Head of Core Technology Management | S5 | Chief Information Office | Milton Keynes | Internal Mobility

Head of Core Technology Management | S5 | Chief Information Office | Milton Keynes | Internal Mobility Country: United Kingdom IT STARTS HERE Santander ( www.santander.com ) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation , and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together , we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation , and the courage to challenge what’s possible. This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference . Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper . We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management. Santander Technology and Operations is the division that is accountable for the run and change of technology and operations at Santander UK. We are convinced of the importance of technology that is aligned with the requirements of the business and that our work not only brings value to users, people and communities but also fosters individual creativity. Our team develops and/or implements financial solutions across a broad spectrum of technologies on all kinds of on-premise and cloud-based platforms. THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE The Chief Information Office is looking for a Head of Core Technology Management based out of Unity Place, Milton Keynes The Head of Core Technology Management will lead the CIO core technology capability created to maintain effective UK accountability, oversight and informed decision-making across technology services delivered through the Go-To-Model. The role ensures Santander UK retains the knowledge, controls and governance required to oversee service performance, manage risk and regulatory obligations, and hold Group and third-party service providers to account. This role brings together technology domain leadership, service governance, supplier oversight, regulatory engagement, business relationship management and operational resilience. It is central to ensuring the retained organisation remains capable of making well-informed technology decisions, managing operational controls and supporting exit readiness where required. The Head of Core Technology Management is accountable for ensuring the retained technology model is robust, commercially disciplined, risk-aware and aligned to business outcomes. The role provides senior leadership across Technical Service Managers, subject matter experts and service engagement capabilities, translating business priorities and risk obligations into clear technology governance, delivery and assurance outcomes. Additionally, the role is also accountable for Executive and VIP EUT Support in the UK. We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the CIO Core Technology retained function, setting clear direction for technical oversight, design authority and business alignment across the retained organisation. Maintain sufficient retained technical management knowledge of outsourced and transferred services to enable informed decisions, robust challenge of providers and effective service exit readiness. Hold Group partners, strategic suppliers and third parties accountable for service performance, control effectiveness, resilience outcomes and contract governance commitments. Own senior oversight of technology service performance, ensuring risks, issues, incidents, remediation activity and performance concerns are visible, managed and escalated through appropriate governance. Accountable for ensuring all of Santander UK’s end user technology meets performance, compliance & support standards. Represent CIO in senior governance, risk, regulatory and business forums, translating complex technology issues into concise, decision-ready insight for executive stakeholders. Ensure UK business requirements, regulatory expectations, operational controls, cyber security, data privacy and risk obligations are reflected in the design and operation of core technology services. Lead business relationship management for CIO, ensuring business priorities, demand, service expectations and transformation dependencies are understood and appropriately managed. Provide retained oversight of solution design and delivery where local UK accountability is required, including alignment to Group technology standards, regulatory expectations and business outcomes. Embed operational resilience across technology functions, supporting scenario testing, service continuity, Important Business Service dependency transparency and resilience-by-design expectations. Drive financial discipline, commercial awareness and value management across the retained technology model, balancing service outcomes, cost efficiency and supplier performance. Build, lead and develop a high-performing team of Technology Service Managers, SMEs and service engagement professionals, strengthening capability, succession and accountability across the function. Support the continued transition to the Global organisation and Domains model, ensuring organisational change, open role resolution, people impacts and operational readiness are managed in a controlled and risk-aware way. Lead the Executive EUT support team in the UK. WHAT YOU’LL BRING Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring. The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Extensive senior leadership experience across enterprise technology, technology service management or infrastructure domains within a mid-to-large regulated financial services organisation. (Required) Strong understanding of retained organisation models, outsourced/shared service environments and the governance disciplines needed to hold providers to account. (Required) Strong understanding of Executive End User Technology and VIP support operating models. (Required) Proven ability to lead technology oversight across complex hybrid, Group-delivered, third-party and transformed service landscapes. (Required) Credible experience engaging with senior executives, governance forums, Risk, Cyber, Operational Resilience, Regulatory Affairs and business leadership teams. (Required) Deep appreciation of technology risk, operational controls, regulatory expectations, cyber security, data privacy and service performance obligations in a UK banking environment. (Required) Commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to manage budgets, supplier performance, cost trade-offs and retained capability in a disciplined way. (Required) Ability to translate business demand, regulatory priorities and strategic change into clear technology accountabilities, service outcomes and delivery expectations. (Required) Experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams, including Technology Service Managers, subject matter experts and service/business engagement colleagues. (Required) Strong communication and influencing capability, able to make complex technical, service and risk matters accessible and actionable for senior stakeholders. (Required) Strategic and holistic thinking, with the judgement to balance short-term service stability, transformation delivery, regulatory resilience and long-term technology direction. (Required) Education Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Information Systems, or a related discipline. ( Preferred) Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g. Information Technology, Business Administration (MBA), Engineering, or Cyber Security) or equivalent professional experience. (Preferred) Relevant professional certifications such as ITIL, COBIT, TOGAF, PRINCE2, PMP, CISSP, or equivalent technology governance, service management, architecture, or leadership qualifications are desirable. (Preferred) Languages English (Required) Hard Skills Expertise in overseeing enterprise technology services, governance frameworks, and service performance within complex operating models. (Required) Proven ability to manage strategic suppliers, outsourced services, commercial performance, and contractual governance. (Required) Strong knowledge of technology risk management, operational resilience, cyber security, regulatory compliance, and business continuity. (Required) Experience managing technology budgets, cost optimisation, financial planning, and value realisation across technology services. (Required) Deep understanding of enterprise infrastructure, hybrid technology environments, solution oversight, and end-user technology services. (Required) Soft Skills Ability to define vision, set direction, and lead high-performing teams through organisational and technology transformation. (Required) Exceptional ability to engage, influence, and build trusted relationships with executives, regulators, business leaders, and external partners. (Required) Strong judgement to balance business priorities, regulatory requirements, operational risk, and long-term technology strategy. (Required) Ability to communicate complex technical and risk concepts clearly and concisely to senior stakeholders and governance forums. (Required) Demonstrated capability to coach, develop, and inspire multidisciplinary teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. (Required) WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return. Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally. Salary Range: £108,800.00 - £163,200.00 per annum (depending on experience) This salary range represents the expected remuneration for the role. Annual salary is based on a standard 35-hour working week. Actual salary offered will depend on skills, experience, qualifications and location. Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring. Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support. Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support. Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve. Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network. READY TO BE RECOGNISED? IT STARTS WITH YOU. At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates. We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow. To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern , where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles). When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs. WHAT TO DO NEXT If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply. For further Guidance please visit Internal Mobility - Candidate Guidance . If you want to know more about the opportunity: Please contact Rohit Vij – [email protected]