Shape the technology strategy, resilience and capability of Northern LGPS as the organisation enters the next phase of its development.

Northern LGPS is entering an important period of development, creating an FCA authorised investment management company and establishing the leadership, governance and operating capabilities required for the future.

As Head of Technology, you’ll have the opportunity to shape how technology supports this evolving organisation. You’ll set the multi-year technology vision, strengthen governance and operational resilience, and ensure Northern has secure, reliable and fit-for-purpose applications, data and infrastructure.

Working closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across Northern LGPS, you’ll align technology investment with organisational priorities while providing the leadership and oversight needed to deliver effective technology services and change. This is an opportunity to influence technology strategy at an organisational level while building the capability, controls and ways of working required for the long term.

About Northern LGPS

Northern LGPS is a c£70bn pooled investment partnership for the Local Government Pension Scheme, bringing together the investments of Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Merseyside Pension Fund and West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

Building on the foundations of its collaboration over several years, Northern LGPS is now entering the next phase of its development. This phase focuses on establishing an FCA authorised investment management company with a dedicated senior leadership team; strengthening governance and creating a clear operating model to support long-term investment outcomes.

For those joining at this stage, the opportunity is exceptional. These roles offer the chance to shape strategy, set standards and build leadership capability for the long term, working closely with the partner funds, who are both shareholders and clients, Boards and regulators to ensure Northern LGPS continues to evolve as a well-governed, resilient investment organisation.

Our culture

As Northern LGPS continues to evolve, we are building a collaborative, open and trusting organisation where people can do their best work.

We believe strong outcomes come from working together, sharing knowledge and supporting one another. Our flexible and hybrid working arrangements give colleagues greater flexibility in how they manage their time, while supporting collaboration and colleague wellbeing.

We are developing a supportive learning culture where people are encouraged to grow, contribute ideas and help shape how the organisation works. Our ambition is to build a resilient and sustainable organisation that delivers for its Partner Funds over the long term.

The main responsibilities of this role

As Head of Technology, you’ll provide strategic leadership, governance and oversight across technology strategy, operations and change. You’ll play a key role in ensuring technology enables Northern’s organisational priorities while maintaining resilience, security and effective control.

You will:

• Develop and implement a multi-year technology strategy aligned with Northern’s business objectives, providing leadership on relevant technology trends and innovation.
• Work closely with senior management to integrate technology priorities with wider organisational strategy and investment.
• Establish and maintain effective technology policies, standards, governance and controls, supporting compliance with regulatory and organisational requirements.
• Lead the management of technology risk and cybersecurity, protecting organisational assets and data and ensuring robust disaster recovery, backup, business continuity and incident response arrangements.
• Oversee the technology change portfolio, prioritising projects and programmes against business outcomes and ensuring appropriate resources, governance, delivery and benefits realisation.
• Drive appropriate innovation, digital transformation and automation to improve services, operational efficiency and organisational agility.
• Ensure the availability, reliability and performance of technology systems and infrastructure, continually improving IT service management and technology operations.
• Build strong relationships across Northern LGPS, understanding stakeholder needs and ensuring technology solutions remain aligned with organisational priorities.
• Manage key external technology providers, including contract negotiations and oversight of service delivery against agreed requirements.
• Develop and manage the technology budget, maintaining financial discipline and identifying opportunities to improve cost effectiveness without compromising service quality or security.
• Lead, mentor and develop the technology team, creating clear objectives and performance indicators and fostering collaboration, service, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the technology function has the skills, resources and tools required to deliver effectively, supporting talent acquisition, retention and professional development.
• Maintain awareness of relevant regulatory requirements and work with compliance colleagues to support audits and regulatory assessments.
• Ensure control failures, incidents and non-compliance are reported through the appropriate governance channels.
• Centralise governance across technology strategy, operations and change, providing comprehensive oversight and engaging with relevant committees as required.

What we're looking for

The Head of Technology will need the strategic perspective to connect technology with organisational priorities, combined with the leadership and governance capability to oversee resilient, secure and effective technology services.

You’ll need to be able to:

• Develop and lead a multi-year technology strategy aligned with wider business objectives.
• Provide effective leadership across technology governance, risk, cybersecurity and operational resilience.
• Oversee technology projects, programmes and change portfolios, balancing resources, stakeholder expectations and business outcomes.
• Lead technology operations with a focus on availability, reliability, performance and service effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities to use technology, digital transformation and automation to improve services and operational efficiency.
• Build effective relationships with senior internal stakeholders, Boards, external service providers, regulators and other relevant parties.
• Manage technology suppliers, contracts and service delivery effectively.
• Manage technology budgets with appropriate financial discipline and a focus on cost effectiveness.
• Lead, develop and retain technology professionals while creating a collaborative, accountable and continuously improving team environment.
• Operate effectively within established compliance, control and governance frameworks.

Location

You can be based at any of our offices in Bradford, Manchester or Liverpool.

Flexible and hybrid working

Northern LGPS offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements, alongside a commitment to colleague wellbeing.

Sponsorship

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Equal opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to support your application, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient volume of suitable applications.