At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate application management strategies for a major animal welfare charity.
- Company: Join one of the UK's largest international animal welfare charities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, wellbeing support, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in animal welfare while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in application management and strong leadership abilities required.
These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an outstanding opportunity for a self-motivated and highly professional individual with exceptional analytical, collaborative and interpersonal skills to join the Leadership Team, as Head of Application Management.
Location: Devon/Hybrid (This is a hybrid working position, combining home and occasional onsite working under the guiding principles for such roles. The working pattern and requirement for site attendance (for essential meetings) will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday
Salary: £63,813 annum
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 2 August 2026. Please note this role may close earlier than advertised so apply as soon as possible.
About the Role
As Head of Application Management, you will be responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and effective delivery of all business applications used across the Sanctuary, ensuring these are reliable, secure and support operational and strategic goals. Within this multifunctional and rewarding role, you will lead, support and develop the application management team so they can deliver a high-quality and customer-focused service, fostering a collaborative working culture, encouraging innovation and shared problem-solving.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
- Leading the development and delivery of an application management strategy, ensuring it supports the current and future needs of the organisation.
- Establishing clear processes for the full lifecycle of applications, including acquisition, development, maintenance, and retirement.
- Overseeing the performance, availability, and reliability of all business-critical applications, ensuring services run smoothly and efficiently and support business continuity and the delivery of organisational objectives.
- Ensuring effective incident, problem, and change management processes so that application issues are resolved promptly and downtime is minimised.
- Building strong working relationships across the Sanctuary, acting as the main point of contact for application related advice, priorities and improvement.
- Ensuring applications comply with regulatory requirements, data protection obligations, and security standards.
- Identifying and managing risks related to application services, implementing appropriate controls and mitigation strategies.
About You
We are looking for someone who has:
- Proven experience of leading application management or enterprise systems teams.
- A strong understanding of ITIL, DevOps, and Agile methodologies.
- Familiarity with SFIA framework and digital transformation principles.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Practical experience of managing complex application landscapes and vendor ecosystems.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pension.
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.
The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
You may also have experience in areas such as Application Management, Systems Management, Director of Application Management, Application Management Director.
Head of Application Management employer: Donkey Sanctuary
As a leading international animal welfare charity, we offer a dynamic and supportive work environment in Devon, where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of donkeys and mules worldwide. Our hybrid working model promotes flexibility, while our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our generous benefits package, including 31 days of holiday, a competitive pension, and access to wellness programmes. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values innovation and personal growth, ensuring you thrive both professionally and personally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Application Management
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Donkey Sanctuary values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Donkey Sanctuary might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Donkey Sanctuary!
✨Direct Apply to Donkey Sanctuary
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Donkey Sanctuary website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Application Management
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Donkey Sanctuary.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Donkey Sanctuary. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Donkey Sanctuary
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
