IT Service Continuity and Testing Manager
Technology Operational Resilience | Disaster Recovery | DORA
International Banking Group - Central London
Day Rate Contract - Inside IR35 - Fully On-site

Are you an experienced technology resilience and disaster recovery professional with expertise in operational resilience and continuity management? We're seeking an IT Service Continuity and Testing Manager to join our prestigious international banking client in London on a day rate contract. This critical role focuses on ensuring the continuity of IT operations, safeguarding systems against disruptions, and driving compliance with regulatory requirements, including the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).

You will lead disaster recovery exercises, enhance operational readiness, and implement technology resilience initiatives across the EMEA region. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you'll mitigate risks, develop preventative measures, and ensure alignment with resilience frameworks to maintain compliance across IT operations. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the strategic resilience framework of a leading financial institution.

Your Role

• Planning and executing disaster recovery exercises to ensure operational continuity in line with regulatory standards.
• Leading workshops and scenario testing events focused on infrastructure and cybersecurity domains.
• Coordinating technology support for facilities-driven activities, such as power up/down events.
• Maintaining and updating internal systems to track application disaster recovery statuses and documentation.
• Driving enhancements to the service continuity framework to align with regulatory mandates such as PRA and DORA.
• Representing service continuity status at key forums, including CHIP and Operational Resilience Practitioner meetings.
• Collaborating with stakeholders across technology, risk, audit, and corporate services to ensure alignment with resilience objectives.
• Supporting the IT Service Continuity & Operational Readiness Manager in delivering the strategic roadmap for technology resilience.
• Mentoring junior team members to execute day-to-day service continuity activities effectively.
• Ensuring timely escalation of risks or issues related to operational readiness or disaster recovery testing.

About You

• Proven experience in developing and running scenario testing aligned with regulatory expectations for operational resilience.
• Strong technical knowledge of infrastructure components such as networking, virtual servers, data replication, databases, and backup technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret disaster recovery plans and propose effective remedial actions during testing scenarios.
• Experience working in a financial regulated environment with a focus on operational continuity.
• Deep understanding of business continuity principles and technology resilience frameworks.
• IT project management skills (ideally PRINCE2 certified).
• ITIL Foundation certification preferred.
• Experience working with Legal, Compliance, Risk functions, and senior stakeholders on operational readiness initiatives.
• Broad technical understanding of infrastructure stacks (e.g., networking, virtualisation, storage)

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in strengthening the operational resilience framework of a leading financial institution, ensuring compliance with critical regulatory requirements like DORA. You'll lead impactful disaster recovery projects, collaborate with senior stakeholders, and drive enhancements to technology resilience practices across the EMEA region. This role is ideal for candidates with experience in positions such as Technology Resilience and Disaster Recovery Manager, IT Resilience and Continuity Lead, Operational Resilience and Disaster Recovery Specialist, Technology Continuity and Testing Manager, or Disaster Recovery and Operational Readiness Manager.

Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd is a leading independent tech recruitment consultancy in the UK. For every CV sent to clients, we donate £1 to The Born Free Foundation. We are a Climate Action Workforce in partnership with Ecologi. If this role isn't right for you, explore our referral reward program with payouts at interview and placement milestones. Visit our website for details. Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd acts as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.