At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of core business platforms and drive AI-enabled operations.
- Company: Join the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a global team of changemakers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to building a better future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global change while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in enterprise applications and expertise in SaaS platforms.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us. At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.
We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.
In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.
Role Summary
TBI's Digital function exists to enable the Institute's global mission by ensuring our people have the platforms, applications and engineering capability to operate effectively at scale. Following a period of foundational delivery, including the establishment of Cyber Essentials+ certification, a live SOC, Salesforce as our CRM platform, the stabilisation of our Workday investment, and the building of our data warehouse foundations, Digital is moving into a phase focused on platform maturity, AI-enabled operations and engineering excellence.
The Director of Applications is a new, senior role accountable for the availability, configuration and ongoing evolution of TBI's core business platforms: Salesforce, Workday, and Microsoft 365 / Azure, together with the engineering practice, AI platform operations and platform-level roadmaps that underpin them. Reporting to the CTO, this role leads the Applications function, owns the platform Centre of Excellence, and provides the technical leadership that translates business needs into delivered platform capability.
You will be an experienced applications leader with deep expertise in SaaS platforms, modern engineering practice (CI/CD, source control, environment and release management, test automation) and the operational realities of running mission-critical business systems globally. You will work closely with the CTO, the Head of Digital Transformation & Performance, the Enterprise Architect, the Director of Security & Compliance, and the platform leads to ensure our applications estate enables rather than constrains TBI's ambitions.
Key Responsibilities
- Accountable for the availability, configuration and ongoing management of TBI's three strategic platforms: Salesforce, Workday, and Microsoft 365 / Azure.
- Own the platform-level roadmaps that enable delivery of the Digital Roadmap, in close collaboration with the Digital Leadership Team and Platform Leads.
- Establish and lead the platform Centre of Excellence; platform-specific standards, delivery patterns and an internal community across the platform leads and developers.
- Line management responsibility for the Build team.
- Own engineering practice across the Applications function: source control and repository governance (GitHub, Salesforce via Gearset), CI/CD pipelines, environment management (dev/test/UAT/prod parity and access), release management and test strategy / automation.
- Define and enforce technical execution standards for releases, distinct from the change control approval process.
- Define and lead engineering standards, architectural patterns and Infrastructure as Code.
- Accountable for the operational availability of TBI's internal AI platforms (Claude, Agentforce, AI assistants) and ongoing AI consumption cost and budget management.
- Own AI usage monitoring: drift, hallucination and misuse pattern detection, partnering with the Director of Security & Compliance, who owns AI security and the Responsible Use Policy.
- Provide the operational foundation that enables TBI's Agentic AI and Generative AI capability pillars.
- Own scaling (design and operation), rightsizing and optimisation of cloud and SaaS resources.
- Own application monitoring, alerting and on-call response for in-scope platforms.
- Lead cross-platform test strategy and quality standards.
- Partner with the Digital Leadership to translate business needs (the Digital Roadmap) into platform-level delivery (Platform Roadmaps).
- Partner with the Director of Security & Compliance on identity, access, secret management and DevSecOps practices embedded in CI/CD.
- Partner with the Enterprise Architect on significant technical decisions and integration patterns.
- Support the CTO with platform investment cases, vendor negotiation for strategic platforms and Executive-level reporting on platform health.
Person Specification
- Significant senior leadership experience running enterprise application functions in a mid-to-large global organisation.
- Deep expertise in at least two of: Salesforce, Workday, and Microsoft 365 / Azure or AWS as enterprise platforms (configuration, integration, governance, licensing, support).
- Demonstrable experience embedding modern engineering practice incl. CI/CD pipelines, source control governance, environment management, release management, automated testing, in a SaaS-heavy environment.
- Track record of building and running Centres of Excellence around major platforms.
- Experience operationalising AI platforms and managing AI consumption cost is a strong advantage.
- Strong understanding of how applications-layer decisions intersect with security, identity, data and architecture, and a collaborative working style with peers in those functions.
- Experience managing technical leads and platform specialists, and a track record of developing them.
- Comfortable operating at executive level on platform investment cases and roadmap trade-offs.
- Pragmatic and delivery-oriented; able to make and defend decisions about where to invest engineering effort.
- Open and progressive; bold and pragmatic; an optimistic changemaker — aligned with TBI's core beliefs.
Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK to apply for this role. We reserve the right to close this role early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.
Closing Date: 2026-08-09
Director of Applications in London employer: Tony Blair Institute
At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where every team member can thrive. As a Director of Applications, you will not only lead innovative technology initiatives but also benefit from our strong emphasis on professional development and collaboration across diverse teams. With a global presence and a mission-driven culture, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive workplace that values their unique contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Applications in London
✨Get Involved in Tech Transfer Events
Tech transfer is all about networking, so make sure you're attending industry conferences and seminars related to technology commercialization. Events like the AUTM Annual Meeting or local innovation workshops are clutch for meeting key players and learning what's trending—plus, you might just bump into someone from Tony Blair Institute!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Having a solid portfolio can really make you stand out. Highlight any projects where you successfully brought a technology to market or improved a process. Sharing case studies or insights on platforms like LinkedIn can catch the eye of recruiters at Tony Blair Institute, showing them you’ve got the chops for the job.
✨Leverage University Connections
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Join forums or online communities focused on tech transfer and commercialization. Platforms like ResearchGate or industry-specific Slack channels are great for connecting with professionals, discussing trends, and possibly learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream. Remember, your next opportunity could be just a message away!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Applications in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Transfer Know-How:In the tech transfer and commercialization world, it's crucial to highlight your understanding of intellectual property, patents, and market analysis. Make sure your CV includes relevant projects or experiences where you successfully navigated these areas. Any certifications in commercialisation would also give you a serious edge!
Tailor Your Documents for the Role:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the position at Tony Blair Institute, but also your knowledge of current trends in technology-transfer. Discuss specific cases where you've contributed to commercialising innovations or enhancing research outcomes—this will show you’re ready to tackle challenges head-on!
Quantify Your Achievements:In this field, numbers count! Whether it's successful licensing deals, funding acquired for projects, or percentage increases in collaboration outcomes, include these metrics in your CV. They not only make your accomplishments more tangible but also demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Demonstrate Your Business Acumen:Understanding the business side is just as crucial as the tech side! When writing your application, weave in examples that illustrate your strategic thinking and your role in negotiations or partnerships. This balance of skills is what will set you apart for a full-time role at Tony Blair Institute.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tony Blair Institute
✨Demonstrate Your Tech Knowledge
Brush up on key technologies and trends in technology transfer and commercialization. Be ready to showcase your understanding of licensing agreements and the innovation lifecycle, as well as any specific tools or software used in the field.
✨Show Your Business Acumen
This role isn't just about tech; it's also about understanding the market. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach bringing a technology to market, including strategies for assessing commercial viability and potential partnerships.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Think about how you'd approach real-world challenges in technology transfer, like negotiating a deal or handling stakeholder concerns—this can help us get a sense of your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past, particularly in scenarios that involved tech developers and business strategists coming together.
