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)
• 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
• Manage Source-to-Pay processes for IS applications (in collaboration with team, business owners, Supply Chain and Finance)
• 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
• Oversee service provisioning and hosting of external / SaaS LoB apps and associated integrations
• Manage apps lifecycle (scope, source, design, build, test, commission, host, run, maintain, upgrade, retire, archive)

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
• 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
• Good understanding of MS365, Azure and PowerApps / Power BI
• Good understanding of core SAP principles around change and release management
• Commercial skills to manage scope, specification and cost relating to application
• Solid understanding of key processes including incident, problem and change management as well as business analysis and PMO processes for project delivery.
• 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.

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