Head of Applications and Data

Nous is a great place to work…

Nous Group is an international management consultancy with over 750 people working across Australia and New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and Canada. We are a values-based organisation that is inspired and determined to improve people’s lives in significant ways. Working in unique, cross-disciplinary teams we offer innovative advice and deliver enduring solutions that transform businesses, governments, and communities. We realise a bigger idea of success. Nous Group is proud to be recognised as a Great Place to Work in the UK, Canada, and Australia, reflecting our expanding global influence and success. Nous consistently garners accolades as an exceptional workplace through various competitive reviews. We've been acknowledged as one of LinkedIn’s Top Companies for career growth in Australia and have been awarded Best Management Consulting Firm by the Australian Financial Review on multiple occasions.

Nous has an exciting opportunity for a Head of Applications and Data to join our IT team, reporting to the CIO. This  permanent, full-time position offers the flexibility of a hybrid working model, including time in our state-of-the-art office at Melbourne Quarter on Collins St – a space designed to inspire innovation and collaboration.

We are seeking an accomplished and hands-on, senior technology leader to steer our high performing Applications and Data team, driving unparallel value through cutting edge technology solutions. This role requires a blend of deep technical knowledge across diverse platforms and exceptional leadership abilities to mentor, coach and inspire your team.

The role:

The Applications and Data team (team of 5) is responsible for the following areas:

• Support and enhancements for all enterprise applications that Nous use internally (primarily 3rd party SaaS, with heavy focus on Salesforce and Microsoft, but many others)
• Engage with stakeholders across the business to understand needs, manage expectations, and deliver technology solutions that align with business goals
• Project management, business analysis and technical delivery of a wide variety of projects to implement application or data solutions internally
• Management of Nous’ data assets, including data warehouse, ETL and reporting (Azure + Power BI)
• Management of system integrations and automations (low-code tools such as Logic Apps)
• Vendor and commercial management, pertaining to all applications and data suppliers
• Ensure all applications and data solutions adhere to cybersecurity best practices and compliance standards, particularly ISO 27001

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Applications and Data team to ensure the delivery of high-quality technology solutions
• Provide leadership and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders to identify needs, manage expectations, and prioritize initiatives for maximum impact
• Act as a key point of contact for stakeholders regarding application and data-related matters
• Manage the portfolio of 3rd party SaaS business applications, ensuring suitability to Nous needs, cost/budget alignment, security and integration alignment
• Manage a number of vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and facilitate constructive, supportive relationships
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritise business requirements for applications and data initiatives, including those related to AI
• Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of application systems to enhance business operations
• Oversee software development efforts, including custom development and low-code platforms, to deliver business-aligned applications and integrations
• Ensure data integrity, security, and availability through effective data governance and best practices
• Manage the integration of new technologies and software to improve efficiency and productivity
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of applications and data systems, identifying areas for improvement
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations related to data management and application development
• Prepare and manage budgets for applications and data projects, ensuring cost-effective solutions
• Stay up to date with emerging trends and technologies in applications and data management, as well as AI
• Ensure all application and data systems adhere to ISO 27001 standards, collaborating with Cybersecurity teams to maintain compliance and security best practices
• Support audit processes and maintain documentation required for certifications and compliance reporting
• Follow structured change management processes to ensure all changes are approved, communicated, and implemented with minimal disruption to business operations

You are:

• An exceptional communicator, both written and verbally
• A person with strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build relationships across the business and influence
• A person with exceptional attention to detail and thorough in approach
• Able to understand the business problem/intent and think beyond the technical

A bit about you:

• 10+ years’ experience in roles across IT application support/engineering, data and integrations development
• Experience leading, coaching and mentoring technology teams of similar size
• Proven experience in professional services environments, with an understanding of project-based workflows, time tracking, and client engagement
• Technical experience in the following areas (required)
  • Salesforce platform (including system administration, data structures, flows)
  • Microsoft ecosystem (Teams, SharePoint, Entra, Azure, Power Automate/Logic Apps)
  • Managing a reporting suite such as Power BI, including the design, delivery, and maintenance of business reporting solutions
  • Experience with Azure OpenAI Services and its integration into business applications
• Technical experience in these systems is also highly regarded: Identity and Access Management (including Okta), ITSM systems (such as FreshService), Atlassian products (such as Confluence)
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in IT, computer science, engineering, or similar essential
• Experience managing vendors and commercial management

Finally, the important details…

Nous is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Nous is a flexible workplace that offers consulting opportunities on a full-time and part-time basis. To apply for a role at Nous in Australia you must have Australian Permanent Residency or right to work in Australia. Please note if you are successful in the recruitment process, you will be required to undertake background screening prior to your commencement at Nous.