Application Portfolio Manager, Banking

The Role:

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.

Key Responsibilities:

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

Key Requirements:

• 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