Head of Technology

Join a UK-based tech-driven company at the forefront of financial data innovation. We're looking for a fill in a role for our client as they are seeking to hire a  Head of Technology & Manila Hub in the Philippines.

The Head of Manila is responsible for the oversight of the effective risk and operational management of business functions located on site ensuring development and alignment with the Group’s global objectives and strategies.

As the Head of Technology, Manila, the role will have responsibility for overseeing all aspects their technology infrastructure and strategy, in Manila. This includes managing the development and implementation of new technologies, ensuring the security and efficiency of existing systems, and leading a team of technology professionals.

The role will re quire collaboration with the Global Functional leads across the Corporate Functions to ensure that the teams in Manila adhere to the global framework ensuring global consistency of standards, processes and technology. The individual will represent Manila with key stakeholders both in APAC region and Globally within the Global Functions to help drive deliverables and priorities, to bring the best capabilities and experience to our internal stakeholders strengthening relationships.

The role also includes the responsibility to lead and drive cross functional strategies in the location across the teams ensuring seamless collaboration and results whilst ensuring that Manila continues to grow as a centre of excellence with stability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the Manila Target Operating Model for business functions, aligning with the Groups global strategies and standards
• Provide leadership and guidance to the local management team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration
• Champion the profile of the Manila office within the group to be viewed as a key hub for people and technology growth delivering excellence to partner our revenue divisions

Technology Leadership

• Build, grow and invest in a world-class engineering workforce
• Driving technology transformation and the delivery of all Compass related deliverables into Manila, shared with the LOB and Asset Class function heads (CIOs)
• Create and maintain a Manila technology plan consistent with the global technology strategy enabling the business strategy of the region
• Working with the Group Technology Leadership Team to develop and maintain a global technology strategy
• Ensure the technology delivery capability within Manila is aligned to and focused on realizing the regional and local business objectives
• Foster and drive teaming and technology/process standardization and optimization in Manila
• Foster and create a culture of continuous improvement and best practice in both technology and process
• Oversee and align IT risk management within the broader risk management framework
• Articulate, drive, and embed a business operations led technology and process governance framework covering pipeline identification, prioritization, and investment approvals
• In tandem with the IT and functional leadership teams, identify and implement strategies and action plans to continually reduce the operational IT delivery cost per FTE, and the operational service delivery cost per process
• Lead and manage staff, ensuring that team and individuals are motivated, have defined positions descriptions and reporting arrangements, their performance goals are clear and actively managed and development needs are defined and addressed

Operations & Risk Management

• Responsible for the day to day operation of the functions located on site ensuring compliance with internal control and risk management frameworks, and regulatory requirements
• Oversight of local management issues, responsible for governance framework and metrics to reflect and include appropriate escalations and performance indicators
• Effective partnering with function owners to enhance site level service and solution delivery – implementing effective communicative interaction models
• Manage relationships with business and stakeholders both regionally and globally

Drive Innovation, Growth & Excellence

• Identify, engage and develop productivity opportunities across Manila cross functionally
• Provide strategic planning and initiatives to optimise hub practices, to enhance efficiencies to enrich process deliveries and potential cost savings
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to implement emerging technologies to support transformation, and improve ways of workings
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and incorporate innovative opportunities to daily operational management

Talent Management & Development

• Attract, retain and develop top talent in Manila, ensuring the company has the skills and expertise to deliver to strong service levels
• Partner business functions to develop Manila talent management programs that will facilitate mobility, growth & promotion
• Promote the location within the Group as a centre for institutional knowledge to retain and attract internally a stronger workforce
• Provide coaching, mentoring and training to elevate Manila staff enhancing their capabilities
• Promote Diversity and Inclusion in Manila, implementing the cultures and values of the Group’s DEI strategy to commit to creating a workplace that is equitable
• Community Engagement to raise the company's image and support the organization to promote the firm’s presence

Experience / Competences
Essential

• A successful career track record in the financial industry
• A strong technology background
• This is a senior leadership role requiring the gravitas and ability to face off and influence internally senior global stakeholder groups across multiple functional teams
• Solid professional senior leadership experience overall, particularly in a fast paced financial service environment
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural and international organisation with global footprint
• Experience of running and scaling large / global service delivery teams
• Experience with a focus on building, managing or optimizing Offshore Centres of Expertise is relevant and important success criteria for role
• Proven track record of delivering high quality operational or technology services, experience in implementing continuous improvement methodologies including Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Agile to drive innovation and efficiency
• Commercially astute and good knowledge of the financial services industry
• Excellent leadership and management skills, with experience in managing large teams
• Ability to lead, plan and manage transformation and complex projects
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills, with ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders
• A persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent public speaking skills to engage a wide range of stakeholders across cultures and outside of the immediate domain, to influence outcomes and to deliver results
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, agile, and innovative approach to operational management
• Analytical and decisive decision maker, with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organisational goals

Desired

• Familiarity with the competitive financial and technological landscape in the Philippines
• Direct experience in a leadership capacity involved in the building out an Offshore Centre of Expertise in Manila or other locations
• International experience in working in multiple countries including global organisations with strong understanding for cultural adaptability
• Knowledge and applicable experience to digital transformation trends, challenges, and best practices