Take ownership of the software applications that underpin a large, complex organisation and help shape how technology supports the business.

Join a Digital & Technology function going through significant transformation, with a five-year strategy focused on getting more from its technology platforms.

Combine application management, supplier relationships and technical delivery to improve systems used across a major UK operation.

Software Application Manager

Woolwich, London | Onsite – 5 days per week | Up to £60,000 + Benefits

The Opportunity

We’re partnering with a large UK organisation looking for an experienced Software Application Manager to join its Digital & Technology function.

The organisation operates across hundreds of sites and is investing in a long-term technology strategy designed to improve its digital platforms, streamline processes and deliver better experiences for both internal users and customers.

This is a broad application-management position where you’ll take ownership of a portfolio of important business systems, working across software suppliers, internal stakeholders, technology teams and ongoing transformation initiatives.

It’s ideally suited to somebody who enjoys being the link between technology and the business rather than someone looking for a purely hands-on development role.

What you’ll be doing

• Take ownership of a portfolio of business-critical software applications.
• Manage applications throughout their lifecycle, from implementation through maintenance, upgrades and ongoing improvement.
• Build strong relationships with third-party software suppliers and vendors.
• Hold suppliers accountable for service quality, performance and support.
• Work with internal stakeholders to understand requirements, challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Support the delivery of application roadmaps and wider digital initiatives.
• Identify duplicated or underused systems and opportunities to simplify the application estate.
• Coordinate application upgrades, enhancements and releases.
• Help ensure systems remain reliable, secure and fit for purpose.
• Manage incidents and application-related issues through to resolution.
• Support projects involving new systems, integrations and technology change.
• Translate business requirements into clear actions for technical teams and external suppliers.
• Maintain strong governance and visibility across the organisation’s application and supplier landscape.

The underlying role is focused heavily on software lifecycle ownership, supplier relationships, operational efficiency and delivering application roadmap initiatives.

What we’re looking for

You’ll ideally have experience as a Software Application Manager, Applications Manager, Business Systems Manager, Application Support Manager or in a similar technology-focused position.

We’re particularly interested in people with:

• Strong experience managing business software applications.
• Experience owning relationships with external software vendors and suppliers.
• Good understanding of the software/application lifecycle.
• Experience managing application upgrades, enhancements and implementations.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience coordinating technology projects and application roadmaps.
• The ability to translate between technical teams and non-technical business stakeholders.
• Experience identifying opportunities to improve systems and business processes.
• Strong problem-solving and organisational skills.
• The confidence to take genuine ownership rather than simply escalating issues elsewhere.

You don’t need to be a software developer. What’s more important is having enough technical understanding to challenge suppliers, understand systems and confidently own the applications you’re responsible for.

Why join?

This is an opportunity to join an organisation with a genuine social purpose, where technology ultimately supports services used by communities across the UK.

The organisation is staff-owned and reinvests back into its facilities, people and services rather than operating purely for profit. It also has an established Digital & Technology transformation agenda, making this a particularly interesting time to join.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence how important applications are managed and improved rather than simply keeping existing systems running.

Package

Salary: Up to £60,000 depending on experience

Location: Woolwich, London

Working pattern: Onsite – 5 days per week

Position: Permanent, Software Application Manager

Benefits: Pension, learning & development, leisure benefits and additional company benefits.

This is best suited to someone who enjoys owning technology, managing suppliers and working directly with the business to make systems work better — with enough technical knowledge to understand the detail and enough commercial awareness to see the bigger picture.