Director of Digital Systems

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Digital Systems to join our global team.

Team and Role Purpose

Purpose of the team is to lead on the development and configuration of Save the Children’s global digital business and operating systems used across SCI and Members. The team are key to maintaining the application portfolio as fit for purpose and developing new and existing systems in line with business requirements, maximising the value they deliver and enabling our organisation to achieve impact for children. Working in partnership with Transformation Delivery and business functions, the team are accountable for delivery of application development and change for Transformation Delivery projects, SCI Functions and internal IT functions. 

Role purpose

SCI has an integrated application landscape of SaaS, in house and 3rd party developed solutions. The purpose of the Director of Digital Systems role is to lead the Digital Systems function, owning the build, test, configuration and maintenance across this landscape. Core to this role is ensuring BAU operations are delivered whilst driving transformation and ensuring the capabilities, operating model and structure of the team evolve seamlessly in alignment with the maturing technology estate. Most notable is the in-flight transformation replacing legacy on premise, customised finance system with Oracle Fusion as part of our ongoing journey to SaaS ERP. The Director of Digital Systems will ensure our critical digital platforms continue to meet requirements of SCI and SCA members using the central platforms, through the delivery of change, delivered on time and budget and to the expected quality.

The role will direct and manage the application build (dev and configuration), administration and test teams within SCI and 3rd party providers, providing direction, guidance and oversight through the relevant Product Development Management teams to deliver the “application build” capability throughout their lifecycle, utilising best practices and most appropriate technology stacks.

Working closely with the IT Leadership Team, the role will drive the Software Development Life Cycle management (SDLC) for each application and facilitate the adoption of continuous improvement as a Dev-Ops function ensuring the quality of our applications is maintained and assured.

They will partner with business functions, technology groups and vendors to ensure that our core applications align with the organisation’s strategy, mission and vision. They will ensure that Product Roadmaps are in place to guide the delivery of change across our applications portfolio, and that change is managed through the appropriate application of Agile processes.

Job Title: Director of Digital Systems

Reports To: Chief Information Officer

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available

Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers

Required Time Zone: GMT+/-3

Contract Length: Permanent

Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment

Language Requirements: English

International Travel: up to 5% 

People Management: Number of people managed in total: 40

Manager of a team: Yes

Team Manager (manager of multiple teams): Yes  

Budget Responsibility: Full budget responsibility for Software Development Engineering c.£3m

Remit: Global

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead the strategic direction for application development and SCI’s core operating systems, aligning with SCI's architectural principles and industry/vendor best practice to ensure future-ready, scalable, reliable and high-performing solutions.
• Manage diverse global software development and application management teams, fostering an inclusive environment where innovation is encouraged, and applications meet global needs efficiently.
• Ensure team structure, capabilities and ways of working keep pace with the changing technology estate and this change is managed minimising operational disruption (notably introduction of new finance SaaS Oracle Fusion)
• Embed the appropriate use of Agile methodologies into development processes, ensuring defined structured ways of working are in place and followed. Developing, coaching and educating team members, the wider IT team and key stakeholders as required. 
• Implement the principles of continuous improvement to enhance the SCI SDLC and maintain the move towards a Dev-Ops function working closely with the TDIT Leadership team to alignment of Digital Systems to our wider technology vision and TDIT direction.
• Cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring that applications are able to continue to meet business requirements and maintain a reputation of reliability and trust within SCI and its partner members.
• Implement governance frameworks for vendor management and key stakeholders, ensuring that external partnerships align with SCI standards for quality and integrity.
• Drive security and compliance strategies within our digital systems, safeguarding data protection and aligning with SCI’s values for accountability and ethical practice.

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Extensive experience in leadership of IT functions including applications development and management.
2. BAU leadership of an established integrated technology estate comprising of SaaS, custom in house and 3rd party solutions
3. Overseen introduction of significant technology change and associated new services, capabilities and restructures 
4. Proficient experience managing SDLC and solutions delivery through Agile including development and QA processes, ensuring quality delivery of software solutions.
5. Considerable experience in a fast-paced environment
6. Significant experience working with non-technical staff, successfully translating and negotiating requirements into detailed technical specifications, handling complex technical specifications and managing priorities.
7. Experience across diverse cultural contexts with a proven ability to deliver solutions internationally, working alongside offshore teams.
8. Proficiency in understanding and implementing software design patterns and object-oriented principles.
9. Clear grasp of web services, SOA, APIs, and micro services architectures.
10. Familiarity with application lifecycle management, test-driven development (TDD), and continuous integration.

Desirable

• Non-profit sector knowledge/experience
• Experience working in a federated or multi legal entity environment and providing shared services in such an environment
• Experience with ERP solutions (Oracle Fusion FMS preferred)

Education and Qualifications 

Essential

• A degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field is preferred
• Equivalent practical experience may be considered
• Familiarity with configuration management and change management tools

Desirable

• Professional qualifications in project management (e.g., PMP, Scrum Master), Agile development, Testing and software development methodologies will be beneficial

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found at SCI Careers. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse.  All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-Harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.