Business & Commercial Management Senior Manager

We have an exciting new opportunity for an Business & Commercial Management Senior Manager to join our IT Business Operations team in Belfast.

The Team

IT Business Operations acts as the vital link between technology delivery and the business outcomes that matter most to the organization. Its purpose is to ensure IT runs as a reliable, efficient, and value‑driven enterprise function—translating strategy into execution, aligning resources to priorities, and continuously improving how IT delivers. Focus is on strategic planning and alignment with business goals; financial management and value realization; operational performance reporting; design and governance of operating model; resource and capacity management; non-technical risk compliance and controls orchestration; vendor and partner management and communications strategy and execution.

The Role

As a member of the IT Business Operations leadership team, this role is responsible for developing and managing the Global IT financial and commercial management strategy, framework and delivery. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer of IT and Shared Services, the role oversees financial management and value realization, drives cost optimization and operational efficiency, and ensures robust financial governance, compliance, and advisory support.

What you will do

• Serve as the primary authority for IT financial and commercial management, providing expert guidance to technical teams when required.
• Collaborate with Finance to implement and enhance IT financial management frameworks and serve as the main point of contact to Finance for all matters related to IT financial matters
• Lead the development and oversight of multi-year IT budgeting and forecasting, establishing assumptions and parameters in alignment with Group Finance standards.
• Work closely with senior leaders to align IT budgets across sub-functions, resolve enterprise-level challenges, and ensure optimal value for money.
• Oversee global IT financial management activities, including forecasting, expenditure monitoring, and executive reporting, providing clear insights and recommendations on financial performance.
• Proactively identify opportunities for cost savings and drive continuous improvement throughout IT operations.
• Regularly review project financials, including post-implementation benefit realization.
• Develop business cases and models for total cost of ownership (TCO) and return on investment (ROI) to support investment decisions.
• Partner with Procurement and the CTO to shape and manage IT sourcing strategies (in-house, co-sourced, outsourced), define preferred suppliers, and establish vendor policies and agreements.
• Strengthen relationships with strategic IT suppliers by collaborating with Procurement and IT senior leaders to design and execute vendor management processes, analyze performance, mitigate risks, and maximize value.
• Work with the IT Business Operations leadership team to develop and maintain a balanced scorecard, providing regular reports on progress against global IT objectives, key goals, KPIs, and non-technical risk indicators.
• Contribute to the cross-functional integration of the IT department as part of the IT Business Operations leadership team.

What you will have

• Significant experience in IT commercial management, financial frameworks and governance processes.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of financial management, cost management and vendor management concepts as well as their operational implementation
• Familiarity with financial and procurement frameworks, policies and controls
• Proven project management capabilities
• Up to date knowledge of current IT and data market trends and technology innovations
• Well versed in standard enterprise IT.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and communication abilities
• Proven capability to lead and develop team members (including cross-functional 'virtual teams).
• Robust business acumen and deep understanding of how the firm's global market positioning
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with strong numerical reasoning skills.
• Skilled at navigating ambiguity and managing conflicting priorities.
• Professional accounting qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Experience within the legal or professional services sector s desirable.

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

At A&O Shearman we operate a 60:40 working policy, and the requirement is that you must work from the office a minimum for 3 days per week. We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If this role is not of interest we may have another suitable opportunity here for you at A&O Shearman Visit our careers portal at A&O Shearman Careers and submit your CV to our Talent Network to be notified when the perfect opportunity becomes available.