IS Applications Lead

IS Applications Lead

Our client an oil and gas Operator is seeking an experienced IS Applications Lead to join their Information Systems team for a 2- year PAYE contract position based in Barrow-in-Furness location. This role has a 1-day hybrid working.

Purpose of Role:

The Information Systems (IS) Applications Lead is responsible for the overall delivery and performance of a broad internally and externally provisioned applications estate, with SAP at its core. The role is responsible for technical and commercial oversight, governance, assurance and outsourced service management and is expected to be hands-on with the day-to-day direction of outsourced resources and decision making relating to key run and change activity.

Key Role Deliverables:

General:

Maintain (cross-discipline) IS applications processes, procedures and work instructions (and drive compliance)

Determine / maintain fit-for-purpose scalable and resilient integrated applications architecture, ensuring reliability, security, integrity and performance of the estate

Act as applications focal point for (cross-discipline) IS / IT / Cyber / Deloitte audits and external reviews

Manage all third-party application vendors, relationships and commercial agreements

Classify, assess and assure third party / cloud / SaaS application services

Execute application-related control assurance attestations

Undertake contract renewals / tenders in collaboration with Head of IS and the Supply Chain function

Maintain secure password management (rotation, vault storage etc.)

Manage Source-to-Pay processes for IS applications (in collaboration with team, business owners, Supply Chain and Finance)

Project Manage / Deliver application projects (upgrades, changes, replacements, implementations etc.), drawing on outsourced support

Co-ordinate Test / UAT cycles

Collaborate with the Head of IS and the IT Lead to evolve cyber control framework of Manage, Protect, Detect and Respond capability / controls, with ongoing maturity assessments

Conduct security due diligence assessments on any new / changed IS services impacting the business

Conduct Cyber Incident Response testing in collaboration with team

Support cyber incident response / investigations

Oversee service provisioning and hosting of internal LoB apps and associated integrations

Oversee service provisioning and hosting of external / SaaS LoB apps and associated integrations

Manage licensing, consumption and renewals for all applications

Manage apps lifecycle (scope, source, design, build, test, commission, host, run, maintain, upgrade, retire, archive)

Handle apps change / upgrade / release management

Maintain apps (including SAP) build / support documentation (including Service Catalogue), drawing on outsourced providers

Provide Master Data Management

Handle major incident response (Apps, including SAP)

Manage outsourced Apps support contract performance / resources, directing and supervising as required

Act as the "glue" to connect external vendors and handle escalations related to integration / interfaces

Any other associated duties as reasonably required

SAP-Specific:

Oversee SAP landscape and associated integration - architecture, performance & security

Oversee SAP hosting and core technical support and maintenance (external SAP RISE and internal SAP BW / PO on Azure) and associated interfaces

Maintain and ensure operation of SAP-specific controls aligning to shareholder requirements, drawing on outsourced support

Co-ordinate scoping / shaping / design of change activity between business and external service provider

Handle SAP change / upgrade / release management, acting as Gate Keeper / Design Authority

Manage outsourced SAP support contract performance / resources, directing and supervising as required

Collaborate with Head of IS and Centrica over shared SAP journey (specific contract renewal needed in 2027)

Technical Skills

Strong overall understanding of IS applications management in a technical multi-site organization

Appreciation of infrastructure, networks and end user computing

Good understanding of MS365, Azure and PowerApps / Power BI

Good understanding of core SAP principles around change and release management

Ability to develop and maintain procedural, technical and architectural documentation and maintain a Service Catalogue

Knowledge of software licensing models and consumption analysis

Commercial skills to manage scope, specification and cost relating to applications

Ability to interface with audit teams, acting as the bridge between outsourced delivery teams and auditors

Deep and disciplined understanding of IT General Controls, specifically including those relating to SAP

Solid understanding of key processes including incident, problem and change management as well as business analysis and PMO processes for project delivery.

Effective contract management skills, with the ability to manage outsourced service providers and to connect vendors and navigate interfaces

Ability to co-ordinate (and in some cases execute) application testing

Strong appreciation for cyber security and the Cyber Assessment Framework, covering Managing Security Risk, Protecting against Cyber Attacks, Detecting Cyber Security Incidents and Minimising Impact of Security Incidents.

Ability to handle escalations, lead on significant incident response and manage outsourced resources as required

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in an IT / business discipline (or equivalent experience)