Business Solutions Lead

Location: London, Central, GB; Newport, Central, GB; Hull, Central, GB; Immingham, Central, GB; Southampton, Central, GB; Garston, Central, GB; Cardiff, Central, GB; Ipswich, Central, GB.

Company: ABP is the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future, offering a vast range of roles rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

We are currently looking to recruit an experienced Business Solutions Lead to manage the business relationships between our functional business units and the IT team. The role combines solution architecture, team leadership, stakeholder management, and delivery oversight within enterprise IT or digital transformation contexts. Managing a team of 7 direct reports, you will be responsible for working collaboratively across the business to ensure the right solutions are selected, designed, and delivered. You will need to have exceptionally strong stakeholder management skills, able to prioritise workloads and allocations to ensure the business keeps to its technology roadmap. Experience of SAP is essential for this role.

Why should you make ABP your First Port Of Call?

• Have the chance to make a difference in a business critical to UK trade.
• Work within an exciting, innovative, growing business.
• Thrive in an inclusive environment where every individual can be themselves and feel respected.
• Receive competitive salary and benefits package.
• Get support for training, personal development, and further education.
• Benefit from support and engagement through dedicated management and leadership.

Accountabilities:

• Work closely with business stakeholders on strategic planning, defining a roadmap of continuous improvement to ensure optimal value for technology investment.
• Produce comprehensive business requirements, functional and non-functional requirements, user and system requirements.
• Lead one or more teams of colleagues and/or external third parties/contractors, ensuring teams are equipped to deliver strategic and operational goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively liaise with stakeholders, team members, and clients.
• Ability to identify, engage, and build strong relationships with stakeholders to align expectations, address needs, and achieve mutual goals.
• Perform software selection supported by Enterprise and Technical Architecture reviews.
• Liaise with project managers in developing delivery plans and tracking portfolio status.

Skills & Experience:

• Strong knowledge of Finance, HR, Supply Chain & Logistics solutions, ideally within a Port or transportation infrastructure business.
• Previous managerial experience, possessing strong leadership skills and having a background in coaching and developing talent.
• Experience of developing process automation through the use of technology.
• Ability to lead large-scale complex IT programs/projects in addressing overall business needs.
• Excellent written, oral, instructional, presentation, and interpersonal skills focused on motivation and positive attitude.
• Highly self-motivated, directed, and change oriented.
• Knowledge of new technologies (in specific field) and maintain and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Experience in planning and managing IT programs including budgeting, resource management, and delivery development.
• Experience with managing system integrators to deliver business outcomes.

The role can be based from any of our major port locations and does involve a regular level of travel across all 21 ports in the business. We offer a competitive salary, contributory pension from day one (starting at 3% employee contribution with 5% company match), private healthcare, access to our Employee Assistance Program, 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays – plus the option to purchase additional days), and a wide range of discounts and cashback with high street and online retailers. We foster an inclusive work environment and offer ongoing development through our in-house training academy.

Closing date for applications is 22nd February, followed by a 2-stage interview process.

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance, and a range of other benefits. Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also. We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.