Assistant Director - Dynamics Transformation Programme in London

A fixed-term senior role leading the day-to-day, client-side delivery of CISI's multi-phase Dynamics and core-systems transformation programme.

Reports to: Executive Director, Technology & Change (programme SRO)

Contract: Fixed-term, for the duration of the programme

Location: London, with some travel

Key relationships: ED, Technology & Change (SRO); ExCo; business owners across membership, CPD, exams, events, learning and marketing; IT; Finance; TOM / business change; and the implementation partner.

The AD – Dynamics Transformation Programme is a fixed-term senior role, created to lead the day-to-day, client-side delivery of CISI's technology transformation programme. It supports the ED, Technology & Change, who is the programme's Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), and is central to a programme that underpins many of the Target Operating Model (TOM) changes currently in train.

This is a large, multi-phase programme. It spans the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 (including Sales, Customer Service and complaints, and Finance) and the replacement of CISI's core system (Bitmark), encompassing the learning platform and customer portals, membership, CPD, exams and events, together with the supporting integrations, data migration and reporting. It is a demanding, multi-year undertaking with significant interdependencies.

CISI does not currently have in-house Dynamics expertise. This role exists to bring that expertise in, to be the person who knows what 'good' looks like, sets the standard for delivery, and works alongside the implementation partner as an intelligent, demanding client rather than a passive recipient. The role is deliberately pitched to attract a leader with the seniority and credibility to challenge a specialist partner and advise ExCo, rather than just being a programme administrator.

The role combines deep technical and programme-delivery credibility with strong business-change judgement and carries clear authority to lead delivery and supplier assurance day to day. It is distinct from the SRO role held by the ED, Technology & Change and from the business ownership held by individual business owners. The Programme Director drives and assures delivery; accountability for the programme and for business outcomes remains with the SRO and the business.

• Lead the day-to-day, client-side delivery of the programme across all phases and workstreams, with clear authority for delivery and supplier assurance.
• Set the standard for what good delivery looks like, bringing hands-on experience of previous Dynamics and comparable core-system implementations.
• Direct and assure the implementation partner once procured, holding them to account for delivery, quality, pace and value while maintaining a constructive working relationship.
• Design and run the internal programme structure including the workstream model, change control, risk and issue management, and the decision making and governance forums.
• Assure the data model, migration and integration approach, ensuring data quality, sound integration design and reliable migration across Dynamics, the core-system (Bitmark) replacement and connected platforms.
• Lead the mapping and redesign of customer-journey workflows, so the new platforms support simpler, better end-to-end processes rather than replicating current ones.
• Drive benefits realisation and adoption, defining and tracking the benefits, adoption and usage metrics that show the programme is delivering the intended value.
• Work through and with business owners, IT, Finance, TOM / business change and partner resources to deliver a shared outcome.
• Champion the use of AI and automation, ensuring the programme designs in AI-enabled processes and self-service where they improve efficiency, service and insight.
• Lead knowledge transfer and capability building, so that Dynamics and platform understanding is embedded internally.
• Work with the ED, Technology & Change and IT leadership to shape the future technology operating model.

This is a fixed-term, delivery-focused role for the life of the programme. It leads delivery and supplier assurance with clear day-to-day authority, but it is not the Senior Responsible Owner role, that accountability sits with the ED, Technology & Change and it does not replace the ownership held by business owners for their areas.

We are looking for an experienced technology transformation and programme-delivery leader with genuine, hands-on Dynamics implementation experience and the seniority to challenge an implementation partner and advise ExCo credibly.

• A demonstrable track record of delivering Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementations at scale, in a senior client-side or programme-lead capacity.
• Experience of large, multi-phase transformation programmes, ideally including core system replacement and the integration of multiple platforms.
• Strong programme and project management experience, with recognised methodology (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, Agile) or equivalent demonstrable delivery experience.
• Experience of directing and assuring implementation partners or systems integrators.
• Sound understanding of data model, migration and integration assurance.
• A good technical understanding of customer journey workflow mapping and process design.
• Experience of benefits realisation and adoption, defining, measuring and driving the value a programme is meant to deliver.
• Awareness of how AI and automation can be designed into modern platforms.
• Experience of technology operating model change.
• The credibility and communication skills to advise senior leaders on technology matters.

• Technological know-how: Brings deep, current Dynamics, core-systems and platform expertise.
• Project & change management: Designs and runs programme structure, governance and change control.
• Problem solving & critical thinking: Anticipates the pitfalls of a complex, multi-workstream implementation.
• Communication & influence: Advises the COO and ExCo credibly.
• Collaboration & teamwork: Works with and through business owners, IT, Finance, business change and partner resources.
• Resilience & personal responsibility: Holds delivery steady through the pressures of a major, multi-year programme.
• Planning & organisation: Structures a complex, multi-phase programme and sequences delivery.

This is a fixed-term role for the duration of the programme. The job description reflects the role as currently envisaged and may evolve as the programme and Target Operating Model develop.

We offer a competitive remuneration package, which includes:

• 7½% company pension contribution into a personal pension, in addition to your own contribution of 1½% via salary exchange.
• A Wellness Allowance of up to £30 a month.
• 26 days annual leave and additionally the Institute closes for three days between Christmas and New Year.
• A travel allowance which has a value of £2,500 per annum.
• Hybrid working arrangements (minimum of three days in the office).

At CISI we encourage applications from a neurodiverse workforce so please do reach out to discuss reasonable adjustments if required.