At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead application management strategy and ensure smooth operation of critical applications.
- Company: The Donkey Sanctuary, a global leader in animal welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, health cover, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for donkeys while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in application management, strong leadership, and strategic thinking skills.
The predicted salary is between 63813 - 63813 £ per year.
- Head of Application Management (2233)
- Salary: £63,813 per annum
- Location: Sidmouth, United Kingdom
- Job type: Permanent, Full Time
- Area: Resources
The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide.
Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day.
We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life‑enhancing relationships.
About You
- Proven experience of leading application management or enterprise systems teams.
- A strong understanding of ITIL, Dev Ops, 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.
About The Role
- 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 Donkey 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.
What We Offer In Return
Based in Sidmouth, East Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full‑time, permanent role starting on 1 October 2026, working 35 hours per week, 08.30‑16.30, Monday‑Friday.
This is a hybrid working position, combining home and occasional onsite working under our 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.
Benefits
- Competitive pension.
- Life assurance (4 x annual salary).
- BUPA private health cover.
- Sickness Income Protection (50% of salary).
- 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 –
- Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
- Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
- Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
- Free parking.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 2 August 2026.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer.
The Donkey Sanctuary is 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.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Application Management in Sidmouth
✨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 The 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 The 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 The Donkey Sanctuary!
✨Direct Apply to The Donkey Sanctuary
Let's not forget to apply directly through the 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 in Sidmouth
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 The 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 The 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 The 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.
