Head of Enterprise Applications

UKNNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) which aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures.

We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued.

We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

The salary range for this position is £84,549 to £91,977 (Grade 3A Lower).

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector.

New opportunities are being created all the time.

At UKNNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible.

So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it.

Because at UKNNL, anything is possible.

The Head of Enterprise Applications & Data is accountable for the strategic direction, operational performance, and value optimisation of all enterprise applications and data platforms across the organisation.

Operating within a heavily regulated environment, the role ensures that the application and data landscape is secure, compliant, resilient, and aligned to business priorities.

A key focus is maximising the value of existing applications, reducing complexity and duplication, and ensuring that the sourcing and onboarding of new applications demonstrably adds business value and complies with regulatory, security, and architectural standards.

The role works closely with business leaders, risk and compliance functions, and external suppliers to enable digital capability while maintaining strong governance and control.

• Main Responsibilities for Head of Enterprise Applications
• Own the end-to-end lifecycle of enterprise applications, including core business systems, line-of-business applications, and supporting platforms.
• Lead application rationalisation to reduce duplication, technical debt, and cost while improving usability and value.
• Establish clear principles for application selection, configuration, customisation and retirement.
• Maximise return on investment from existing applications through improved adoption, configuration optimisation, and process alignment.
• Define and track benefits realisation for application investments, working with business owners to ensure value is delivered and sustained.
• Challenge demand for new applications where existing capabilities can meet business needs.
• Sourcing & Onboarding of New Applications
• Lead the evaluation, sourcing, and onboarding of new applications, ensuring a robust business case and clear value proposition.
• Ensure all new applications meet architectural standards, data requirements, security controls, and regulatory expectations.
• Oversee due diligence of suppliers, including financial stability, data protection, resilience, and exit arrangements.
• Data Ownership & Governance
• Provide senior accountability for enterprise data platforms and data management practices.
• Work with data owners, governance bodies, and compliance teams to ensure data quality, integrity, availability, and appropriate use.
• Support the effective use of data and analytics to drive insight and decision‑making, within regulatory constraints.
• Risk, Security & Compliance
• Ensure applications and data platforms comply with regulatory, legal, and internal policy requirements.
• Partner with risk, security, and assurance functions to manage operational, cyber, and third‑party risks.
• Lead remediation of application and data risks, including audit findings and regulatory actions.
• Build strong relationships with senior business stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on application and data capabilities.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, contracts, and performance, ensuring value for money and service quality.
• Represent the application and data domain in governance forums, investment boards, and regulatory interactions as required.

Essential Criteria for Head of Enterprise Applications

• Senior leadership experience managing enterprise applications and/or data in a complex, regulated organisation.
• Must have direct leadership experience of developing a business case and then subsequently implementing a new ERP (or re‑implementing the old with new processes and controls) in a large organisation.
• Proven experience of application portfolio management, including rationalisation and value optimisation.
• Strong understanding of application sourcing models (Saa S, COTS, bespoke, cloud) and associated risks.
• Experience operating within regulatory, risk, and compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrable ability to translate business strategy into technology outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing at executive level.
• Focus on business operations and value drivers as opposed to purely technology focus (people, processes and systems).
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Head of Enterprise Applications

• Experience in sectors such as financial services, utilities, healthcare, public sector, or other regulated industries.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture principles and data governance frameworks.
• Experience leading geographically distributed teams.
• Exposure to digital transformation or modernisation programmes.
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