At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-performing tech teams and drive continuous improvement in IT services.
- Company: Join 2Plan Wealth Management, a top UK wealth management firm with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Up to £105,000 salary, bonus scheme, flexible benefits, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a focus on personal and professional development in an inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while making a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in IT, strong leadership, and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 105000 - 105000 £ per year.
This role sits at the heart of our Technology function, leading the delivery of high-quality IT services across areas such as DevOps, IT Support, and IT Training & Quality. You’ll drive continuous improvement and change, ensuring services are efficient, scalable and aligned to business needs, while partnering with senior stakeholders to shape and deliver a customer-focused technology offering. Alongside this, you’ll play a key role in leading the people agenda, supporting workforce planning, talent development and engagement, as well as ensuring robust governance, reporting and operational delivery across the function, stepping in for the Director of Operations & IT where required. Working closely with Openwork and key business leaders, the Head of Technology will also leverage shared capabilities and platforms to deliver rapid innovation safely and effectively. This is a hybrid role, 3 days a week from the Leeds office.
The benefits:
- Salary - Up to £105,000
- Car Allowance: £5486
- Bonus scheme - on target bonus - 17.5%
- Pension scheme - contribute up to 5% of your salary and Openwork will match you and put in an extra 5%
- Critical illness cover
- Income protection - 1x salary
- Death in service - 4x salary
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 10 days
- A range of other flexible benefits to include private medical insurance, dental insurance and much more.
Key Accountabilities:
- Lead and develop high-performing Technology teams, driving strong engagement, performance and outcomes
- Ensure services meet regulatory requirements and internal standards, with robust policies, processes and controls in place
- Drive continuous improvement, optimising processes, service delivery and resource utilisation across the function
- Own service performance, including KPIs, MI, reporting and insights aligned to business strategy
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders to improve quality, customer outcomes and overall operational effectiveness
- Manage budgets, third-party relationships and workforce planning, while acting as a key representative for Technology and deputising for the Director of Operations & IT when required
What will you need to succeed?
- Significant senior-level experience delivering within IT/technology environments, including SLA-driven services and complex stakeholder engagement
- Proven track record in leading continuous improvement and change initiatives to drive value and results
- Strong experience in workforce planning, resource management, talent development and team engagement
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and collaboration at all levels
- Customer-focused mindset, with a clear focus on service delivery standards, outcomes and overcoming challenges
- Strong leadership capabilities, including coaching high-performing teams, managing budgets and operating effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments
Why us?
2Plan Wealth Management was launched in July 2007 and we have continuously built on our strengths to become one of the leading wealth management firms in the UK. Our head office administration, technology and regulatory teams provide exceptional support to all our financial advisers around the country, enabling them to deliver the best possible service to clients. The client experience is paramount and all our advisers pride themselves on providing up-to-date advice and building long lasting, professional client relationships. We want all our clients to view 2plan wealth management as their trusted go-to adviser for their financial matters. At The Openwork Partnership, we're a dynamic, fast paced, and growing business with huge ambition. This is all made possible by the brilliant people who are part of The Openwork Partnership family. We're investing heavily in our colleagues, continuously striving to give them the platform to develop personally and professionally and reach their full potential. We’re also very proud of our culture, as one of the Best 100 Large Companies to work for in 2022. The Openwork Partnership values, and respects individuality and we are committed to building an inclusive culture and environment which truly recognises and celebrates our colleague’s individual differences and identities – just like our financial advice, for us, it’s personal. We believe everyone can make a difference and your race, religion, disability, and gender will never be a barrier. At Openwork, we have a strong ethic of care for each other where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will bring your best self to work if you are trusted to choose when, where and how you do it.
Head of Technology in Leeds employer: Openwork
At 2Plan Wealth Management, we pride ourselves on being a leading wealth management firm that values innovation and employee development. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while our commitment to a supportive and inclusive culture ensures that every team member can thrive both personally and professionally. With competitive benefits, a focus on continuous improvement, and recognition as one of the Best 100 Large Companies to work for in 2022, we offer an exceptional environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the technology sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technology in Leeds
✨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 Openwork 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 Openwork 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 Openwork!
✨Direct Apply to Openwork
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Openwork 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 Technology in Leeds
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 Openwork.
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 Openwork. 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 Openwork
✨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.
