Enterprise Applications Manager

🚀 Enterprise Applications Manager (EMEA) | Up to £95k + 8% Bonus | Hybrid – Cheltenham or London A leading defence and advanced technology organisation is looking for an Enterprise Applications Manager to head up a newly formed Business Systems team across their EMEA operations. This is a genuinely rare opportunity to build something from the ground up — shaping the enterprise applications strategy for a complex, mission-led environment with real scope and influence. You'll sit within the EMEA IT leadership team, at the intersection of technology and business strategy, with a remit spanning the full application lifecycle — from roadmap definition through to optimisation and retirement. Hybrid, based out of Cheltenham or London, with up to 25% travel across the region. ✨ Why this role stands out: 1️⃣ Define and own the enterprise applications roadmap from day one, with genuine influence over long-term technology direction 2️⃣ Lead and develop your own team of application specialists, backed by the structure of a global organisation 3️⃣ High-visibility role within the EMEA IT leadership team, with direct exposure to senior stakeholders and strategic decision-making 🎯 Responsibilities: 🔹 Define and deliver a strategic roadmap for enterprise applications aligned to business priorities 🔹 Lead the end-to-end application lifecycle — selection, implementation, upgrades, optimisation, and retirement 🔹 Ensure reliability, availability, and performance of critical business systems 🔹 Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of application specialists 🔹 Partner with business units, IT service lines, and external vendors to deliver value-driven solutions 🔹 Embed governance, security, and compliance standards across all enterprise applications 🛠️ Skills/Must Have: 🔹 Proven experience in senior applications management or IT leadership 🔹 Strong technical knowledge across enterprise ecosystems — ERP, PLM, BI, SaaS, integration technologies, Atlassian, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or ServiceNow 🔹 Demonstrated ability to lead teams and influence across matrixed organisations 🔹 Strong stakeholder engagement, vendor management, and project delivery skills 🔹 Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills 🔹 Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related discipline 🔹 Eligible for UK Government SC clearance (UK nationals only) 🔹 Desirable: experience in manufacturing, engineering, or production environments, including secure or classified settings 🎁 Benefits: 🔹 Flexible working, including compressed fortnight option 🔹 Private healthcare 🔹 Cash health plan 🔹 Holiday buy and sell scheme 🔹 Career development and progression programmes 🔹 Performance-based bonus 💰 Salary: Up to £95k + 8% Bonus