Head of Technology Optimisation - 12 month Fixed Term Contract Mat Cover

Job Description

The role As the Head of Technology Optimisation, candidates would be responsible for transforming and setting new standards of excellence in our technology portfolio reporting, tools, process, governance, risk reporting and communications. They will be accountable forleading the planning processes of initiatives behind OKR definition and technology performance reviews in close collaboration with product and technology leaders. Who are we Our mission is to build the place where small businesses get the funding they need to win. We do this by uniting cutting-edge data and technology to deliver an unbeatable customer experience. With a decade of expertise under our belt, weve built a game-changer of a platform thats reshaping the landscape of SME lending. Say goodbye to lengthy applicationsand hello to lightning-fast decisions! In just minutes, SMEs across the UK can get an instant decision, giving them access to affordable funding in a flash. 99% of businesses are small businesses! And in most cases arent given the finance they need to grow. Were here to change that because the world needs small business. Want to learn more

• We have a huge impact on the businesses that borrow through our platform, the communities they serve and the overall economy (last year £6.9bn of GDP generated). You can read our full Impact Report here: https://uk/impact
• To see what our customers think, visit our Trustpilot page: https://review/fundingcircle.com
• And were still evolving! With over a decade leading the industry with our award winning core loans offering we are now well on our way to solving more SME finance challenges transforming into a multi-product lending platform.

What will you be doing Reporting to the VP Technology Strategy, this person will be a thought leader who has the experience and impact to drive delivery and operational excellence across technology.

• Lead on setting new standards of excellence in our technology portfolio reporting and delivery which underpins our technology strategy
• Partner with the extended leadership team to evolve and drive progress toward the technology strategy underpinned by a clear and cohesive portfolio of initiatives
• Responsible for designing and improving an effective delivery system across the product and technology organisation with clear contributions and accountabilities
• Implement smart and lean governance models that value ownership, predictability, flexibility and transparency, including a product development lifecycle across our business units
• Contributes to the quarterly and annual planning processes behind OKR setting through initiatives planning, capacity planning and active dependency management
• Define, implement and improve ways of working and operating model to align long-term strategy of offering multiple products to our customers underpinned by shared capability models
• Drive a continuous improvement mindset across technology, fostering a healthy, collaborative, continuously improving culture across our teams and with our stakeholders
• Drive a data driven mindset by understanding the clear KPIs for engineering and delivery, extracting key actionable insights and continuously improving the performance of the department and our teams
• Design and promote best practices for delivery across Funding Circle, working closely with other leaders in the organisation to embed these practices at scale
• Be a strategic thought leader, trusted advisor and someone who can make things happen by being proactive and responding quickly.
• Facilitate decision-making and provide recommendations at all levels by extracting and translating findings into alternatives and solutions, identifying risks and impacts.
• Accountable for planning and delivery of cross technology initiatives where required.

What were looking for

• Has demonstrable 8+ years experience in portfolio management and/or managing complex technology programmes across the entire lifecycle
• Is passionate about optimising portfolio standards and embedding change at scale
• Has a proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders, teams and peers and achieving results without direct authority
• Has proven track record of setting standards and working across multiple business units and different methodologies, understanding the subtleties of each approach for our teams, stakeholders and senior management
• Understands in depth engineering metrics and how to set a culture and processes to optimise outcomes, working with others to remove key blockers at a systemic and cultural level
• Has demonstrated the ability to build strong partnerships across organisations in delivering the best outcome for the organisation
• Can demonstrable ability of successful long term planning in an Agile environment
• Has experience with lightweight governance structures allowing for responsible and rapid decision making while providing adequate change control.
• Has demonstrable ability to work with leadership on communicating issues and options to ensure sound decision making
• Has excellent leadership skills and demonstrated ability to work in a matrix environment, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Has the ability to communicate objectives, plans, status and results clearly, focusing on critical key points.
• Is solutions oriented, with a track record of identifying and implementing creative solutions.
• Has experience working in dynamic industries at high standards of excellence and regulations

At Funding Circle, we celebrate and support the differences that make you, you. Were proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer. We truly believe that diversity makes us better . Why join us Our Circler proposition is designed to support employees both in and out of work, and it is anchored around four pillars: Health, Wealth, Development & Lifestyle. We offer hybrid working, with 2-3 days per week based in the office. When youre in the office you can take advantage of our free barista and subsidised lunches through JustEat and we will help support your home working set-up. We support flexible working arrangementsso please speak to our recruitment team if this is something youd like to learn more about. A few highlights:

Health: Private Medical Insurance through Aviva, Dental Insurance through Bupa, MediCash, free access to online therapy sessions via Spill and exclusive discounts with Hertility for reproductive health support. Wealth: Octopus Money Coach, free mortgageadvisor partnership and discounts across numerous retailer