IT Infrastructure Technical SME | S3 | CIO | Milton Keynes

IT Infrastructure Technical SME | S3 | CIO | Milton KeynesCountry: United Kingdom**IT STARTS HERE**Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management. **THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE**Santander UK, CIO is looking for an IT Infrastructure Technical SME based out of Milton Keynes to play a pivotal role in shaping and supporting the organisation’s IT Infrastructure strategy.As the SME, you’ll serve as a technical authority on Infrastructure-related matters, providing expertise across storage and backups, servers, networks, cloud solutions, API and middleware.The Technical SME will work hand in hand with the Service Manager in the management of all phases of the product life cycle (non-technical and technical) from discovery to contract termination and exit.We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:* Act as an Infrastructure Technical SME providing technical oversight, assurance and governance for infrastructure services delivered by intra-group functions and third-party service providers* Recognised Subject Matter Expert in Backup and Storage services, with the ability to: + Ensure compliance to enterprise backup and recovery standards, including retention, immutability, data protection controls and recoverability outcomes + Govern enterprise storage services (SAN/NAS/Object), including performance, lifecycle management and delivery review including capacity, performance, security compliance, lifecycle management and delivery review aligned to global standards* Strong understanding of service-based infrastructure operating models, including the ability to challenge vendor designs, and operational practices* Demonstrable experience in technical design reviews, service assurance and risk assessments for infrastructure services* Proven ability to assess and challenge 3rd party or intra-group changes, ensuring impacts to service availability are fully understood and challenged prior to approval* Strong incident oversight capability, including technical validation during major incidents, root cause validation, and assurance that vendors implement effective and sustainable corrective actions* Experience managing technical relationships with intra-group providers and external vendors, including participation in service reviews and performance forums, with the ability to translate technical risk into clear business impact* Providing regular progress updates to the UK Service Manager, Leadership team and other stakeholders, owning escalations, highlighting risks or delays to projects or planned works.* Extract Actionable Insights for technical services provided to Santander UK by internal and external providers**WHAT YOU’LL BRING**Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. **Professional Experience*** Proven experience in a similar role as an IT Infrastructure SME or Senior Infrastructure Engineer (Required)* Strong knowledge and understanding of IT Infrastructure, with a focus on Storage and Backups (Required)* Proven problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve com-plex technical issues quickly and effectively (Required)* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly articulate technical information to diverse audiences. (Preferred)* Experience in change management, including developing and implementing change management strategies and managing resistance to change. (Preferred)* Experience in managing relationships with vendors and evaluating vendor performance. (Preferred)* Experience within licensing, contract renewals, QBRs & Service reviews (Preferred)* Knowledge and understanding of Networking, Middleware, Cloud Infrastructure, and Virtualisation (Preferred)* Soft Skills* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly articulate technical information to senior team members and wider stakeholders at a business level (Essential)* Constructively challenge technical findings and service outputs to drive continuous improvement (Essential)* Demonstrates the confidence and analytical ability to question assumptions and improve technical deliverables (Preferred)**WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT**At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.* 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year* £6,000 car allowance per year* Company funded individual private medical insurance* Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.* Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans.* As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services* Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.* Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.* Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.* Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.* Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.**LOCAL COMPLIANCE**At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow. To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).When applying, please consider the travel #J-18808-Ljbffr