About Cara Credit Union
Cara Credit Union, now the largest community-based credit union in Munster, is proud to serve its members throughout the county and be immersed in the hearts of our local communities.
With an asset size in excess of €340 million, the credit union has seen significant growth in recent years across its six-branch network in County Kerry.
Due to this growth, we are delighted to invite applications for the newly created role of IT Manager, to meet the credit unions existing and future needs.
This is a full time, permanent role, open to hybrid working, with a base location in the Tralee Branch and a requirement to travel throughout the branch network, as necessary.
The Role
Reporting to the IT & Strategic Projects Officer
The IT Manager will primarily be responsible for managing the IT infrastructure and operation within the credit union, to achieve the current and future product and service needs of our valued members, to a best-in-class standard.
The key objectives are to support the I.T. network, servers and workstations, provide software application support, and act as a primary point of contact for dealing with external providers.
The role will provide opportunities to work on a variety of I.T. projects, liaising with different departments across the credit union and providing support across our branch network.
The role manages a team within the remit of this area, inclusive of their performance management and development, ensuring they are empowered to deliver the quality of service and support required within their given roles.
The IT Manager will act within the policies as laid down by the Board, the governance and the rules of the credit union, the Credit Union Act 1997 (as amended) and within the ethos and philosophy of the credit union, with minimal possible risk to the business of the credit union.
Key Responsibilities
* Contribute to the development and implementation of a shared technology roadmap that meets current and future product and service needs of the credit union and our members, within defined budgets and timeframes.
* Regularly report to the IT & Strategic Projects Officer on IT budgets and any trends or deviations in the level of services, or any other matters of concern.
* Generate detailed reports for the IT & Strategic Projects Officer, as well as attend Board and executive meetings as required.
* Manage the IT systems, including system administration, inventory, maintenance, updates and monitoring of system and application events, ensuring issues are appropriately escalated and resolved.
* Develop and enhance relationships with key stakeholders as well as manage and work with vendors in the procurement and maintenance of IT products and services.
* Oversee regular IT supplier reviews to ensure service is being delivered against contracted SLAs as well as coordinate and manage the change processes with suppliers.
* Analyse and improve efficiency, increase accuracy, transparency and knowledge in relation to operational and technological business decisions and workflows.
* Maintain a member-focused outlook in the delivery of IT projects to market while ensuring all technology practices adhere to regulatory and security standards, particularly with reference to cyber security.
* Manage IT Risk and IT security controls of this business as needed for effective security and identify and eliminate weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
* Ensure all governance - audit, validation, compliance, and regulatory requirements are in place and met as it relates to this role.
* Liaise with key stakeholders of the business such as the Risk and Compliance department, Internal and External Audit, and Data Protection function, ensuring the credit union is compliant with legal, statutory and regulatory requirements, policies and best practice.
* Ensure compliance with all Central Bank of Ireland recommendations in terms of IT, with particular emphasis on outsourcing, operational resilience and data governance.
* Responsible for the credit unions overall ICT operational procedures and policies, including the credit unions ICT Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans and the operational resilience framework of the credit union.
* Ensure that employees receive regular training in terms of IT and cyber security and communicate on topical IT matters.
* Manage key deliverables while working towards deadlines that ensures alignment with the credit unions overall strategies.
* Keep abreast of current and emerging IT and web technologies as well as research, evaluate and action the same, relevant to the credit union.
Role Requirements
* Ideally third level qualification in I.T or related field e.g. computer science, information technology or network engineering.
* At least 3 years' relevant experience within the information technology field or an industry with reliance on technical expertise.
* A minimum of 2+ years people management experience, ideally within the financial services sector.
* Excellent knowledge of technical management frameworks and of computer hardware/software systems.
* Strong IT and analytical skills and a high level of competence in solution-based problem resolution.
* Highly driven, energetic and self-motivated; strong interpersonal, communication (oral & written), and presentation skills with proven ability to pro-actively engage, collaborate and influence stakeholders and colleagues at all levels.
* Proven ability to analyse and design business processes.
* Excellent organisational and analytical ability; sound judgement, with the ability to recognise, identify, interpret & find solutions.
* Proven track record of delivering projects on time and on budget.
* IT procurement experience, ensuring vendor contracts support business needs.
* Track record as an innovator, leading organisations and people through change.
* Empathy with the ethos and values of the credit union.
* Ability to travel between branch offices as required.
Short listing may apply, and assessment will be done on the basis of the information provided in the application.
Cara Credit Union is proud to support an inclusive and diverse workforce.
Cara Credit Union is governed by the Central Bank of Ireland.