Application Manager in Manchester

This is a newly created, strategically important role responsible for managing the full lifecycle of AI tools and business applications across the organisation. As AI adoption accelerates and programme-led application stacks continue to grow, this role provides the structure, governance, and expertise needed to evaluate, implement, configure, and sustain new tooling responsibly - balancing innovation with due diligence.

The AI & Applications Manager will act as the central point of coordination between the business, IT, Legal, Infosec, the DPO, and programme stakeholders including the AI adoption team - ensuring that every tool in the organisation’s portfolio has been properly assessed, approved, adopted in a controlled and compliant manner, and continues to deliver value in service.

• Monitor and assess feature releases across AI platforms (ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini), with a focus on security, data handling, and data leakage risks.
• Maintain a live register of all AI tools in use across the organisation, conducting ongoing reviews for compliance and fitness for purpose.
• Lead proof-of-concept and pilot programmes, defining success criteria and managing the transition of approved tools from evaluation to production.
• Own the evergreening programme for Buy applications, tracking vendor release cycles and coordinating testing, approval, and deployment of updates.
• Act as the internal subject matter expert and first point of contact for all AI tool queries.
• Translate business requirements into structured evaluation and procurement briefs, managing a formal intake process for all requests.
• Lead cross-functional due diligence working with DPO, Infosec, Legal, and IT to ensure tools meet data, security, and contractual standards.
• Monitor regulatory developments including the EU AI Act, UK AI Framework, and GDPR, assessing impact on tooling decisions.
• Define and enforce acceptable use policies for AI tools across the organisation.
• Contribute to the organisation's AI and technology roadmap, reporting to senior leadership on adoption progress, risks, and opportunities.
• Benchmark the organisation's AI maturity against industry peers and best practice.
• Manage the decommissioning of tools that are superseded, fail compliance, or no longer deliver value.

• Proven experience managing SaaS applications or a business application portfolio through their full lifecycle.
• Hands-on experience evaluating and implementing AI or automation tools in a business environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional due diligence processes involving Legal, Infosec, and Procurement.
• Strong stakeholder management - comfortable engaging at all levels from operational teams to senior leadership.
• Working knowledge of mainstream AI platforms including Claude, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot, with an understanding of their capabilities, data handling practices, and enterprise licensing models.
• Familiarity with AI-powered legal tooling such as Harvey or Luminance, and how these are applied in contract review, due diligence, and legal research workflows.
• Familiarity with data privacy principles and GDPR compliance in a UK/EU context, with exposure to information security frameworks such as ISO 27001 or SOC 2.
• Knowledge of EU AI Act obligations or UK AI governance guidance.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills - able to assess vendor claims and cut through noise.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Commercially aware - able to assess ROI, total cost of ownership, and contractual risk.
• Naturally curious about technology and proactive in keeping up with the AI landscape, with the confidence to influence decision-making without direct authority.