Technology Officer

Internal use only – Grade B

About us.

We are The Very Group and we’re here to help families get more out of life. We know that our customers work hard for their families and have a lot to balance in their busy lives. That’s why we combine amazing brands and products with flexible payment options on Very.co.uk to help them say yes to the things they love. We’re just as passionate about helping our people get more out of life too; building careers with real growth, a sense of purpose, belonging and wellbeing.

About the role

The Technology Officer will be a key support to the CIO taking responsibility for the Head’s of Technology across Architecture, all Engineering disciplines, Quality Assurance and Data across all brands and business units within The Very Group in the UK and Ireland.

Working as part of the CIO leadership, they provide strategic direction and leadership to ensure The Very Group’s technology estate meets the current and future needs of the business in line with the business strategy and direction set by the group board.

This role requires a forward-thinking and pro-active individual with excellent leadership skills and a strong technical background and understanding in Data, Architecture and Engineering who can foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, diversity, and continuous improvement across the whole Technology team.

Scope of Role

Nature and Area of impact:

• Has responsibility to recommend and deliver the technology strategy and roadmap in support of the business strategy.
• Is responsible for all system development, maintenance, and support and associate Capex and Revex costs in line with annual Capex plan and business needs as agreed by the group board.

Leadership:

• Leads a team in excess of 200 people made up of Architects, Software Engineers, Platform Engineers, QA Engineers,, Data Engineers and associated managers.
• These team members will be a mix of permanent TVG colleagues as well as 3rd party Tech resource partners.
• Responsible for the technical relationship with all third-party technology providers and resource providers that fall within their domain.
• Acts as a bridge between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
• Maintain relationships across the Exec, GLT, and SMT being recognised as a leader within the Tech function and point of contact.

Budget/Financial:

• Has shared responsibility within the Technology Leadership Team to ensure that the Technology department budget is managed effectively.
• Responsible for the cost of employment, cloud run costs, and license costs associated with the tech teams across the Technology, DCX, Retail, FS, Customer Care, and Logistics & Fulfilment business areas.
• Responsible for shaping and delivering multi £M roadmaps, projects and business/technology transformation.

Governance and Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and policies.
• Proactively identify and mitigate technology-related risks, including cybersecurity threats.
• Establish and maintain robust processes for monitoring and maintaining performance, reliability, and technical currency across all areas that fall within their domain.

Key Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Head of Architecture, shape the technology architecture based on desired strategic business outcomes and operating models (as agreed by the group board)
• Ensure quality software is delivered through the implementation of design & change standards in engineering and test.
• Develop & maintain strategic technology roadmaps
• Provide technology advice & direction to wider Technology and business
• Manage Technology engineering third party suppliers & partner relationships
• Ensure the right infrastructure, systems and people are in place to support the strategy
• Drive the business to raise the gaze on external trends, including competitive challenges, technology advances and an evolving regulatory environment.
• Ensuring compliance with all data regulations including GDPR.

About you

• Extensive experience of building, integrating, maintaining, and managing complex software architecture landscapes (both build and bought), across multi-cloud environments.
• A strong people leader who can galvanise a team behind a strategic direction, with evidence of successfully delivering transformation.
• Demonstrable experience of building and leading high performing technical teams.
• Practical experience of delivering change in a lean / agile environment.
• Proven ability to produce, manipulate, implement and enhance enterprise architecture concepts, roadmaps, principle and effective Technology strategies
• Broad knowledge of modern technology business process, including Disaster recovery, Service Assurance, business continuity & risk management
• Demonstratable ability to communicate & influence at all levels

• Technology leadership in 24x7 technology led consumer-focused Retail or Financial Services businesses
• Proven ability to develop & guide the implementation of business aligned Technology strategic plans.
• Demonstrable knowledge of EA frameworks such as TOGAF
• Proven ability to change and transform established process for the greater good of the business.

Role Conduct Requirements

This is a certification role under the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime; as such the conduct requirements of the role must be met and maintained as per the individual conduct rules set out by the FCA.

• Rule 1: You must act with integrity.
• Rule 2: You must act with due skill, care and diligence.
• Rule 3: You must be open and cooperative with the FCA, the PRA and other regulators.
• Rule 4: You must pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly.
• Rule 5: You must observe proper standards of market conduct.

Benefits

• Inclusive culture and environment, check out our Glassdoor reviews
• £10,000 flexible benefits allowance to suit your needs
• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• Udemy learning access
• Bonus potential (performance and business-related)
• Up to 25% discount on Very.co.uk

• Matched pension up to 6%
• More benefits can be found on our career site

How to apply

Please note that the talent acquisition team are managing this vacancy directly, and if successful in securing this role, which is captured under SMCR you will be required to undertake enhanced pre-employment checks including; a credit, CIFAS and standard DBS check. 

What happens next?

Our talent acquisition team will be in touch if you’re successful so keep an eye on your emails! We’ll arrange a short call to learn more about you, as well as answer any questions you have. If it feels like we’re a good match, we’ll share your CV with the hiring manager to review.

You can expect a three stage interview process after meeting the TA team.

First stage – A one-hour MS Teams or face to face call with our CTO.

Second Stage - A one-hour Interview with our Heads of Software Engineering, Head of Architecture and Head of Data.

Third Stage - Final Stage meeting with a member of our Exec Team.

As an inclusive employer please do let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

If you'd like to know more about our interviews, you can find out here.

Equal opportunities

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.