Freelance Head of Enterprise Applications & Platforms | Dutch Speaker

Contract Duration: 12 months Start Date: ASAP Industry: Financial Services Candidate's profile: Strong experience within financial services About the Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Head of Enterprise Applications & Platforms to join a major financial institution in the Netherlands on a contract basis. This is a senior leadership opportunity to establish, structure and lead a new Enterprise Applications & Platforms department within a complex IT organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for consolidating shared IT services, improving standardisation and reuse, reducing bespoke solutions and shaping the strategic direction of enterprise applications, platforms and data services. The department comprises approximately 100 FTE, including internal employees and external professionals, with two Section Heads reporting directly to this position. Key Responsibilities - Establish, structure and lead the new Enterprise Applications & Platforms department. - Manage approximately 100 FTE, including internal and external resources. - Develop and execute the strategy for enterprise applications, platforms and data services. - Drive enterprise-wide standardisation, consolidation and rationalisation initiatives. - Promote shared platforms, reusable solutions and consistent IT service delivery. - Ensure the quality, continuity, stability and ongoing development of enterprise applications and platforms. - Lead organisational transformation and change programmes to reduce complexity across the IT landscape. - Advise executive leadership and senior stakeholders on strategic application and platform decisions. - Collaborate with business and technology leaders to align IT capabilities with organisational objectives. Required Experience & Qualifications - Master's degree or equivalent level of professional expertise. - Minimum five years of senior leadership experience within complex IT environments. - Proven experience managing large IT departments of 100+ FTE. - Demonstrated success establishing new organisational units and leading organisational transformation. - Strong knowledge of enterprise applications, including HR, Finance and corporate support systems. - Experience with enterprise platforms, shared IT services and data services. - Proven ability to deliver application rationalisation, standardisation and platform consolidation programmes. - Strong stakeholder management skills with experience operating at executive and board-facing levels. - Strategic mindset combined with the ability to drive operational execution and organisational change. - Experience within banking, financial services or other highly regulated, complex enterprise environments is advantageous. Interested? If you have a strong background in enterprise applications and platforms, have successfully led large IT organisations and are available for a new contract opportunity, we would like to hear from you. Please apply or get in touch directly to discuss the opportunity in confidence. apoleij@redglobal.com