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Head of Digital Channels Technology
Job Reference hbuk/TP/358/2024
Job Introduction

Main Responsibilities
Handelsbanken is looking to significantly improve its customer touchpoints and needs a Head of Digital Channel Technology to take technical ownership of these areas. The role will be responsible for modernising and leading our software capability within the technology roadmap of the UK to deliver outstanding web and mobile offerings at pace.
The successful individual will lead a number of multi-discipline technical teams and will shape the teams accordingly to deliver our future digital channel roadmap, take technical ownership of our web and mobile banking services, provide technical strategic direction for both new and pre-existing services, build and strengthen the relationship with other Handelsbanken Group teams in Sweden by helping to shape direction to support UK outcomes, and support as we move those digital offerings onto the Cloud. The successful individual will need to collaborate with key stakeholders in all areas of the business to achieve this. In addition, the bank is looking to move to a modern agile mindset and way of operating, so the right individual will also be able to influence and shape that transition.
This is a great opportunity for an experienced technical lead to help shape our customer’s digital banking experience.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
- Take full lifecycle ownership of UK web and mobile services whether Group or UK owned
- Lead the technical designs and oversee all engineering related issues for front end and backend technologies
- Provide input into technical buy vs build decisions as the mobile / web journeys expand, and ensure they align with our modernisation strategy
- Ensure that we safely and securely incorporate third party solutions and / or Group solutions into our Digital offerings
- Support the move to performant, micro-service based Cloud applications as it becomes possible
- Evaluate technical efficiency, and be able to talk to long term costs, time to market, technical debt
- Ensure all products and services are supported by excellent third line support
- Stay up to date with latest digital technology trends and bring them to bear in our system designs
Delivery aspects
- Own technical aspects of delivery for our digital customer touchpoints
- Optimise the delivery throughput for web and mobile front end and back end components
- Lead technical initiatives to improve delivery efficiency (strategic direction on use of Group provided frameworks, build pipelines, ways of working improvements)
- Support the bank’s modernisation journey and transition to modern business processing platforms and their integration with the web and mobile services
- Support and enhance the existing agile ways of working
- Be able to marry Agile and Waterfall where necessary
People leadership of the UK web and mobile teams as they grow
- Build, continuously develop and lead a modern software capability (Java, React, mobile) in the UK
- Line manage, mentor and coach engineers
- Ensure best practice is shared across teams and empower the teams to drive change themselves
- Provide structured performance reviews to support ongoing professional development within teams
- Convert department-level objectives into key results for your team
Ideal Candidate
Research (by Harvard University) shows that women are particularly likely to second guess themselves and not apply - so if you are worried you don't meet all the criteria, get in touch anyhow and let us do the worrying…
Experience of product engineering and delivery, including within a people management role
Hands-on experience working in web-based and/or native app product development including the front end, backend services, database, build pipeline and networking technologies. This is not a hands on role but you need to be comfortable being close to the detail of the code and architecture.
Demonstrable experience of Agile and of leading and scaling distributed autonomous engineering teams across remote locations
Experience with Java, React and native IOS/AOS mobile would be strong plusses
Comfortable working withlegacy technologyconstraints, identifying opportunities to modernise andencouraging and leading innovation todrivetowards a modern, resilient technical architecture
Ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and to pick up new skill sets quickly
Track record of delivering well engineered solutions using current technologies
Experiencerunning engineeringteamsover a sustained period and can demonstrate excellent leadership across technology domains like development, quality, support, architecture and integration
Knowledge of developing and operating modern distributed software applications in the cloud would be ideal
Experienced in product development life cycles and working in a lean-agile way.
Can think and act strategically, as well as recognising when to act tactically and operationally
You are a people leader who can inspire and grow talent
You understand how to influence others and how to build collaborative, productive relationships with your peers
Able to form a clear compelling vision for the future, incorporating diverse sources of input.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to analyse, articulate and present complex issues clearly and concisely
Professional standard of presentation skills
Ability to build strong professional relationships at all levels and represent Handelsbanken effectively
Interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with impact with people at all levels
Integrity and discretion
Ability to work well under pressure
Attention to detail and an organised approach to work
Company Information
Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a local business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a bespoke service. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products.
We are embarking on an exciting Business Transformation journey. This transformation will significantly enhance our technology system systems, processes and services, bringing evolution to our ways of working. Join us in this transformative journey, where your dedication, adaptability and commitment will play a crucial role in shaping the future of banking for our valued customers.
The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.
Check our Handelsbanken website for further information
At Handelsbanken, we deeply value our unique culture and values including trust in and respect for each individual. We take pride in nurturing a work environment where people flourish, and where they are empowered to take decisions in their areas of expertise. We take a long term perspective in everything we do and want each employee who joins us to build a long terms successful career with the Bank.
What is in it for you?
- We have a wide range of learning and development available, empowering and enabling our colleagues to take ownership of their own development.
- Competitive Salary and an extensive range of benefits is provided, including private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance
- A market-leading pension contribution of 15% paid by the bank, which can be invested in a wide range of funds (including ESG and Shariah funds)
Application next steps
Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken recruiters will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.
There will be two stages of interview including technical and competency interviews.
How can we support you to be your best self? Our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to provide support e.g. if you need additional time to prepare for an interview or you have any requirements for any part of the interview/hiring process – just let us know by email uk_talent@careers.handelsbanken.co.uk.

This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. However, please note that after the two weeks, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.
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