Application Support Manager, Financial / Banking

Application Support Manager, Financial / Banking

Whilst the emphasis is a Managers role, preferred candidates will come from a Technical background in a Banking / Financial environment. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience of Trading Application Support in a mixed Windows / Linux environment including strong Database knowledge (SQL Server, Oracle) and extensive Scripting - PowerShell / Python.

About TheRole:

Managing a highly technical Application Support Team Engineers, looking after numerous Bespoke and 3rd Party Trading / Settlement Systems in a fast paced and pressurised environment.

You’ll be the bridge between the business and technology, scoping both current and future requirements and enabling their delivery and uptime as the business requires within agreed timescales.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaise with the business and ensuring the required level of support/ SLA’s are adhered to including planning upgrades.
• Consistently analysing the business’s requirements, researching / analysing new technologies and best practice for the future
• Managing a team of Highly Technical 2nd / 3rd Line Application Support Analysts including Hiring, Training and Development plans
• Monitor team members performance targets and their delivery of high-quality support to both inhouse and 3rd party clients.
• Monitor and report the performance and availability of mission-critical systems and applications
• Act as a Technical escalation point / mentor for complex issues, referring and delegating to the appropriate teams when necessary
• Actively participate in incident management and problem resolution activities, driving the team to resolve issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Continuously assess and identifying opportunities for automation, process improvement, and efficiency gains.
• Carry out annual appraisals with the Head of Support for members within your team.

Team Duties / Required Skills:

• Provide Financial Application Support including installation / configuration, upgrading and troubleshooting.
• Experience of at least one Scripting Language - PowerShell, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, Perl, SQL, Bash.
• In depth knowledge of Databases to DBA / Developer level including writing and troubleshooting SQL Code including performance issues - SQL Server / Oracle.
• Strong background in Windows and ideally some Linux/Unix OS’s including supporting numerous Applications on mixed Windows / Linux Server platforms.
• Some Linux / Unix Systems Administration (RedHat, Centos).
• General Networking / Infrastructure Troubleshooting and Diagnostics - DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, Firewalls
• Good understanding / operational experience of ITIL methodology with any certifications beneficial.
• Ability work well under pressure in a vibrant and busy environment.

Non-Essential But Highly Desirable Skills:

• Previous experience supporting Futures & Options Trading, Risk and Settlement Systems.
• Knowledge of at least one of the ISV’s products - Trading Technologies, Stellar, ULLink, WebICE, Object Trading, Fidessa, ION / Patsystems, Trayport.
• Exchange Connectivity - ICE / LIFFE, Eurex, CME / CBOT, Euronext, Xetra, Chi-X, LME, LSE, NYSE.
• FIX Connectivity - Client On-boarding, Support / Troubleshooting of FIX Logs / Connections.
• Other Market Data - Reuters, Bloomberg, CQG, Ateo (Teo and Lisa).
• Experience in Exchange and Vendor Management with a view to project managing exchange/system critical upgrades

Ideally candidates will also have experience of Risk and Compliance and possess the ability to motivate and develop the team whilst ensuring it’s duties are carried out "The Right Way" and to a high ethical standard.

Excellent Salary and Benefits to include:

• Inclusion in Personal and Company Bonus + Overtime
• 25 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 days.
• Pension
• Health Care, Health and Life Assurance
• Childcare Vouchers
• Season Ticket Loan
• Subsidised Gym Membership
• Cycle To Work Scheme