours work and ad-hoc business travel in the UK.
• Role subject to Certification Regime.
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive depth and breadth of experience of managing an IT department in a financial services environment, preferably in banking.
• Extensive technical systems architect background.
• Experience in implementing strategic change and transitioning of an organisation’s technology stack.
• Experience of implementing key systems in the cloud.
• Proven track record or leading, motivating and developing people / teams with good mentoring and coaching skills.
• Project management experience of technical projects.
• Ability to think and act at a strategic level, with an analytical, innovative and enquiring approach.
• Decision maker confident to rely upon their own judgement.
• Customer focused and considers the customer in all new initiatives.
• Excellent oral and written communication, facilitation skills and ability to present confidently and to engage and manage stakeholders, developing effective relationships at all levels.
• Ability to display a range of influencing styles.
• A flexible, positive and team-oriented outlook.
• Assertiveness and the knowledge, strength and ability to discuss, explain and support a decision, or other role specific matters of a technical nature, to a range of audiences of varying seniority.
• Ability to remain focused and composed when under pressure.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve issues and manage work from inception to completion, prioritising work effectively.
• Experience overseeing and managing third party relationships.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong organisational and personal effectiveness skills, including time and project management.
• Broad technical knowledge covering AS400/iSeries, Cloud based systems, Servers, Internet, Security, LAN\WAN management and voice.
• Good report writing skills.
• Analysis and interpretation of Management Information
• Knowledge of appropriate legislation/regulation
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• IT literate with the ability to effectively use all Bank proprietary systems relevant to role.
• Experience of managing successful systems and UAT testing (Desirable).
• Understanding of Al Rayan Bank’s products and services (Desirable).
• Understanding of Islamic Finance (Desirable).

You will be required to demonstrate our 1Team values and associated behaviours which are outlined below:

• Trusted to do the right thing

  To act with total integrity. Put the customer first and stick to our promises.

  • Empowered to own

    To embrace change, take responsibility and ask for help when needed.

To draw on each other’s strengths and believe in ‘no blame’ and ‘no ego’s’. Show resilience.

• Motivated to succeed

To be passionate about our work. Look for opportunities to learn and grow and celebrate each other’s success.

Conduct

We expect staff to follow the standards required by our regulators. At all times:

• Act with integrity
• Act with due skill, care and diligence
• Be open and co-operative with regulators
• Pay due regard to the interests of customers and colleagues and treat them fairly
• Observe proper standards of market conduct

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing bank where we can offer exceptional opportunities for you to make your mark and progress your career in a diverse, ethical bank that you can actually believe in.

Empowering your career, together we’ll deliver banking you can believe in.

Competitive + Discretionary Bonus + Private Healthcare + 30 days holidays + 10% Contributory Pension